Young women from around the world who are gifted in the fields of music, dance, stage performance, or acting will come together and participate in this year's International Competition. The week long event will be held on the beautiful island of Tortola, the largest of the islands in the British Virgin Islands. The Talented Teen Summit will take place from Saturday, July 12th through Sunday, July 20th. The Talented Teens and HJTTI Directors will stay at the International official hotel, Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas.

Harold "Hal" Jackson, Group Chairman of Inner City Broadcasting and founder of the New York City based Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Program (HJTTI), is searching for the world's most talented teen participating in his annual scholarship competition.

"I am pleased to announce that our special International Teen Competition this year will be held on the beautiful island of Tortola," said Hal Jackson. "We have been able to offer thousands of young women from around the world the opportunity to receive educational scholarships and trips abroad while sharing their gifts of talent on a professional stage." The theme of this year's event is "The Best is Yet to Come."

The event is sponsored by The Youth Development Foundation which provides a support system for young women and offers exposure to the entertainment industry, encourages cross-culture exchange, and nurtures emerging talent from around the world while providing training, educational scholarships, and travel opportunities for these young women. HJTTI has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships and prizes to its participants over the 37 years of its existence. Some of the past winners of HJTTI are Jada Pinkett Smith, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Vanessa Williams.

"I believe in giving back and have all my life extended a hand to others to encourage them to be the very best they can be," stated Mr. Jackson. "Debi and I look forward to bringing our competition to the BVI and awarding this year's participants with an intercultural experience in the BVI as well as scholarships to the colleges of their choice." HJTTI wishes to thank our sponsors ICBC Broadcast Holdings, Inc., the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, B Mobile, the Department of Culture, Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas, Tropical Shipping, American Airlines, and Ramapo College of New Jersey.