Actor Bill Cobbs wants the youth of Rocky Mount to have opportunities he didn't.

Growing up in Cleveland, there were ways he wanted to express himself artistically but the facilities just weren't there.

Telegram photo / Alan Campbell (ENLARGE)

Bill Cobbs will speak at the Teen Summit sponsored by Down East Performing Arts Inc.

"It was very frustrating and made me lose confidence in myself and made me lose confidence in life and the world. I had the frustration of feeling, ... 'Because there is no opportunity, I am going to lose something,'" said Cobbs, who played supporting roles in "Night at the Museum" and "The Ultimate Gift."

On a trip last week to Rocky Mount, Cobbs saw a reflection of that difficult part of his childhood. It is part of the reason he agreed to speak at an upcoming local teen conference.

Cobbs is one of several speakers participating in "Teen Summit," a free substance abuse prevention conference for middle and high school students, said Doris Marshburn, founder of Down East Performing Arts Inc., a community performing arts program. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Keihin Auditorium and surrounding classrooms at Edgecombe Community College.

Janice Petersen, director of the N.C. Office of Prevention, and several other speakers will focus on education and coping skills for some of the heaviest issues facing today's teens, including pregnancy, obesity, substance abuse, bullying, gangs and AIDS.

"If we can prevent some of these things from happening, then students will be able to make some wise decisions," Marshburn said.

Inviting Cobbs is part of an effort to show local youth that achievements in performing arts are within their reach, Marshburn said.

Cobbs, who didn't begin acting until he was 36, will encourage them to pursue finding a way to express themselves though the arts.

"I find the arts a great way to enhance self-awareness, self-confidence, self-esteem and to have a great time while you're doing it," said Cobbs of Upland, Calif.

Registration for "Teen Summit" is open to all sixth- to 12th-graders, Marshburn said.

For more information or to register, call 314-9064.