2021 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Our 25 GlobalMindED/Every Learner Everywhere Ambassadors are resilient role models. Our feature story today, Rontavius Coley, not only graduated early from college at Georgia Highlands to save money during the pandemic, he also became an entrepreneur and beat the odds to start a thriving business that gives hope and energy to every one of his customers.
We are proud to share the story about his new venture, along with all of our 25 Student Ambassadors who represent hundreds of GlobalMindED students and millions of students who are immigrants, refugees and low-income grads making the most out of this tough time to EMERGE COVID-strong.
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Rontavious Coley unveiled his next big step towards obtaining his dream — opening up a sneaker shop. The Early Way, located on Broad Street in Rome Georgia, opened April 3. The store features hype, limited sneakers and apparel that are typically hard to obtain. You can see his store on his Instagram page: @theearlyway247
“We only have one life that is guaranteed, so spend it doing something your heart desires,” said Coley. “Nobody in my family has ever had a business, so I wanted to change that.” “It was a lifelong dream of mine to open up a business,” said Coley.
“I have always loved shoes, but I used to not be able to afford them when I was younger. All of that changed when I bought my first pair,” said Coley. “And then I bought another pair. I then sold one of them so I could make more money to buy more pairs, and then fast-forward to the present, and here we are.”
“It means the world to me that I get the chance to do something that I love. The sneaker community is a very caring community who look out for each other and show love. I don’t care about money, I just care about the chance of sharing the same passion I have for sneakers with others,” Coley said.
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One of the main reasons Coley opened up his own sneaker store was to be a pioneer in his family. He has always been very passionate about shoes and is the first in his family to open up a business.
Coley said, “Georgia Highlands has given me the chance to actually live my dream and helped open many doors for me. Georgia Highlands has helped me a lot with networking.” Coley credits his professors and Jon Hershey, dean of humanities, for believing in him and his dream.
Hersey said, “I am extremely proud of [Coley]. I am nervous because I know this is a big step for him, but I know that he will have it under control. Coley is a very courageous person who is not afraid to take risks. I think we need more risk-takers like him, because it is truly inspiring.”
Felllow student, Davis McGinty, said he was thrilled for the appearance of Coley’s sneaker shop. McGinty said, “This makes me feel inspired and very happy to see a business involving a culture that I am so invested in, that is not very popular, come to this city. “It goes to show that you can accomplish your dreams if you are determined. It is also great that I know Coley. I hope that Coley helps bring more awareness of the sneaker culture to Rome. I will definitely be there at the grand opening,”
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Edwin Chavez also had something to say about the new store, “It feels great to have a high-end sneaker store here in this small city of Rome. This store helps me, because I struggle to find shoes, and with a physical sneaker store near me, it makes the task of getting sneakers less of a hassle.
“Coley’s store opening makes me feel like anything is truly possible. It is great to see a Georgia Highlands student use the education he received to pursue his dreams. I hope Coley’s sneakers bring in customers from outside the city and help the Rome community too,” Chavez said.
Coley hopes his store will bring more awareness to sneaker culture in the Northwest Georgia area and hopes he is making a step in the right direction.
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Click below to watch the Inclusive Leader Award Ceremony featuring inspirational messages from the diverse Award Winners
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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