Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Diversity Business Exhibit Launch “Back to School, Back to Business” Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
PROVIDENCE, RI – Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos today announced a free entrepreneurship education program to be held as part of the Diversity Business Exhibit conference next month. The “Back to School, Back to Business” Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp will introduce 11th and 12th-grade students to the information and inspiration they need to pursue entrepreneurship. The boot camp is set to take place on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, and interested students are invited to apply by the Thursday, August 31st deadline.
“Children in every Rhode Island community should be able to see a path to owning their own business,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “This program will give them the tools they need to take their first step towards entrepreneurship. I am grateful to our partners at the Diversity Business Exhibit for helping to organize this excellent opportunity for our students.”
The “Back to School, Back to Business” Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp continues the work done by Lieutenant Governor Matos to encourage student entrepreneurship through programs such as the Lieutenant Governor’s Entrepreneurship Challenge and the Menu for Success food truck program. Students will hear success stories from guest speakers, learn about financial literacy and budgeting, and participate in hands-on activities and workshops designed to encourage them to consider how local businesses and nonprofits can help address real-world problems.
The program is organized by the Diversity Business Exhibit, a community-based initiative geared towards BIPOC/minority and socially and economically disadvantaged micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and creatives in Southern New England. In addition to the Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, the Diversity Business Exhibit is simultaneously hosting its annual conference, trade show, and networking event on Saturday, September 16th, at the RI Convention Center. Admission to the event is free, but attendees must register online at diversitybusinessexhibit.com.
“When over 60 community leaders of color join together with allies, across state lines, in collaboration, despite gender, age, and ethnicities, great things happen!” said Doris Adesuyi, founder of the Diversity Business Exhibit. “We are excited to launch our regional initiative this September and are grateful for the partnership with Lt. Governor Sabina Matos’s office on the Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, providing a much-needed on-ramp for students of color and those socially and economically disadvantaged to explore the many opportunities available in business and social entrepreneurship.”
To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, the “Back to School, Back to Business” Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp will be offered free of charge to accepted students. All interested students, teachers, coaches, parents, and caregivers are encouraged to reach out for more information and to register by emailing LGYouthBootCamp@
