NSBE - Winter 2010/2011 - 14

ThE ProgrAMs zoNE
CONTINUED frOM pAgE 13

to securing minority certifications. In October, the program launched with a series of bimonthly webinars, including a special two-part series on financial management facilitated by Ryan Mack. Mack is a regular contributor to CNN, the Huffington Post and other publications, including Tavis Smiley’s “The Covenant.” He plans to release his first book, “Living in the Village,” in early 2011. The book will teach financial literacy and showcase examples of individuals who have utilized financial literacy to empower their communities. His NSBE seminar taught basic fiscal management tips, as well as secrets of funding a new business with venture capital. The Committee will kick off 2011 with seminars from Shane and Shawn Ward, the founders of Shane and Shawn Shoes (www.shaneandshawn. com). Shane, who is an industrial design major, and Shawn, a former NSBE member who majored in mechanical engineering, have been featured on Access Hollywood, MTV’s Made, The Tyra Banks Show, in Black Enterprise magazine and in various other media outlets. The twin brothers recently launched Boardroom Rockstars (www. boardroomrockstars.com), a business development and brand consulting firm. Other scheduled presenters include former NSBE National Chairs Damaune Y. Journey (a Harvard M.B.A.) and Delano M. White, author of “Diary of a Mad Businessman: A Layman’s Guide to Starting a Business from the Ground Up,” and past NSBE National Executive Board member Michael Muse, president of Muse Recordings. The Small Business Association and the National Minority Supplier Development Council will also lead workshops. Attendees of the 2011 Annual Convention will have the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship through a specialized workshop track that will extend through the weekend in St. Louis. The Annual Convention will also feature the Elevator Pitch and Business Plan Competitions, now in their third year. The Elevator Pitch Competition will be open for all aspiring business owners. The Business Plan Competition
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will focus specifically on technology businesses. A panel of special guest judges will be on hand to give the participants feedback and advice on their ventures.

loNg-terM goAls
The Business Diversity Committee is also developing plans for beyond 2011. One objective is to develop the NSBEpreneur Training Institute into a full business incubator program. The Committee is creating a five-year strategic plan for the NSBEpreneur program that will focus on our organization’s spending patterns and present strategies to use NSBE’s dollars most effectively. A planned Supplier Diversity Initiative will also create opportunities for NSBEgrown businesses to work directly with our Board of Corporate Affiliates to secure contract opportunities. Cletus A. Phoenix, owner of an Ohiobased, minority-certified enterprise, Phoenix Construction, weighed in: “The Supplier Diversity Initiative is huge. There are millions, maybe billions of dollars specifically earmarked for minority-owned businesses that go unspent because the big companies and governments are unable to find companies capable of handling them. Most of these contracts start at six figures; a good portion are seven figures. If a community organization like NSBE can develop a program that produces results, it’s difficult to imagine the potential return.” NSBE prides itself on providing nextgeneration leaders for the companies, government agencies and academic institutions that support us. We are often referred to as the go-to outlet for finding technical talent. By 2015, the Business Diversity Committee hopes to position NSBE to become the premier outlet for technical entrepreneurs. Although it’s been nearly 20 years in the making, it’s a development that our members and other stakeholders clearly welcome. For more information about the NSBEpreneur program, visit www.nsbe. org, or contact the National Business Diversity Committee chair, Whitney B. Gaskins, at nebbusiness@nsbe.org. ■

the nsbe Retention Program
he number of black students receiving engineering degrees from U.S. colleges has never been high, and in recent years it has been sliding. Last year, only 3,078 black students received bachelor’s degrees in engineering nationwide, fewer than in 1999! Surveys suggest that one cause of the slide is a waning interest in engineering among U.S. students of all ethnicities. Almost surely a

NSBE’s national focus this year is on the Freshman Retention Program.
bigger factor, though, is the large percentage of black student who begin engineering programs but do not finish. The NSBE Retention Program was launched in Fall 2009 to improve the graduation rates of black students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program has separate components designed for freshmen, sophomores and juniors in college.

goAls AND FocUs
The goals of the NSBE Retention Program are as follows: Freshmen: Increase the number of firstyear prospective engineering students who successfully matriculate into a STEM major for their sophomore year. Sophomores: Increase interaction with faculty and staff, enhance personal development, expand leadership opportunities and assist in career path development.
www.nsbe.org

NSBE - Winter 2010/2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Winter 2010/2011