Teens That Mean Business

A high school junior, Tameka with an interest in entrepreneurship, did not have the resources or access to small business leaders. As an intern with the Teens That Mean Business (“TTMB”) program, a six-week summer stipend-based summer internship, she was able to gain knowledge and exposure to entrepreneurship, future career opportunities, and financial education. Now that she has completed the program, her financial outlook for herself and her family is brighter, and she feels more empowered as she prepares for college and college summer internships.

Cam, a rising high school senior, thought that he wanted to major in architecture in college. He was selected as an TTMB intern and was matched with an architectural and construction management firm. He had a successful hands on experience at the firm and his goals and understanding of the different types of jobs became more clear as he determined that a major in Construction Management would better fit with his objectives for a future career.  This firm hires summer interns, routinely, but they must be at least college level.  The firm was so impressed with his work ethic, his intrinsic talent and his willingness to learn that they offered him an opportunity to return as an intern the following summer.

Since the program's formal inception, TTMB has connected nearly 100 youth with business leaders, owners, and professionals, who serve as both employer and mentor. The TTMB interns shadow them up to four days a week, gaining practical, hands-on experience in business operation and management across a range of sectors. Additionally, the interns participate in a series of financial education, professional development and entrepreneurial workshops that cover everything from discovering the power of positivity, to resume writing and understanding credit and debt.

Availability

Summer: Monday – Friday
Morning and Afternoon

Location

279 Lafayette Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Exiting Egypt

Since 2014, A Better World has sponsored an annual Socio-Economic and Community Development Conference called Exiting Egypt (EE). Named after the plight of the Israelites, led by Moses, which enabled them to lift themselves out of bondage, this conference is dedicated to providing participants with the tools and resources needed to achieve financial empowerment, reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities. 

Exiting Egypt features inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.  Over the course of 11 years, EE has expanded to include workshops not just on financial literacy, but also, education, resume and career building, social and mental health, technological advances, COVID-19’s racial inequalities and relevant issues currently impacting society.

Whether you're a current or future entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone seeking financial stability and new learning opportunities, Exiting Egypt offers valuable tools and guidance to help you achieve your goals. This event is an incredible opportunity for attendees to learn, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain valuable applicable skills to help them succeed in an everchanging world. 

‘James’, a participant who attended the Resume Building workshop at the conference, was in the middle of a life change.  He had been a mid-level NYC government employee for 20 years and could retire from his public service job at an early age. He decided to shift in a new direction for his next career move. 

During an Exiting Egypt workshop, ‘James’ presented his resume to the Resume workshop facilitator for evaluation and feedback. The presenter provided a few tips and volunteered to peruse and revise his resume, subsequent to the workshop.  Several months later, James decided to apply for corporate positions.  As part of the application process, he presented the revised resume. Fast forward, as a result of attending the Exiting Egypt workshop, ‘James’ is now happily employed, full time, at a Fortune 100 corporation in his dream position with the perks to match.

South Africa Project

Situated along the northwest border of Gauteng province, the town of Winterveld provides insight into the region’s deeply marred history as a result of Apartheid, and the systemic struggles still present today within the urban periphery of South African cities. Historically, Winterveld served as an Apartheid relocation settlement, hosting Black families forcibly removed from Pretoria. Located 60 km from the capital, the region is the tribal homeland of the Bophuthatswana. While the area remains sparsely populated today, there are dense pockets of informal settlements and despite the rural setting, the area remains fundamentally tied to the urban economy of Pretoria. 

The town provides affordable land and housing to future residents as well as potentially significant interpersonal social networks within the community, yet rates of crime and poverty remain high and there is limited opportunity for employment. These conditions are exacerbated by long, costly commutes to the job centers within Pretoria and Johannesburg.

A Better World Community Development Corporation (ABWCDC) in partnership with local community leaders, is developing two (2) parcels of land within the town of Winterveld totaling 8.56 hectares (21.1 acres). ABWCDC has partnered with two architectural firms:

• Sharon Davis Design (New York) to create a preliminary master plan and report outlining community desires and needs that could potentially be met through the development of the land, placing great emphasis on sustainable design; and 

• Boogertman + Partners, Africa’s largest architecture firm, with offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Durban and Kenya to further develop the existing master plan.  

We are currently in pre-phase with respect to project development that will provide the community with a K-8 Primary school, Indoor / Outdoor Recreation areas, Community Gathering Hall and a Business Incubator.  Once completed it will provide a sustainable and welcoming learning environment for the community of Winterveld.