Grant to Establish After-School Entrepreneur Program

September 1, 2000

Greensboro, NC: A grant by the North Carolina State Department of Crime Control and Public Safety will make possible an after-school entrepreneur program for youth, ages 16 to 18, residing in Durham County Public Housing. The program will be coordinated by North Carolina A&T State University and managed by James Miller, a Durham County Cooperative Extension agent.

According to Miller, the entrepreneur approach has particular value to young people in public housing communities, who often lack exposure to the potential success of self-employment.

"Being an entrepreneur requires a myriad of skills, as well as a high level of focus," said Miller. "This program will motivate young people to aspire to success, and it will take them through the development process required to attain that success. Even if they don't become entrepreneurs, the lessons that they will learn through the program are applicable to life as a working adult member of society."

Miller believes that participating in the program and pursuing goals will also help young people stay out of trouble.

Program participants will work their way through a curriculum consisting of six phases, including personal development, business skills development, financing and apprenticeship. They must complete requirements for each phase before moving to the next phase, eventually completing the program's pinnacle phase, "Starting a Business."

An advisory council consisting of community leaders, youth, public officials, business owners and others will assist in the planning and implementation of the program, and possibly, in mentoring the program's participants.

"The program will capitalize on existing partnerships and resources available in the area," said Miller, mentioning the Durham Housing Authority, the Durham Police Department and local universities, among others. "This will truly be a team effort, with each organization contributing their own expertise and capability."

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For more information, please contact James Miller, NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program, (919) 286-9758.