The Cordish Companies and Spark Baltimore Host Virginia-Based Nonprofit Envision Lead Grow for Week-Long Entrepreneurship Immersion Program
Baltimore, MD (July 11, 2017) - The Cordish Companies and Spark Baltimore will host Virginia-based nonprofit Envision Lead Grow this week, an organization designed to support middle school girls as they learn how to apply classroom learning to entrepreneurship goals. The partnership will bring the nonprofit organization’s inaugural 7-City Bus Tour to Baltimore, Maryland at Spark Baltimore from July 10-13th and Morgan State University for the last day of camp on July 14th.
The Cordish Companies, a family-owned organization driven by the entrepreneurial spirit over four generations, believes in the central roles that urban cores and communities play, and strives to partner with the public and private sectors to support the growing and diverse Baltimore entrepreneurial ecosystem. As the home of over 90+ startups in Baltimore City, Spark Baltimore’s goal is to support entrepreneurship-focused initiatives and be a catalyst for advancing entrepreneurship through creative space and community.
“We are pleased to be a partner in hosting the Baltimore stop on the multi-city tour of Envision Lead Grow,” said Luwanda Jenkins, Vice President of Diversity and Community Relations for The Cordish Companies. “Inspiring entrepreneurial dreams for young adults speaks to the heart and soul of The Cordish Companies. What an exciting and important venture to support as part of our 'Live! in the Community' initiative.”
“Teaching entrepreneurship thinking and leadership skills to the next generation of locally based entrepreneurs is vital to the economic future of our city," said Shervonne Cherry, Community Manager of Spark Baltimore. "We are excited to provide an inspiring space for these young ladies to collaborate and learn about how they can reach their full potential."
Envision Lead Grow’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for 1,000 girls in underserved communities in the U.S. through sharing the power of entrepreneurship through classroom learning. The week long entrepreneurship immersion program is specifically designed for rising 5th grade - 9th grade girls and is based on the fast-paced curriculum, “The 8 Seeds to Success in Business” developed by the ELG team. The 40 hour program will also include mentorship and speaking sessions from Baltimore-based female entrepreneurs.
“Being a catalyst for advancing entrepreneurship, Spark Baltimore’s mission aligns directly with the mission of Envision Lead Grow,” said Angela D. Reddix, founder of Envision Lead Grow and President & CEO of ARDX, a multi-million dollar healthcare management and technology consulting company based in Norfolk, VA. “We are seeking to create the world's next generation of leaders, but most specifically entrepreneurs. Spark provides the space for creative ideas and for our young entrepreneurs to grow and transform their visions into ventures.”
Spark Baltimore is the fourth stop in a 7-City bus tour. The series kicked-off in Memphis, Tennessee on June 12th, 2017 and will conclude in Norfolk, Virginia on July 31st, 2017. Additional cities on the tour are Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; and Greensboro, North Carolina.
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