Ever thought of starting your own business or media franchise? Especially one that aligns with your cultural identity?
The Cultural Entrepreneurship (GCOM 29265, 01) mini-course will expose you to the resources and tools that can help you develop an entrepreneurial venture while still in college. Guest speakers – all IC alumni of color - will present their experiences launching their successful products, services, brands, and creative media platforms that started here in their classes and business pitch competitions.
Presenters will include Eden Strachan (Black Girls Don't Get Love film / event / book franchise), Rita Bunatal (Malaika Collective of fashion and beauty brands), Pima Mbwana (Cut Buddy and PM Brands), Anna DeShawn (creator of streaming platforms that celebrate BIPOC & QTPOC creatives) and Olivia Carpenter (Via's Cookies).
You'll get frameworks for business planning, ideas for how you can use class projects and professors' expertise to help build a brand, and then you'll practice pitching your idea that can be developed for presentation at various college and regional funding competitions.
The course will begin with some online introductions and readings, and will then have interactive presentations and work time on Friday 3-5 PM, Saturday from 11-1 and 2-5, and Sunday from 12-3. There are no prerequisites and the course is pass/fail.
Questions? Email Professor Diane Gayeski
