CULTIVATING THE MILLENNIUM ENTREPRENEUR

by David C. Briscoe
In the spirit of Booker T. Washington, hundreds of young entrepreneurs and business owners from a collegiate, secondary, and professional variety fused their creative energy, dynamic minds, and talents in a productive group setting. The 14th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit, held on the historical campus of Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, was not an experience to overlook.
On behalf of the National Business League (a national federation of individuals, firms and associations engaged in business enterprises, founded in 1900 by Dr. Booker T. Washington) and the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program of Prince George’s Community College, two of our own budding entrepreneurs, David C. Briscoe and Emmanuel Ogunsalu, were able to attend the summit. Emmanuel Ogunsalu had this to say: “The Tuskegee University Economic Development Conference was a groundbreaking, life-changing and overall phenomenal experience. Young entrepreneurs, such as myself, were able to gather together in a warm environment to network, eat, and be empowered in the name of entrepreneurship.”
During the Entrepreneurial Leadership Banquet, featuring Mr. Daryl Williams, Research and Policy Director of the Kauffman Foundation, Lisa Rawlings, Program Director of the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program was awarded the 2009 Entrepreneurial Leadership Award. The importance and impact of this event was singled out when Lisa summarized her experience by stating, “It is exciting to have the Hillman Entrepreneurs model recognized by Tuskegee University’s Economic Development Summit. They see the potential of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) and community colleges collaborating to increase access and academic success.”