N.C. A&T Partners with Echoing Green for Inclusive Social Entrepreneurship Master Class

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2020) – Echoing Green, in partnership with Fund II Foundation, is bringing its Inclusive Social Entrepreneurship Master Class to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

A kick-off meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Dowdy Room 304. Food will be provided.

The eight-week virtual course is open to all students on a first-come, first-served basis with up to 45 participants. It is designed to allow participating students to dive deeper into solving a specific social challenge and help them refine a plan for action.

The class features guest facilitators, online sessions and access to an international network of social entrepreneurs. Students will conclude their class with a pitch session, providing an opportunity to seek funding and additional mentoring.

“This is an opportunity for N.C. A&T students to gain the necessary skills to create businesses and professional solutions to social issues impacting our communities,” said Bryle Henderson Hatch, Ph.D., the university’s executive director for community engagement.

Echoing Green, which has become the world’s largest seed-funder of social entrepreneurs over more than 30 years, developed the curriculum in collaboration with the Social Innovation and Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School. It aligns with a social entrepreneurship agenda that values diversity, equity and inclusion.

Through a multi-phase program, Echoing Green hopes to provide students with knowledge of specific problem-solving frameworks, an opportunity to engage with influencers in the field and, ultimately, a pathway to purpose-driven careers.

Fund II Foundation is involved in this effort as part of its mission to preserve the African American experience, safeguard human rights, provide music education, preserve the environment while promoting the benefits of the outdoors, and sustain critical American values such as entrepreneurship.

“N.C. A&T was chosen for this course as the initiative is specific to HBCUs and we expressed our passion for engagement and the commitment to social entrepreneurship, especially as we seek to enhance East Greensboro,” said Hatch. “Echoing Green felt that we were a perfect fit.”

For more information about the kickoff and other details about the course, email Hatch at bhhatch@ncat.edu.