Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Workforce development and Entrepreneurship training:the ivillage legacy project trains low-income west jackson residents to build wealth through job readiness, business startups, and improved life skills. The expected outcomes are to foster economic growth and self-sufficiency in the community. This year, the Center had two classes with six participants each. All 12 participants completed the six-week training program. Currently, 75% of the participants are operating businesses. Over 90% of the program is funded by external grant funds.

Summer camp:the e-steam summer camp was a four-week educational enrichment program for 15 youth in the 3rd through 5th grades residing in the targeted neighborhood in june 2023. This camp encouraged creativity, innovation, and exposure to science, technology, engineering, Entrepreneurship, arts, and mathematics and other activities such as, vocabulary enrichment, programming robots, gardening, sports, cooking, and recreation.

Housing purchases/acquisition:the Center purchased 9 abandoned and blighted neighborhood properties for future redevelopment. Six properties were tax-forfeited lots from the ms secretary of state office, 2 from a local nonprofit, and 1 from a private owner. The acquisition and redevelopment of these properties are integral to the Center's mission and strategic plan.