Contact:
Joy Torchia, Kauffman Foundation, 816-932-1045; jtorchia@kauffman.org
Rossana Weitekamp, 516-792-1462, rossana@weitekamp.com
Gary Schoeniger, ELI Entrepreneur, 440-255-8861; gary@elientrepreneur.com
Clifton Taulbert, Building Community Institute, 918-584-0414; ddecker@cliftontaulbert.com
(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) June 3, 2010 – The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has teamed up with Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert and the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI) to create "Who Owns the Icehouse?" a two-part learning project designed to inspire and engage America's youth in the unlimited opportunities that an entrepreneurial mindset can provide:
- The Book: Based on the personal experience of Taulbert, "Who Owns the Icehouse?" is a powerful and compelling story that draws on the entrepreneurial influence and eight essential life-lessons Taulbert gained from his Uncle Cleve, an unlikely entrepreneur in the segregated South.
- The Course: "Who Owns the Ice House?" offers an interactive multimedia online learning program designed to immerse students in the eight essential life-lessons of the entrepreneurial mindset described in the book. The multimedia program includeS video interviews and case studies featuring modern-day examples of those who, like Uncle Cleve, have overcome multiple challenges by embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. Designed for both formal and informal classroom facilitation, the program will include facilitator guides, group discussions and outside projects to inspire and engage students in entrepreneurial thinking.
"'Who Owns the Icehouse?' offers a powerful and compelling message that clearly demonstrates the ability of ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things through innovation and entrepreneurship," said Thom Ruhe, Kauffman Foundation director of entrepreneurship."We think this project is a particularly important because it can inspire young people—a population we must inspire to ensure we have a robust future generation of entrepreneurs to drive our economy."
After a chance interview in 2008 sparked an ongoing conversation, ELI co-founder Gary Schoeniger teamed up with Taulbert to form the creative team behind the "Icehouse" project.
"Entrepreneurs have valuable knowledge and insight drawn from their experience,"Schoeniger said. "Their stories offer a new perspective and a road map that can empower others to overcome obstacles and harness their untapped potential. Clifton's story of Uncle Cleve is a timeless testament to the power of an entrepreneurial mindset."
Schoeniger and his team are collaborating with the Kauffman Foundation to launch a nationwide campaign to identify modern-day examples of others who have overcome hardship and adversity as entrepreneurs and are willing to participate as case studies for the online course.
"The entrepreneurial mindset—when understood and embraced—can become a transformational experience,"Taulbert says. "It's a mindset that can empower others as it has for me. This project gives me the chance to pass on the lessons I learned at the icehouse from my Uncle Cleve."
The book, "Who Owns the Icehouse?" is scheduled to be released and available in stores in the fall of 2010. The online program, also scheduled for release this fall, will be distributed through a network of organizational partners.
More information is available at www.whoownstheicehouse.com.
About Clifton Taulbert
Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert is an internationally acclaimed author, lecturer and thought leader on the critical issue of building community. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the nations' outstanding entrepreneurs, Mr. Taulbert is best known for his books Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored and Eight Habits of The Heart: Embracing Values That Build Communities. Mr. Taulbert's ability to connect with diverse individuals across a broad professional spectrum has introduced him to audiences from members of the United States Supreme Court to CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies as well as educators around the world.
Over the last 15 years, Taulbert's insights on the "Power of Community" to ensure 'Organizational Effectiveness' in 21st Century work and learning places have impacted organizations worldwide. Mr. Taulbert is especially known for his work with leaders and emerging leaders; helping them to embrace 'Building Community' as a necessary force- multiplier for their organizations and understand their critical role in 'Diversity Leadership' for the 21st century.
For more information, visit CliftonTaulbert.com or contact ddecker@cliftontaulbert.com
About ELI
Established in 2007 to provide a comprehensive and scalable solution to the global demand for entrepreneurship education, the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, LLC provides interactive online entrepreneurship education programs for individuals and organizations worldwide. Their first program was developed exclusively for the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute and is currently being distributed throughout Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. In addition to their partnership with The Kauffman Foundation, ELI is also working with WVIZ/PBS to produce the Entrepreneurial Learning Series, an interactive distance learning program that enables high school students throughout Ohio to interact with, and learn from, real-world entrepreneurs.
For more information, visit http://www.elientrepreneur.com or contact Gary Schoeniger
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