Lauryn Hill, a singer, offered her platform to promote micro-businesses run by students from the East Orange Mayor's Office of Employment and Training Summer Work Experience Program. The students participated in a Pop-Up Shop at the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour and showcased their clothing, customized sneakers, natural beauty products, art, and accessories. Hill was impressed by the students' innovation and hard work and decided to support them. The Teen Entrepreneurship Program, which is part of the SWEP, was run by MOET Manager LaDonna Johns and led by Jamila T. Davis, a friend and colleague of Lauryn Hill [c58f8de6].
In a related development, Mastercard has launched the Elevate program to support solopreneurs, particularly Black business owners. The program, developed in collaboration with Our Village United (OVU), offers mentoring, coaching, and access to knowledge and capital to help solopreneurs develop their skills in business operations and digital literacy. OVU's founder, Lakeysha 'Dr. Key' Hallmon, emphasizes the importance of a supportive community and representation in entrepreneurship [9ef57451].
As part of the Elevate program, entrepreneurs recently had the opportunity to compete for grant money. Khadijah Ford, a solopreneur specializing in highly-decorated cookies, won the first place prize of $25,000. Ford plans to use the funds to expand her business and improve packaging and shipping. This event highlights the challenges faced by solopreneurs and the need for programs like Elevate to provide support and resources [9ef57451].
In another event promoting entrepreneurship, TEDxLagos and Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) organized a mental empowerment session for 100 women entrepreneurs in tech and creative sectors at LAPO corporate headquarters in Lagos. The session aimed to boost their businesses and inspire other women to strive for success. The theme of the session was 'Inspiring Inclusion'. LAPO, a pro-women financial institution, expressed its commitment to supporting women and promoting gender equity and financial inclusivity. GOXI Micro insurance company Ltd, a partner of LAPO, offered insurance cover for entrepreneurs in the micro and small medium brackets. The company emphasized the importance of resilience, perseverance, and equal opportunities for all genders. The event received positive feedback and support from participants and organizers [3a21c6a9].
Renowned 'Shark Tank' investor Daymond John and Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Brunson Elementary School in Austin, Chicago to introduce students to the principles of entrepreneurship through John's new book, 'Little Daymond Learns to Earn'. The library at Brunson, which had previously faced closure, reopened last year and serves as a hub for creativity and exploration. John and the Mayor emphasized to the children that they are the future business leaders and innovators of Chicago. A CPS parent has pledged to donate 4,000 copies of John's book to Chicago Public Schools [ef9c3c67].
Rob Dube, Co-Founder of Entrepreneurial Leap, has shared the secret to balancing success and inner peace in his book 'Shine'. The book provides 10 practical disciplines for entrepreneurs to achieve fulfillment and peace. These disciplines include '10-year thinking' to focus on long-term success, delegating routine tasks to focus on high-impact activities, saying no to maintain clarity and purpose, and practicing humility and gratitude. Dube emphasizes that by focusing on what truly matters, entrepreneurs can achieve fulfillment and peace [6fa00ce0].
Julia Stewart, CEO and founder of Alurx, attributes her success to her parents, who were both high school teachers. She became IHOP's first-ever female CEO in 2002 and later led a risky takeover of Applebee's, creating the company Dine Brands. Stewart emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and seeking feedback, as well as recognizing that one doesn't have to be the smartest person in the room to be a successful leader [79f4c20a].