In conjunction with the global entrepreneurship week, the Georgia Avenue Development, Growth & Enterprise Transformation (GADGET) Center at Howard University is hosting an open house tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2800 Georgia Ave. NW.
Staffed by graduate students and counselors from the D.C. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Howard University, GADGET will provide free consulting services to local businesses and will focus on growth and development of the commercial district adjacent to Howard University.
“Howard is hosting an event with several high-profile speakers to give remarks noting the project, partnership and outlining future plans for the center,” said Michael Phillips of Ford Motor Company Communications.
GADGET, which claims to empower the Howard University neighborhood by encouraging entrepreneurship, received a $100,000 grant from Ford Motor Company.
Hosted by Howard’s School of Business, the Ford Motor Company Fund and other partners, the center is dedicated to helping small businesses and promoting economic growth along the Georgia Avenue corridor.
Senior management major, Gibran Mills, said he thinks the center and Georgia Avenue have potential for revival.
“The corridor has high traffic and could really expand and be fruitful,” he said. “Maybe with attention, small business on the street can be developed.”
The student led public-private partnership is a catalyst for economic development in the heart of the historic Georgia Avenue corridor according to the upcoming event’s press release.
The open house will feature Ford executives, Howard faculty, local business leaders and other special guests. They will briefly discuss the project, partnership and future plans with the center.
Speakers include: David A. Hinson, Howard alumnus and National Director of Minority Business Development Agency; James Carroll, Director of Compliance, Ford Motor Company; Barron H. Harvey, Ph.D., Dean, Howard University School of Business, and Bridgit Bean, District Director, Small Business Administration.
The GADGET Center was a project proposal winner in the National Ford College Community Challenge.
The competition challenged students from within Ford’s national network of higher education partners to develop innovative programs that create sustainable change in their communities.
GADGET offers access to computers and information resources, consulting and support services, forums for learning and positive community interactions between residents, city government, local businesses and regional developers, according to the center’s web site.
It also hosts a satellite office of the D.C. Small Business Development Center.
Following the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), the open house offers the Howard community an opportunity to impact their environment.
The week is acknowledged around the world and is aimed at young people.
From Nov. 16-22 2009, partner organizations will conduct a range of activities - from simple speeches to comprehensive competitions - designed to inspire, connect, inform, mentor and engage the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, applauded the activities of GEW.
Secretary Clinton reconfirmed the administration’s commitment to boosting entrepreneurship both in the United States and in other countries, where talent is widespread, but opportunity is not.
All events are designed to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young adults and help them gain the skills and networks necessary for sustainable businesses.
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