Young Entrepreneurs Africa SUMMER PROGRAM - GUIDE FOR MENTORS

In Ghana this august? want to do some cool and useful volunteer work for the greater good? check out the program from my friends at Young Entrepreneurs Africa.

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Introduction
Young Entrepreneurs, Africa (YE,A) is a not-for-profit organization that empowers underprivileged young Africans to develop themselves and Africa through entrepreneurship.

A thriving private sector is key to driving growth in capitalist economies. The right blend of fresh ideas from creative entrepreneurs, solid business models, and good management teams often determines the success of new enterprises.

Yet, only a tiny percentage of underprivileged students obtain tertiary-level education, and too many African countries' secondary-level education leave these students ill-equipped to contribute to the private sector. It is in Africa's interests for this segment of the population to contribute their creativity and business acumen towards developing the continent through enterprise.

This summer, YE,A plans on launching and running an intensive 4 week program that creates an environment for its participants to nurture their creative instincts, develop their business acumen, and learn by actually becoming entrepreneurs. The organization offers participants an opportunity to work in small teams to develop ideas and start up and run a business.

We believe that this experience will teach our participants important lessons about starting a business and working in a structured environment, critical skills they will need to thrive on an emerging continent.


Mission
Our mission is to empower underprivileged young Africans to develop themselves and Africa through entrepreneurship.

Objectives
YE,A's main objectives are to help its participants to:

* nurture their creativity and business talent
* prepare to face business challenges in the future
* identify pain points and opportunities in their immediate environment
* instill a culture of effective teamwork in starting up business ventures
* teach them the impact of entrepreneurship on the development of Africa
* create and maintain network of young entrepreneurs, across the continent, who will use share creative ideas on how they can help develop the continent

Operational Plan

YE,A targets 14- to 18- year-old students in secondary schools.
Each team, consisting of up to seven members, will:
* Organize itself as it deems appropriate, working together, but with individuals selected to assume the responsibilities of Chief Executive, Finance Director, Marketing Director, Sales Director, etc.
* Generate business ideas and pick one idea for a business
o Each business idea must focus on using any resources available to them to provide a product or service that others are willing to buy
* Write a business plan for their idea
* Raise capital by pitching their idea to YE,A, our corporate partners, or any other individuals or organizations of their choosing in exchange for "shares" in their company
o To keep teams on a level playing field and avoid turning this into a fund-raising exercise, YE,A caps the limit any team may raise at $500
o The business idea they come up with must be one that will be beneficial to the society
* Set up operations and attempt to grow their businesses

The summer program will be intensive and will run over a 4 week period during the long (summer) vacation.


YE,A will set up a mentorship programme, in which mentors will meet with the teams they are assigned to, daily, to guide them in setting up their business processes. The role of the mentor is merely to advise teams; mentors may not make any decisions for any team. The mentors are individuals - local or foreign business owners, MBA graduates, teachers, artists etc - who believe in the vision of YE,A.

YE,A will also arrange for visiting speakers to offer insights on strategy, finance, and other business practices during the programme.

Realizing reward for hard work is part of the entrepreneur's reality. At the end of the programme, YE,A will judge businesses from the various teams and reward members of the winning project with:

1) paid internship opportunities for all six team members in a business development role in partner company/start-up AND
2) Up to $1,000 seed capital to develop their idea further.

Each project will be judged on the basis of:
1. Creativity of business idea
2. Implementation of idea
3. Synergy of team; ability to work together cohesively
4. Record-keeping and presentation

Mentor Roles and Responsibilities
YE,A seeks to recruit individuals with a mix of skills and experience to serve as mentors. These individuals will be committed to the organization's cause, believe in its mission and be willing to share their knowledge with the students.

We ask mentors to:
1. Commit to spending a minimum of two weeks in Ghana in order to take part in this program.
2. Be present at all meetings. The program runs Mondays through Fridays, 9am through 2:30pm. Fridays will be set aside for team building activities, workshops and site visits.
Each team has two mentors. In the event, that one mentor is not able to attend a session, please ensure the other is present.
3. Teach basic business models
4. Offer advice and guidance ONLY. We want the students to use their creativity to take initiative and think
critically
5. Track use of funds
6. Provide moral support (only for competition)
7. Fill out evaluation sheets during every other meeting. We will use these to assess the progress of the students as they go through the program
8. Be present at the launch and/or the closing event for this summer program

Dates

August 1st, 2011 through August 26th, 2011

More Information for Non-Ghanaian mentors

YE,A will provide information on flights.
We understand that the cost involved is high and will subsidize it by providing accommodation, some meals and free transportation to and from the location.
Guided tours to some significant historic and cultural sites such as the Cape Coast Castle, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Kakum Forest etc., will be offered for those interested.


Deadline to sign up to be a mentor: July 7th, 2011

Contact:
If you are interested in being a mentor or have any questions, please contact Kobby Adams at adrian.adams@gmail.com or +233 27 7551957 in Ghana
Lindy Larson at lindy.larson@gmail.com or +44 07904611229 in the UK
Arthur Toole at Atoole3@gmail.com or +1 210 842 0026 in the US

For more information about YE,A:

‘Like’ our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Entrepreneurs-Africa-YEA/131637969587

and Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/yeaonline

South African Kid Phenom, Vicus...Whoa!

Chale, this 10 year old South African kid Vicus...crushing bieber fever. i know i know, it's not a competition. but this right here! past dope. big up to Doc who put me on this. enjoy the vid tho. I hope it goes viral already. only MJ sang that good at that age. what do u think? BTW i haven't blogged in forever so might as well slip in a plug. go ahead and get my new jawn, "One night only" feat eLDee the Don. On itunes. peace

We're taking Giant Steps Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is going to be epic! i bs u not. check the list (below) of workshop presenters and panelists going to be at Giant Steps conference tomorrow Oct 1st. It reads like a who is who in arts and entrepreneurship fields! Twill be at the Neighborhood house on the west side of St. Paul! Still a chance to register today!

Ashanti Abdullah - Artist Management
Ta-coumba Aiken - Artist, Muralist, Activist, Educator
Kevin Beacham - Social Media Manager: Fifth Element, DJ
Nichelle Bell - Founder LITT Magazine, IT Consultant
Maurice Blanks - Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Blu Dot
Desdamona - Artist, Co-founder of B Girl Be, Educator
Marcus Genzlinger - Web Designer, Entrepreneur
Jon Goodman - Founder, JGoods LLC
Crystal Grobe - Food Writer, WCCO.com
Jon Hallberg, M.D. - Medical Director, Mill City Clinic
Diallo Hall - Founder, AddisTunes
Jamal Hashi - Chef, Co-Owner Safari Express
Maria Isa - Artist, Actor, Founder SotaRico Productions
Aaron Keller - Founding Partner and Managing Principal, Capsule. Author
Brendan BK-One Kelly - Artist, Dj/Producer
Ken Kunkle - Attorney, Kunkle Law PLC
Crista Lentsch - Business banking officer, U.S Bank
Kyle Myhre - Artist, Activist, National Slam Poetry Champion
Chris Osgood - Vice-President of Organizational Development, McNally-Smith
Rhea Pappas - Photographer, Educator, Community Organizer
T Mychael Rambo - Emmy award Winning Actor, Educator, Vocalist, Organizer
Jon Rasmussen - Executive Director, Midway Contemporary Art
Blake Richardson - Sake Brewer, Owner: Moto-I, Herkimer
Brent Siddiq Sayers - Co-founder/CEO Rhymesayers Ent
Danny Schwartzman - Owner/Founder Common Roots Cafe
Ben Shardlow - Community Developer, Co--Founder of Give & Take Works Progress
Nichole Smaglick - Founder and President, Another Land
Andrea Swensson - Music Editor (The City Pages)
Toki Wright - Artist, Organizer, Educator

Also peep the trailer...


Plus there will be an early concert 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Cause soundbar and spirits with me and Desdamona! pow

Katrah-Quey is a genius. Makings of...

...street symphony. wow how did i miss this? one of the first songs i recorded for "manifestations!" he takes u thru the sample and editorializes a likkle bit. don't front on fruity loops people. i've put audio of the full song beneath it too. shouts to my guy KQ! and Ado who loves this song. i'm all nostalgic now



here's the song



Get manifestations on SALE here or here on itunes!

Celebrating "Manifestations" - 8.99 (shipping included) sale!

To celebrate the 3-year anniversary of "manifestations," I've put it on sale for only $8.99 (shipping included!) for the next week. There are only a few copies of the original pressing left. Buy a copy for yourself, for a friend and family member! This album was awarded top 5 albums of the year by the Star Tribune, and top 10 albums by the City Pages. Re-released in Europe by Jakarta Records/Groove Attack. Get yours! Much respect to all of you who copped the record and helped to put me in a position where i am now as a full time artist. spread the word! I've written a short reflection piece below.


Sept 11 2007 i shared "manifestations," my first musical child, with the world. It was an act of faith. no record label backing, going the independent route, balancing time i didn't have (i had a full time job with a non-profit at the same time), and having to let go of artistic anxieties of this not being good enough. I remember days upon days agonizing with my friend and manager Ashanti about how we were going to find money to press CD's and do all the printing and promo stuff. Writing and recording the music was the "easy" part. Then out of the blue i worked on a pepsi jingle through Asche and Spencer which ended up being chosen by pepsi to be used for radio ads and as their theme music on their website! God sent i tell you. Finally some mullah landed into my lap, and i could do for myself what many of my peers were waiting for a record label to do for them.

3 years later i can only give thanks that folks all around the world not only liked the record, but actually were generous enough to buy it! 3 years later i'm now a full time artist. 3 years later i've been able to tour many cities in America, played incredible shows and big festivals in Europe, had some amazing critical reviews, met some amazing fans/kinfolk and accidentally made some more good music along the way. There are so many to thank for manifestations which in all honesty was a group effort from me and my 4shades crew.

Much respect to all the amazing producers i worked with: O-d, G Mo, Katrah-Quey, Sebmaestria, B-Live, Dela (Dee), M.A, Coptic. Much respect to the artists who contributed their vocal talents to the record: Desdamona, Checkmate, Wanlov the Kubolor, Evil Twin, Mandi, Nisreen. To Mahdee Abdullah for the hilarious skits. To Ashanti for helping to make it happen and bearing with my stubborn self. And of course for the scratches on "Street Symphony" u were never credited for! haha. To roli, for being the critical ear. To Joe Mabbott for mastering the record. To Jonah for the artwork - good lookin! To Mikal for the link to Jonah. To Biq Quarters, I Self Devine, Maria Isa for playing the Cd release party. To Paul Yutaka for doing the website and all sorts of random stuff i needed - much appreciated. And to all of you who bought the records, burnt copy, or sent a link to somebody, or ever gave me critiques and/or words of encouragement. Much love
M dododotidoh

To all my friends that ever lost their minds…

To all my friends that ever lost their minds…
Only to find it was a good thing to lose
Cause in the mind is where fear dwells
And a life of fear, is a life that might as well be hell
might appear fear is a basic instinct
Not something you hear, but something u see in a baby for instance
For some, fear is a driver. And they’re passengers going the distance
Seatbelt strapped in so tight it’s hard to put up a resistance
Does a market for fear exist?
perhaps I should check with ebay and craigslist.
fear is on my shitlist for all the times I was scared shitless
so I try to leave my fears behind, or give some to the devil for Christmas.
he deserves it.
when fear grips me and my tears are ‘bout to well up
I remember “fear is a darkroom where negatives develop”
At least that’s what some old bloke wrote
Seems like a remarkable quote.
All good things must come to an end? true indeed tho'
So is this prose about to end? I’m afraid so.

M.anifest - Been crazy before ft. I Self Devine & Checkmate (prod O-D) by manifestive

Africology!

Africology is very fresh, so jump on the bandwagon before the wagon gets congested :). www.africologymedia.com. They came thru to Le poisson Rouge for the Alternative Apparel showcase i played at the night before Africa Express in Spain. I spit some bars, they ask some questions, and then there's a likkle footage of yours truly performing blackstar over there. enjoy. My NYC folks always show mucho love. Big up to Gibril, Kalab and Ado.
Holleration
M dododotidoh

M.anifest on Africology from Africology on Vimeo.