Mission:
To assist
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and MIs in developing
a comprehensive entrepreneurship, financial literacy, career development, and
coaching curriculum that is particularly relevant in preparing young African
American and others to:
1. Develop an entrepreneurial
mindset to become more effective and successful in the corporate world.
2. Become successful
entrepreneurs by avoiding costly mistakes.
3. Contribute to the
generational wealth creation.
The program also aims to
stimulate students' interest in entrepreneurship and provide them with the
experience of conceiving business ventures and preparing and presenting
business plans.
Finally, the program also
provides training and networking opportunities to current minority
entrepreneurs so that they can move up to the next level.
HBCU/MI Students' Business Plan Competition: This is a central part of our program. Each participating school holds an internal competition on business plan development and presentation. The winner from each school's internal competition is invited to compete in the national business plan competition in Atlanta. The winner of the national competition may have the opportunity to participate in international competitions. This program offers students entrepreneurial opportunities and experiences, enabling them to apply their conceptual and theoretical knowledge in a fast-paced business environment.
Special Financial Literacy, Career Development, and Coaching Training Program: This program is designed for students and local community members in each participating HBCUs and MIs and their home territories. It aims to enhance financial knowledge and empower individuals to make informed financial decisions.
HBCU/MI Dean/Faculty Development Forum on Entrepreneurship and Innovation: This is another integral component of our program. Each year, business school deans and faculty members are invited to attend an intensive seminar conducted by leading entrepreneurship scholars and practitioners from across the country. The objective is to incorporate entrepreneurship into the curricula of HBCUs and MIs, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students.
The Presidential Policy Forum on Entrepreneurship and Innovation: This forum brings together academic, business, foundation, government, and other entrepreneurial leaders to address minority entrepreneurship education and innovation issues. The forum encourages active involvement in preparing African American and other minority individuals to become successful entrepreneurs.
Diversity Recruitment Fair: This fair invites senior human resources and other executives from major corporations to meet over 200 top students from various HBCUs and MIs. Executives receive the resumes of participating students in advance and have the opportunity to connect with selected students over breakfast on Friday morning of the program week. They can observe students as they present their follow-up interviews with selected students and extend final offers. We strongly encourage companies to make final offers by Saturday evening of the program week, before the Awards Dinner event. Our program has a proven track record of providing the best ROI for companies that have partnered with us in the past.
Minority Entrepreneurs Training and Networking: A special group of minority entrepreneurs will be invited to join this historic program. This will be an excellent opportunity for them to network with top-level leaders from corporations, government, military, academia, and other areas to promote their businesses. There will be special training sessions for them as well to learn how to move to the next level. All student participants will be able to interact with this group and gain real-life feedback on entrepreneurship.
Together, these components create a comprehensive program aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, providing valuable networking opportunities, and equipping participants with the necessary skills for success.
