Building a Culture of Opportunity Within Disadvantaged Communities

Summary: <p>In his talk from <em>SSIR</em>‘s <a href="http://www.ssirinstitute.org/schedule">2016 Nonprofit Management Institute</a>, Derrick Braziel looks at how connecting people with the right resources and training, and building a culture of opportunity from within communities, can enable unlikely entrepreneurs, revitalize neighborhoods, and break the cycle of poverty. </p> <p>Urban communities across America are experiencing an unprecedented renaissance. But this boom threatens to displace long-time residents, who are typically lower income and people of color. Braziel talks about how his organization, <a href="http://wearemortar.com/#mission">MORTAR</a>, uses entrepreneurship to encourage redevelopment without displacement, providing the opportunity for long-time residents to grow with their swiftly changing communities. The organization offers business courses designed for under-served people who are low-income, unemployed, high­ school drop­outs, felons, homeless, or former gang leaders. The aim of this training is to support a new kind of entrepreneur—one focused on collaboration, connecting with people from different backgrounds, and maintaining a sense of community.</p> <p>Download the slides that accompanied Braziel’s talk <a href="http://www.ssirinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Braziel_Nonprofit-Management-Institute-2016.pdf">here</a>.</p><br><a href="https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/building_a_culture_of_opportunity_within_disadvantaged_communities">https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/building_a_culture_of_opportunity_within_disadvantaged_communities</a>