With rising unemployment rates menacing the job prospects of many youth, the inaugural consortium of Youth Entrepreneurs Trade Show on Friday, Dec. 4, will provide a glimpse at how California State University, Fresno and partners are helping them think outside the box and create their own success.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will include text messaging, karaoke and bubble gum-blowing competitions to help motivate young entrepreneurs who also will learn how to sustain a business. The show begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at Arte Americas (1630 Van Ness Ave. in downtown Fresno).

It is presented by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State and the Central California Adolescent Development Corp., whose programs encourage tomorrow’s business leaders.

“Right now we are experiencing the highest unemployment rate in decades,” Senegal said. “Our youth will soon be entering this staggering and competitive workforce. We must promote entrepreneurship and get kids thinking out of the box about how they can make money for themselves.”

During lunch, the Youth Pioneer Hall of Fame Awards will be presented to John Shegerian of Electronic Recyclers; Nicole Giordano, Y101 radio personality and former host for CW 59; Steve Geil of the Economic Development Corp.; Pastor Shane Scott of Saints Rest Baptist Church; Keith Kelley of the Fresno West Coalition; Randall Cooper of the Fresno Parks & Recreation Division (Fresno Best Program); and Ken Blackwood of Fresno County SCORE, a national association dedicated to helping small business owners form and grow their businesses.

The awards recognize individuals who have helped cultivate youth entrepreneurism.

At the trade show, student businesses developed in the two sponsoring programs will be presented. They include innovative brain games, Web sites, fashion design and jewelry businesses that will be exhibited for investors, business professionals, parents and high school and college students, said Laneesha Senegal, director of the Adolescent Development Corp.

Informational workshops will help students learn how to staff a business, provide customer service, understand legal documents, communicate and network.

For more information, call 559.790.0993 or 559.294.2045 or visit www.lylescenter.com.