As part of Columbia Business School's ongoing partnership with the Manhattanville community, the School recently launched the First Generation Entrepreneurs Program.
Held this past summer, the new training program teaches high school juniors and seniors essential leadership, business development, accounting and bookkeeping skills, as well as website design.
The program partners with clients of the Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center so that students have the opportunity to receive hands-on experience consulting with small business owners in the local area while earning a stipend. Participating students must reside in the neighborhoods of Harlem, Inwood, Washington Heights, the Upper West Side, and the Bronx.
Funded by Wells Fargo Bank and sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, the program not only provides a flexible and stable income stream for participants, but also helps to increase access and representation in entrepreneurship within the local community and among young people of color.
The program held its graduation ceremony at Columbia University's Manhattanville Community Day on Oct. 22, where the high school participants received their certificates of completion and celebrated with their family and friends.
The School will offer the program again in the summer of 2023. Applications open in the spring.