50 Cent, HISD start business initiative as ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ for 75 kids
Seventy-five students from three Houston ISD schools were inducted Monday into a business and entrepreneurial internship program launched by rapper 50 Cent.
The students, who attend Kashmere, Worthing, and Wheatley high schools, are expected to complete a 12-week after-school course in which they will learn business concepts and attend a “business lab” twice a week for two hours, according to the district.
The program will culminate in a competition judged by 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, Al Kashani, president of Horizon United Group, which is part of the partnership launching the initiative, and community leaders who will select winners to receive seed money to start businesses. Jackson’s philanthropic organization, the G-Unity Foundation, funded $300,000 over two years for the program and HISD is matching the funds. During a kickoff ceremony at Wheatley High School, Jackson asked the gathered students who wanted to make money. A sea of hands rose across the auditorium rows in front of him.
“When you grow up with the circumstances that I grew up under, it starts to feel like the biggest restraint is the financial restraint,” Jackson told the kids. “I worked really hard against that, like I did things to try to not to be under those circumstances. And I just want to be able to help provide programs that allow you the information to do it the right way.”
HISD Superintendent Millard House II called the program an opportunity of a lifetime.
“The program aligns with HISD’s vision to be equitable and educate the whole child by providing the academic and non-academic supports necessary to ensure that our students can become complete global economy students,” House said.
“They will graduate with critical thinking opportunities and problem-solving possibilities,
learning core business concepts, like writing a formal business plan, with the support of HISD teachers, Houston business leaders and the foundation.”
One by one, the students were called to walk across a stage to shake Jackson’s hand.
With a wide smile on his face, he embraced some of the students, pulling them in for a hug, while leaning into the ears of others and briefly talking to them.
Gabriel Flint, a Wheatley 10th-grader, was among the students who received a few private words of encouragement from the rap star. Jackson told him to take the program seriously because it was a big opportunity, he said.
“I was a little zoned and I think he noticed it,” Flint said. “I was just kind of amazed like, ‘Wow, I am here.’”
Flint already has a big idea.
After the program, the youngster, who wants to study botany in college, would like to build a soup kitchen and a neighborhood garden so families could get whatever food they need without worrying about cost.
“I am most excited for the teachings,” Flint said. “I want to know the process. I want to know how to get to and through college and get to the business I want to create.”
Kennedy Nelms, a senior at Kashmere High, said she was excited to learn about business and entrepreneurship. She wants to start a clothing line catering to people who do not always follow fashion trends.
She said she wants to help others by eventually passing on what she learns.
“I am looking forward to being able to learn,” Nelms said. “I want to be able to learn all of the things that they are trying to teach us.”