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First mention of many 🗞️.
The Halcyon Fellowship was a transformative experience and helped our company so much. We’re so excited to share more about our work.

Thank you so much @halcyoninspires and @technical_ly for the mention 🥳

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We gave away almost $20k total in prizes at #FemaleFoundersPitchNight!

Join us in congratulating our winners:
🏆 1st prize: Ray'Chel Wilson of For Our Last Names
🏆 2nd prize: Jaslyn Ferguson of Historifi
🏆 3rd prize AND Audience Choice: Arabia Q Simeon of PoGo [ Politics on the Go]

Thank you to our judges, who had the incredibly difficult job of selecting the winners! Each female founder who took the stage completely blew us away.

Special thanks to our sponsors for backing these incredible entrepreneurs.

& Lastly - thank you to everyone who came out to support! We had an overwhelming turnout, in person & online. It truly is one of our favorite #buildintulsa programs. Can't wait to see you next time!

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It's #GivingTuesday, and I am asking my family, friends, and those in my network to consider making a gift to @venture4america (VFA)! VFA supports young people from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to achieve their dreams of being an entrepreneur.

Having supported nonprofits since the beginning of my career, stepping into a role that supports young aspiring entrepreneurs and growing startup ecosystems was an adjustment BUT has been an absolute joy and rewarding experience. I have been extremely fortunate to watch our Fellows grow into startup leaders and founders and contribute to economic development since joining the VFA team earlier this year. And I can't wait to see this momentum continue.

Help make an impact on future entrepreneurs by making a gift, sharing this post, and spreading the word to everyone you know! Every dollar you give will be matched up to $5,000!

🎁 link is in my story

*Special shoutout to the VFA Detroit Fellow and Alum community and our many partners in the #Detroit region. You all have taught me so much over the past 11 months, whether you know it or not, and accepted me for my full authentic self, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.*
💙

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#Repost @venture4america with @use.repost
・・・
We’re feeling energized from having the opportunity to conduct Selection Day in-person for the first time since 2019! 💪
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It felt great to be back in #Detroit and we're fortunate to be part of such an engaged #entrepreneurialecosystem. 🤩
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Thank you to our Fellows and Alumni who served as proctors and panelists, and to our 22 judges who contributed to the day's success. 🙌
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We'd also like to extend our gratitude to Brandi Brown and the @gilbertfamilyfoundation for their day-of and continued support. 🤝
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Lastly, shout out to candidates who traveled from far and wide for a chance to be part of our community. ✈️

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We’re still basking in some of these moments from Do the Art Thing ❤️

Shoutout out to Zina, the leader of the crochet station. She was so eager to volunteer her fit to be painted on. Next thing we knew there was a whole a live painting happening 🎨

Remember to plant a seed in the mind of the youth and watch how it’ll grow. The flower that blossoms will be more than you’ve ever imagined 🌹

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We’re exposing the next generation of youth to paths we didn’t even know existed. We inspire and empower them to create and dream.

“Do the Art Thing” is the beginning of that mission 🧱

Things we heard from the youth:

“I knew I was supposed to come outside today! I was just gonna sit in my room and play video games” - 10 year old came for the free snacks & left with memories.

“I’d work a job like this” - 7 yr old who made 8 bracelets at the jewelry station.

“Ooooh. I loveeee painting” - 12 year old begging her parents to let her and her cousin come to our event.

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Do The Art Thing 🎨
Sat 08.28.22

Last Saturday we came together with our partners and sponsors @heightnlight @protectyocrown_ @shopviastyles @jungle_cuisines @fueltheppl to host our first youth event dedicated to exposing BIPOC youth to different art paths 🎨✍🏽🎵

The day was filled with art, smiles, laughter, and community building. It was amazing to see youth of all ages engage with our work and find value in what we had to offer.

It was truly a great day. Thank you to all of our volunteers, friends, and family that were in community with us. We can’t wait until next year. 🥳
[more content coming soon]

Special thanks to sponsors @laundromat_proj @blickartmaterials ❤️

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Are ya ready for a day of art and fun 🙌🏽

THIS SATURDAY we will be running multiple art stations with the help of volunteer artists and entrepreneurs.

Do the Art Thing is open to Black & Brown youth + family. Meet us and our partners @ Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn 12pm 🥳

Try out each station for a chance to win 1 of our 3 raffles. 🎟

Special thanks to @fueltheppl for sponsoring the menu. Good eats by Chef 👨🏾‍🍳 @jungle_cuisines

Can’t wait to see what our youth will create 🎨

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life-changing experiences with my new family🤍

I never would’ve imagined my life right now. A year ago, I moved back to my hometown of Shreveport, LA without much of a plan and letting God truly order my steps. I ended up enrolling in a 10-month accelerated MBA program, worked full-time, and was actively looking for my next move. After being introduced to Venture For America from my Spelman sis @mayasimoneb_ , I knew that this was everything I was looking for. I wanted to make an impact in my community, create economic opportunities for the next generation, and continue my journey towards entrepreneurship. After months and months of interviews later, I was accepted! Something I didn’t know existed months ago was at the forefront of my mind and all I could think about.

I was nervous, excited, and overwhelmed when I got on the plane to Detroit for Training Camp. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but I knew I had to take this leap of faith and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. God placed an indescribable peace over my heart when I landed in Detroit even though I had no expectations — I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Fast forward 2 weeks later, I truly gained a family that will last a lifetime. The connections that were formed within the VFA Class of 2022 was something I prayed for…something I didn’t know I needed.

I learned more in these 2 weeks about entrepreneurship, startups, and myself than I have in a while and I’m forever grateful for the presenters, the VFA Training Camp team, and my fellow Fellows (lol) The many details throughout this year long journey have aligned so perfectly that I couldn’t have written this myself if I wanted to…it was God ordained.

I can’t wait to start this new chapter of my life working as a Product Marketing Manager for an amazing ed-tech startup in Charlotte, NC!

All I can say is…God is so faithful.🤍
Psalm 33:4

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📢Da Cypher Youth presents: “Do the Art Thing” 🎨👩🏽‍🎨

Get ready for the littest event to close out the summer ☀️ Pull up August 27th(loc.📍coming soon) to our interactive arts pop up exposing Black and Brown youth in NYC to various creative paths.

Here’s how YOU can help 🥳:
• Volunteer to lead or assist an art station[link in bio] by August 15th🗓
• Sponsor a giveaway or cover the cost of material/equipment
• Share❗️Share w/ your fam + friends and pull up with youth to enjoy the event.

Art by @si.si._

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Da Cypher presents : “Stepping Into My Duffle”👜 Creative edition.
We’ve curated a list of 4 poppin’ ass creatives YOU 🫵🏽 should know about❗️

Follow, Support & Collab ⬇️
@petersmiless
@fl0wergirl.__
@visories_
@dirk_diggler9

Clap for our featured creatives 👏🏽⬇️

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