Baltimore native and record executive Kevin Liles kicks off his Make It Happen Summer Business Academy this week. The entrepreneurship education program for 30 specially selected 10th and 11th graders runs through August 5, 2011 at Morgan State University. The Make It Happen Foundation was started by Liles and his wife, Erika, to foster an environment for young people to realize their full potential.
Says Kevin Liles, “It is our responsibility to provide a platform for the next generation of leaders. At the MIHF Summer Business Academy, we plan to provide young passionate teens with the tools necessary to be entrepreneurs, innovators and future CEOs of corporations. In my continued efforts to make a difference, over the next two weeks participants will not only get educated, they will also get real time experience. I would like to thank my partners at LEAD and Morgan State University for believing in my vision and bringing the Academy to my hometown ofBaltimore.”
The program, which provides deserving economically disadvantaged youth with business training and exposure to higher education, is open to eligible sophomores/juniors who complete a 500-word essay and who are recommended by their teachers. “Inspired by LEAD” is a marketing initiative created by the LEAD Program, which is a national non-profit organization that focuses on bringing, “knowledge, interest and confidence to America’s brightest high school students to explore careers in business, science, engineering and technology.” The Make It Happen Foundation Summer Business Academies inaugural event will be hosted by Morgan State University, and the program will continue to expand to additional universities and institutions around the world. The experience includes field trips to local businesses where students can see their coursework in an applied setting and where they can network and meet business leaders. The capstone of the course involves team-based business plan projects where the winning groups will earn the opportunity to work as Production Assistants at a local Baltimore concert, back-stage passes and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the artists. Working behind-the-scenes will allow the youth to see the business and operations aspects from the inside.
Kudos to Kevin, it doesn’t get any more fab than giving back!
