June 6, 2006 House Approves National Entrepreneurship Week

EntrepreneurshipWeek USA (Feb 24th thru March 3rd 2007) was the Inaugural recognition of the Annual Celebration of The American Entrepreneur. Its purpose was to emphasize the important part Entrepreneurship plays in the strength or our current economy and its role in keeping the US as the leaders of the emerging World Market. House Resolution 699 acknowledged the US Governments support of this annual event. “Bringing Entrepreneurs together for the common cause of strengthening their Spirit and furthering the cause of incorporating Entrepreneurship Education as a life long learning process is very important for America’s future,” stated Dr. Cathy Ashmore, Executive Director of The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education.

“What’s Your Big Idea…Get It On!” was the theme of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA spearheaded by The Kaufmann Foundation with education-related support from the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. Review what you have missed by going to www.entre-ed.org/E-week.htm .

From left: Chantel Bartlett (NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation), Trey Michael (Consortium President), Congressman Tom Osborne (R  NE),  Julie Carney (NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation), and Horace Robertson (Consortium Secretary-Treasurer)

EXPLORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP...Experience History

“Explore Entrepreneurship, while experiencing the History of the old South”, is the focus of the 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurship Education Forum to be held in Charleston, SC, Nov. 2nd through 6th, 2007. The FORUM will bring Teachers of all disciplines together to share and learn how to better incorporate Entrepreneurship as a life long learning process into their current curriculum. This annual event, sponsored by The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, has a long-standing record of success in championing the cause of Entrepreneurship for youth, both American and abroad. With the common goal of infusing Entrepreneurship Education into all disciplines, these teachers understand the important nature of being able to put what they teach into practice in the real world.

The FORUM consists of workshops, round table discussions and featured Speakers who are very successful Entrepreneurs in their own right, sharing their experiences to take to the classroom. For more information or to join go to www.entre-ed.org/_network/forum.htm

Lisa Nichols at 2005 FORUM

September 5, 2006 Clowning Her Way to Entrepreneurial Success

Chicago, Illinois - When it comes to entrepreneurship, Ebony Sims doesn’t clown around . . . or does she? Ebony has been the sidekick of “Giggles the Clown” since she was only nine years old. Performing with Giggles, aka “Mom,” has developed Ebony’s drive, self confidence, skills, and “know how” to fuel her clown car down the road toward launching her own successful entrepreneurial venture.

While growing up and honing her future career, Ebony achieved many successes including both Silver and Gold NAACP awards, prizes from NFTE, TIE, and a Coleman Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship scholarship. Quite a “big feet” considering Ebony was reared in a single parent home, facing many economic challenges. Currently a senior at Northwestern Illinois University, Ebony plans to acquire her Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Business and then go on to launch her own successful business.

Ebony’s story is just one of many that illustrate the critical nature of entrepreneurial education as an integral part of independent success. Learning about branding, marketing, promotion, planning and gaining a competitive edge can oftentimes be more important than finding the hypotenuse of a triangle in the real world. Fortunately for Ebony, she was able to acquire her knowledge at home as well as through entrepreneurship education. All young people need adult mentors and role models to understand how to advance their career dreams. America’s schools today are embracing entrepreneurship education as an answer.

In June of 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution (#699) focused on continuing the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses as the leading creator of new jobs in the past decade. Congress recognized the significance of Entrepreneurship Week USA to expand educational opportunities for the development of future entrepreneurs and to feature the contributions of American entrepreneurs as role models for today’s youth.

It is in this spirit that The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education is proud to be the education-related partner for the first celebration of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, February 24th - March 3 rd, 2007. www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com To learn more about entrepreneurship education and become involved in your area, go to www.entre-ed.org.

Tomorrow’s Future is our responsibility today. Parents and teachers alike should take on this challenge. Do your part!

Ebony with her mom, 'Giggles'

Contact the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education for this release and additional pictures of Ebony Sims at www.entre-ed.org/_contact/press06.htm