Today the Blackstone Charitable Foundation kicked off a strategic mentorship program as part of its Entrepreneurship Initiative at two Detroit area schools.  Blackstone LaunchPad students from Walsh College and Wayne State University will provide their entrepreneurial expertise and real world knowledge to middle school students participating in One Hen Academy’s program. 

Blackstone LaunchPad’s partnership with One Hen Academy is a natural fit.

One Hen Academy is an interactive course introducing middle grade students to the principles of microfinance and entrepreneurship through award winning picture book One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference, website www.onehen.org, and One Hen: Microfinance for Kids teaching modules. To date over 17300 children have participated in One Hen's programs.

Blackstone LaunchPad is an innovative program that treats entrepreneurship as a viable career path, educating students, faculty and alumni about how to transform their ideas into thriving businesses.

“Blackstone LaunchPad mentors understand the impact an aspiring entrepreneur can make by transforming untested ideas into vital businesses,” said Amy Stursberg, Executive Director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. “One Hen shares this vision and strives to empower all kids to become social entrepreneurs who make a difference for themselves and the world.”

Blackstone LaunchPad mentors will support and encourage One Hen’s middle school student business teams as they develop their products, create marketing strategies and implement their sales plans, which culminate in team presentations at One Hen Market Days at the school.