The "Business of Joy" theme at the Good Business Summit perfectly captured the success of a powerful collaboration now unfolding at the Academy @ Shawnee. Students from Shawnee were on hand to showcase the pilot of the new Canopy "Business Beyond Profit" curriculum, an innovative unit born from a shared vision between Canopy’s Director of Education, Adam Watson, and JCPS educator Dr. Reginald McDaniel.
This vital partnership began last year when Dr. McDaniel attended the Summit with students, connecting with Adam over the idea that business could be a force for good. They worked together to develop this free, turn-key curriculum, designed to help high school students redefine success. Through hands-on lessons and real-world examples, students learn that profit and purpose are inseparable, ultimately inspiring a new generation of leaders to find joy in building businesses that serve their communities.
Panel Spotlight: Solving West End Problems with Purpose
A key feature of the Summit was a powerful panel discussion, moderated by Dr. McDaniel, featuring six Shawnee business students: Penelope, Devontay, Jerrel, Jordan, Anthony, and Mercedes. The students detailed how the Canopy curriculum equipped them with the tools and mindset necessary to address acute social and economic challenges facing their home community, the West End.
The Problem and the Solution
The students spoke candidly about living in an area that is historically underserved, highlighting major gaps in resources and infrastructure:
Resource Gap & Role Models: "I think if we installed a new type of program that gives kids leaders to look up to... it would really help with their future," shared Mercedes, emphasizing the need for mentorship and support structures that counter failure.
Infrastructure Barriers: Students noted challenges like poor transportation and a lack of access to key resources. They also pointed out the issue of limited reliable internet access—a problem that Dr. McDaniel confirmed was critical for urban students, especially during COVID.
The curriculum challenged the students to find solutions to these issues through entrepreneurship:
Real-World Consulting: They acted as a consulting firm for local businesses, tackling real problems like marketing and expansion. They created a strategy for Blak Koffee that helped drive increased followers, and they treated the opening of the restaurant Loaded like a client project.
Purpose-Driven Ventures: The students’ business pitches directly targeted community needs. For example, the creation of Snap Models solved a networking problem for local photographers and models, and Strawberries was designed to combat environmental decay through community clean-up.
As Jordan summarized: "Honestly, it gave us a good insight on how business is to make money and help communities, not just solely making profits.”
Key Takeaways for Partners & Employers
When asked for advice for adults and future employers, the students and educators offered clear guidance for business partners and the broader community:
Challenge Assumptions: "If they have a bad background, they are 100% capable of handling that job." Students are urging employers to check their own biases and look beyond perceived deficits or stereotypes related to background or community. They are asking partners to recognize the high potential and valuable skills acquired through Academy experiences, regardless of prior adversity.
Listen with Patience: Educators stressed the importance of granting young people "patience and understanding" and creating a safe platform for open dialogue because students "are willing to be vulnerable and willing to share if they feel safe." Fostering a workplace culture of respect and psychological safety allows young talent to fully engage and contribute, maximizing the return on investment for partners who hire them.
Student Superstar: Jerrel Thompson's FairFit
The Summit culminated with a significant achievement for student Jerrel Thompson, who was honored with the first annual NextGen GoodBiz Student Superstar Award and recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
Jerrel delivered a keynote address detailing his final business pitch, FairFit, a clothing company designed to be both sustainable and affordable. Jerrel’s core philosophy perfectly captures the spirit of the curriculum: "At FairFit we believe that fairness isn't just an idea; it should be worn."
Jerrel's creativity, persistence, and commitment to the values taught in the "Business Beyond Profit" curriculum exemplify purpose-driven leadership.
Spreading the Joy: A State-Wide Vision
The success of this pilot at the Academy @ Shawnee confirms the immense value of experiential, purpose-driven learning. Canopy is now bringing the "Business Beyond Profit" curriculum to other JCPS schools and is even collaborating with the Kentucky legislature to explore rolling it out across the state, ensuring more students can find the joy in building businesses that serve their communities.