Social Entrepreneur Enters into the Mainstream Media

Dr. Corinthia Price |

Entrepreneurship Education blog

In the series, “Building a Business: Conversations with Entrepreneurs,” with Dr. Corinthia Price, CEO and Founder of Workforce Career Readiness™ shares the life-lessons of entrepreneurs. I asked them a variety of questions about success, advocacy, work-life balance, philanthropy, and anything else in between. 

 

Social entrepreneurs directly impact the lives of millions of people across the world.  They are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing environmental, social and cultural affairs and international relations. They are ambitious and passionate leaders of change.  According to Bill Drayton Founder of Ashoka, “Social entrepreneurs are the essential corrective force. They are system-changing entrepreneurs. And from deep within they, and therefore their work, are committed to the good of all.”   

Jesse Anderson is a vibrant social entrepreneur.  She is the CEO and Founder of News for Young Advocates Today (NYAtoday).   A award-winning news network create by youth that aims to engage, excite, and educate youth about issues in the political sphere, and works to involve teens in politics and activism.  In just two years, NYA Today has reached over 100,000 youth that spans the nation.    In addition, Jesse was appointed US Ambassador for the UN Global Schools Network.  In the fall she will be attending college at the University of Maryland with a major in Global Community.  Her unwavering passion toward ending injustice remains at the center of her identity.  

Why did you start NYA Today?

I started NYA Today to elevate youth voices especially youth of color.  I felt youth weren’t being represented in the media.  NYA Today is a news organization that is working to break down boundaries in education, create a more informed younger generation, and encourage youth to act on their beliefs. So I started a news network run by youth, for youth. Our team is composed of powerful young adults who are dedicated to making positive differences in their communities. We've reached thousands of youth around the world, and we remain unwavering in our pursuit of equality.

What projects is NYA Today currently working on?

NYA Today is creating Chat Bots for social good. I want to capitalize on the various ways in which AI can be used, and develop AI projects aimed at bettering the world around us. We’re working on a project called Eco-Bot©, which provides easy ways to make an activity greener. Let's say you're driving. You will type in "DRIVING" into our Eco-Bot, and the message back would be three ways to make driving more eco-friendly. This Eco-Bot would be accessible in over 14 languages.

What is your vision for NYA Today?

My vision for NYA Today is to create sustainable learning centers with a focus on innovation and sustainable development. 

What is the UN Global Schools Network about and which sustainable development goals are you focusing on?

Global Schools is an initiative led by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) in support of UNESCO’s Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development (GAP-ESD). The vision of the program is to generate interest about sustainable development in schools.  This is an effort to educate and engage students with the SDGs (What does this refer to?) and to encourage them to prioritize the goals in their lifestyles, behaviors, education and professional careers.   These goals provide the framework for a better world in the future that children will be able to live in. The program aims to do this by transforming learning environments globally and making schools the hubs of education and leadership on SDGs, ultimately becoming vehicles for empowering and mobilizing students and young people to help implement the SDGs in their communities.  There are 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations.  My focus is on SGD 4: Quality Education for all and SGD 5: Gender Equality. 

I am working with other UN Global Youth Ambassadors to launch a federal program that will provide teachers with free lessons plans that incorporate sustainable development goals into their curriculums.

What have you learned so far this year that was a surprise?

A young lady from Canada wrote me a fan letter.  I didn’t realize I had an impact on people lives. 

Name a person(s) who has had a tremendous impact on you as an entrepreneur?

The first person is my mother.   She has done so much for me and I deeply respect her as a person.  My biggest role models are Tiffany Pham, CEO and Founder of Mogul and Danica Daniels, Manager of Content & Community at Mogul.  They are such wonderful and humble women. 

What song resonates with you the most?

“Holy War” by Alica Keys.   This is a beautiful song.  It’s about what divides us and how we should instead get closer together, using love as a weapon.  I am a huge fan of Alica Keys.   She is a great humanitarian and an amazing singer. 

Which books, podcasts, or videos do you recommend readers to check out?

Books:

Podcast:

YouTube Video:

What quote(s) do you live by?

There are two quotes by Yoda:

  • “Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.”
  • “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

 

Dr. Corinthia Price is the CEO and Founder of Workforce Career Readiness™. She is an international entrepreneurship advisor and workforce development analyst who specializes in workplace skills and competencies.

BACK