Monday, Nov 12, 2012
Minding Our Business, a community outreach program organized by the College of Business Administration at Rider University, will hold its annual fundraiser on Friday, November 16.
by Meaghan Haugh
Minding Our Business, a community outreach program organized by the College of Business Administration at Rider University, will hold its annual fundraiser on Friday, November 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla on the Lawrenceville campus, 2083 Lawrenceville Road (Route 206 South). This year’s theme is A Bridge to the Future.
For the past 16 years, Rider University’s Minding Our Business program has helped 2,500 aspiring entrepreneurs from Trenton schools. Through the community outreach program, more than 500 Rider student mentors have trained the young students in starting and running their own businesses. Next year will mark a new chapter for MOB when it becomes an independent non-profit.
Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez, director and founder of Minding Our Business, said the transition promises more opportunities for program expansion and fundraising.
“When we started the program we did not know what type of impact the program would have on Trenton students and Rider student mentors,” said Hernandez, also an associate professor of Marketing and Advertising in the College of Business Administration. “It’s been a win-win for the students and mentors. The youth benefited from developing work life skills and an interest in running a business and going to college. Meanwhile, the mentors learned about themselves, urban kids and how to run a business.”
The fundraiser will feature videos and short videos about the young entrepreneurs and future leadership, including Kevin Wortham as the executive director, Dr. Steven Lorenzet, dean of the College of Business Administration, as trustee and John Harmon, founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce as trustee. The event will also recognize the Princeton Area Community Foundation will during a special ceremony for its strong support of MOB.
Tickets are $100 per person, $150 per couple or $25 for MOB mentors and alumni. To RSVP to the fundraiser or to learn more about the program, please call Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez at 609-895-5509 or e-mail him at [email protected].