PITTSBURGH, Feb. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — BUILD.org is partnering with the Richard King Mellon Foundation (RKMF) to develop the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and changemakers. Spanning over four years, RKMF’s $1.2 million investment will be allocated to Allegheny and Westmoreland counties and will help to equip youth with an entrepreneurial mindset, develop their 21st century skills, and build their social capital.
"Today, students and educators need digital skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in our rapidly changing workplace. We are thrilled to partner with RKMF to bring youth entrepreneurship education to Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties."
Ayele Shakur
CEO at BUILD
The project kicks it off with the 2022 Southwestern PA Youth Pitch Competition which launched today! With this free, digital curriculum, Allegheny and Westmoreland county students and educators will flex their entrepreneurial muscles and mindsets to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights for their school and community. Students will embark on a journey of empathy, innovation, and collaboration to design campaigns, solutions, and products on how to create a thriving Greater Pittsburgh community. All educators receive training on implementing the Challenge using human-centered design thinking. Student finalists will face-off in a celebratory event in May 2022.
"Entrepreneurs can be powerful agents for social good. They bring their passion and creativity to vexing societal problems, with the potential to generate solutions that can be scaled to achieve significant positive impact.That's why the Foundation recently hosted a pitch competition for today's social-impact entrepreneurs. And we are supporting BUILD.org's important work, to help to foster tomorrow's entrepreneurs. The skills that BUILD.org's program teaches will better prepare young people to become entrepreneurs themselves, or to work for startups. And all students will benefit – because every job in this rapidly evolving economy requires entrepreneurial aptitude and skills."
Sam Reiman
Director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation
