Greetings from Raleigh! I was honored to represent the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) this week at the American Student Assistance (ASA) Work-based Learning Leadership Forum, where I facilitated conversations on key challenges and opportunities in work-based learning. With 30-40 incredible organizations in attendance, we tackled critical issues such as policy barriers, school system engagement, and fostering meaningful connections to strengthen career pathways for young people.

It was inspiring to collaborate with thought leaders from Getting Smart, the CAPS Network, Project Lead The Way, Uncharted Learning, NFP | INCubatoredu, The DeBruce Foundation, TNTP, Big Thought, Big Picture Learning, and many more. These discussions reinforced the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and experiential learning in preparing students for the future.

I’m excited about the momentum we’re building at NFTE to expand access to work-based learning, especially through our newest Exploring Careers course, and to ensure all students—regardless of background—can develop the skills and mindsets they need to thrive.

🌍 When we say NFTE is a global organization, we mean it! The NFTE World Series of Innovation (WSI) empowers young people worldwide to tackle some of the planet’s toughest challenges and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This year, with support from aramco, we expanded our reach through the launch of the Imagination League, engaging young people aged from 5 - 12 in bold, creative problem-solving.

As part of this year’s WSI, Aramco supported us in hosting Innovation Days for both the Imagination League (ages 5 - 12) and the Impact League (ages 13 - 24). During nine exciting sessions across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; China; the U.S., and India, over 500 students and more than 70 volunteers joined forces to tackle the Aramco Clean Water Challenge, brainstorming innovative solutions to ensure clean water for all.

Special thanks to our amazing partners—Green Lightyear in China, Bell Manor Elementary and Preston Hollow Elementary in the U.S., ENpower in India, and King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals - KFUPM in Saudi Arabia—for bringing students together for this inspiring global effort. We’re shaping the future one idea at a time! 💡🌏

#NFTE #WorldSeriesOfInnovation #Innovation #CleanWaterChallenge #Aramco

Meet Miosha Randolph-Johnson, founder of Read It and Leave It and a proud NFTE alumna!

As one of eight founders in the Founders Forum, Miosha is refining her business in this five-month virtual incubator for NFTE alumni with viable startups.

📅 Mark your calendar for February 26! NFTE founders will compete in the Founders Forum Pitch Competition for a share of $10,000 in capital investment to fuel their businesses.

RSVP now at https://lnkd.in/ewSQef2N and cheer them on as they pitch their ventures!

The wait is over—meet the finalists of the 2024 World Series of Innovation (WSI) Impact League!

This annual competition, presented by NFTE, aramco, Citi Foundation and MetLife Foundation, empowers young people ages 13 to 24 to showcase innovative solutions that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, 2,839 participants submitted their ideas for the WSI Impact League challenge, which kicked off in September 2024. After careful review, 80 teams were selected to advance to the next round based on their creative solutions in eight challenge categories, supported by aramco, CBT Technology Institute , Citi Foundation, Comerica Bank, EY, Intuit for Education, MetLife Foundation, and Zuora.

🏆 Stay tuned! We’ll announce the first, second, and third-place winners in each challenge category on April 14 at innovation.nfte.com!

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards Gala & Alumni Expo is back!

Join NFTE on May 1 for an unforgettable evening celebrating and supporting the leaders who help drive our mission—empowering 70,000+ young people each year through entrepreneurship education.

This year, we honor:
- Damar Hamlin – NFL Player, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist.
- Sarah Farzam – NFTE Class of 2007 and Founder& CEO of Bilingual Birdies.
- Anthony Salcito – Chief Institution Officer at Nerdy & former Global Education Leader at Microsoft.

Each has made a lasting impact in advancing NFTE’s mission to launch the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

Reserve your seat today at nfte.com/gala!