Student Entrepreneurship Initiative Overview

Purpose Statement

The Community College of RI is launching the inaugural Student Entrepreneurship Initiative. This initiative was created to provide resources and a platform to CCRI students and alumni from under-represented populations to develop as entrepreneurs. The Office of Organizational Development & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has partnered with Career Services and the Business & Professional Studies Program to create an 18-month long initiative that will include high-impact interactions, in-person learning sessions and robust resources to help build a pathway for entrepreneurs. 

The Student Entrepreneurship Initiative primary goals are aligned with the CCRI 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan. The primary goals are listed below:

1.  Eliminate Equity Gaps.
   1.  Equip CCRI students with the skills and resources necessary to become successful 
      entrepreneurs in the state of Rhode Island. 
2.  Ready our students with skills and experiences to attain personal, economic and career success.
   1.  Provide learning opportunities for CCRI students to practice key essentials to owning, 
      operating and profiting from their business.
3.  Advance a culture that promotes our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
   
   1.  Celebrate and recognize our BIPOC business owners that are part of CCRI.

To learn more about the purpose of the Student Entrepreneurship Initiative and the existing equity gaps facing BIPOC entrepreneurs in Rhode Island, please read the Student Entrepreneurship Initiative Executive Summary listed below:

Student Entrepreneurship Initiative Executive Summary

BIPOC Business Expo

The inaugral event will be the BIPOC Business Expo (BBE). BIPOC represents Black, Indigenous & People of Color, which is the population most impacted in Rhode Island by limited networks and resources for successful entrepreneurship. BBE participants will have access to resources and networks intended to help close existing equity gaps that can limit future success

CCRI will provide a platform for our students and alumni entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, participate in panel discussions with established Rhode Island entrepreneurs, and learn different techniques for securing resources. To learn more about the statistics and existing equity gaps facing BIPOC entrepreneurs in Rhode Island, please refer to the Student Entrepreneurship Initiative Executive Summary.

Commitment to Closing Equity Gaps

Event Details

Tuesday, February 27th 2024

11am - 3am

Knight Campus, Great Hall

Student Exhibitors

Register here as an exhibitor to showcase your products or services using the link below. You will be contacted by Career Services with details on next steps.

• Exhibitor items WILL NOT be for patrons/attendees to purchase.
• Items will be displayed within a glass case cover.
• Students are encouraged to advertise and promote their growing business.

Student Registration

 

Alumni and 10K Small Business Vendors

Alumni and 10K Small Business participants can register as networking facilitators or vendors respectively using the link below. After submitting the registration form, vendors will be contacted by the Office of Organizational Development & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to provide the necessary documentation to sell your product on campus.

• Alumni and vendors will have the opportunity to network with local, established entrepreneurs
• Vendors will be given a table in the Great Hall to showcase and sell their products and/or services.

Alumni/10K Small Business Registration