Jegna Klub Scales Youth Power in Media, Money, and Workforce Development with National Network Backing

By David Rubin 

Adapted by Levi Lee for local publication

Kansas City, KS — April 2026

A Kansas City, Kansas–based nonprofit is gaining national attention for redefining how young people—particularly those closest to the juvenile justice system—gain access to opportunity, economic mobility, and media ownership.

The Jegna Klub, a youth development organization rooted in digital media, financial literacy, and workforce readiness, has announced a national partnership with New Solutions Network (NSN), expanding its youth‑driven model across new platforms and audiences. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that when young people are given both a voice and viable economic tools, they can shape—not just survive—their futures.

“This is about shifting young people from consumers of media to owners of it,” said Coach Mo, co‑founder of The Jegna Klub. “When youth understand how stories are told and how money moves, they gain power over both.”

From Local Studio to National Reach

Created by educator and behavior intervention specialist Coach Mo alongside music industry veteran Tone Henderson, the Jegna Klub blends hands‑on media production with entrepreneurship and real‑world workforce preparation. Youth participants learn audio and video production, editing, interviewing, broadcasting standards, and storytelling—skills directly tied to career pathways in media and beyond.

Through platforms such as Jegna Klub TV Network, JEGNAFEST Worldwide Radio, and JegnaTalk For Youth By Youth syndicated through national radio networks, participants take on professional roles typically reserved for industry insiders. Youth are responsible for production planning, interviewing, editing, music clearance, and broadcast compliance—earning marketable experience rather than simulated training.

The partnership with New Solutions Network amplifies this work by distributing youth‑produced content across nationally recognized media platforms while connecting The Jegna Klub to broader systems focused on behavioral science, wellness, and social impact.

Connecting The Dottes: Media as Workforce Pathway

At the heart of The Jegna Klub’s work is Connecting The Dottes, an evidence‑based multimedia internship program serving justice‑involved and system‑adjacent youth in Wyandotte County. Grounded in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, Connecting The Dottes combines:

• Consistent mentorship and positive adult relationships

  
  

• Character and life‑skills development

  
  

• Hands‑on learning in STEAM, digital media, and entrepreneurship

  
  

• Client‑connected projects tied to real employers and audiences

  
  

Operating from the organization’s headquarters on Quindaro Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, the program emphasizes wrap‑around support, relational trust, and real‑world accountability. Youth are not only learning market value assets—they are building professional identity, communication confidence, and pathways to employment.

Integrating Wellness, Discipline, and Community Partnerships

Recognizing that skill development alone is not enough, The Jegna Klub continues to strengthen its holistic approach by partnering with organizations addressing emotional regulation, trauma‑informed care, and physical wellness.

Ongoing collaboration with Dr. Natanya Wachtel and the New Solutions Network integrates behavioral science and trauma‑informed practices into media training and workforce preparation. This approach supports youth in navigating stress, regulation, and identity development alongside professional skill‑building.

New community partnerships—including One Community Jiu Jitsu Club and First Call KC—expand the program’s ecosystem to include physical discipline, emotional resilience, prevention services, and family‑connected support. Together, these relationships reinforce engagement, stability, and long‑term success.

“Media becomes a tool for regulation, reflection, and self‑advocacy,” Coach Mo explained. “We’re not just training young people to produce content—we’re helping them learn who they are and how they show up in the world.”

A Mission Rooted in Culture and Ownership

The organization’s name—Jegna—comes from Ethiopian tradition, meaning protector, provider, and one who speaks truth to power. That definition guides The Jegna Klub’s mission: protecting youth from cycles of marginalization by equipping them with credentials, confidence, and ownership of their creative work.

Rather than treating justice‑involved youth as a risk to be managed, The Jegna Klub positions them as storytellers, producers, and contributors with something valuable to say—and the skills to be compensated for saying it.

As the organization continues to grow its national media footprint, its core focus remains unchanged: building economic independence, social capital, and workforce readiness—one young person at a time.