georgia state university Archives

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: 2021 Economic Outlook with Professor Rajeev Dhawan, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University

January 26, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: 2021 Economic Outlook with Professor Rajeev Dhawan, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University

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Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: 2021 Economic Outlook with Professor Rajeev Dhawan, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 55)

Georgia State University’s Dr. Rajeev Dhawan joined this GNFCC WellStar Chamber Luncheon to offer his perspective on the metro Atlanta, Georgia, and national economies. He also commented on singular advantages which North Fulton possesses which aid in recovery, and why he believes a national recovery will not begin in earnest until 2022.

The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright, and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. John Ray and North Fulton Business RadioX served as the media sponsor for this event.

Professor Rajeev Dhawan, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University

**Professor Rajeev Dhawan, Georgia State University**

Professor Rajeev Dhawan wears a dual hat as holder of the Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting and as Director of the Economic Forecasting Center at the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

As director of one of the country’s premiere forecasting centers, Dhawan develops forecasts for the U.S., Southeast regional and local metro Atlanta economies. These forecasts are regularly published and presented to business executives and the media at the Center’s popular, well-respected quarterly forecasting conferences.

Dr. Rajeev Dhawan has served as an advisor to several local and state government agencies and numerous publicly-held companies such as Coca-Cola, Georgia Power, Raymond James and Turner Broadcasting, among others. He currently serves as the chair of the advisory committee for regional growth for the Atlanta Regional Commission and is also a member of the Georgia Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors since 2003.

Dr. Dhawan’s academic research analyzes U.S. business cycles with a special emphasis on the role of credit markets on growth and survival of small firms.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events such as this North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Lunch, follow this link.

For the complete show archive of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” go to GNFCC400Insider.com. “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

New Product Launch Strategy, with Monique Mills, TPM Focus

December 15, 2020 by John Ray

Alpharetta Tech Talk

New Product Launch Strategy, with Monique Mills, TPM Focus

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New Product Launch Strategy, with Monique Mills, TPM Focus (“Alpharetta Tech Talk”, Episode 21)

Monique Mills of TPM Focus joined host John Ray to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, how she helps start-ups and other businesses with new product launches, why everyone’s own future involves entrepreneurship in some form, and much more. “Alpharetta Tech Talk” is produced virtually by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Monique Mills, CEO, TPM Focus, LLC

Monique Mills is a degreed electrical engineer turned serial entrepreneur. She attended Rochester Institute of Technology for her engineering degree and completed her MBA, with a concentration on Management of Technology, at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a licensed Realtor(R) as well as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Monique began her career in the semiconductor industry then went on to hold positions in the energy, aviation, real estate, and technology industries. Monique’s earliest entrepreneurial experience began while simultaneously working in her engineering career. As a result of her love of real estate, construction, and desire to manage her personal investment transactions, she became a licensed Realtor and launched a real estate sales and consulting business to assist other investors in strategic planning and execution of their real estate ventures. Monique has expertise in buying, selling, leasing, and construction management of both residential and commercial properties. She is a Member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors.

Monique has founded four companies, one of which was a SaaS technology startup targeting the commercial real estate and retail industry. Currently, she is the CEO of TPM Focus, a strategy consulting firm providing revenue-focused strategy and execution services to startups and SMB’s launching new products.

Monique lends her talents to startup incubators and accelerators around the country including serving as a Mentor for Founder Institute, a Startup Coach for the Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech, and serving as an Advisory Board Member for Stem to Market, a Kauffman Foundation-funded accelerator of the Association for Women in Science that supports STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) entrepreneurs seeking commercialization of their research and technology. She is an advocate for the diversification of STEM careers, expanded leadership, and equitable entrepreneurial opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities.

Monique is an Adjunct Instructor of Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University in the College of Business as part of the University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute teaching students how to apply evidence-based entrepreneurship methods to go from an idea to a sustainable business model.

Company website

Monique on LinkedIn

Question/Topics Covered in this Interview

Taking an electrical engineering experience, adding an MBA, and leveraging it as tech startup founder.
Tech startup founder as a Black person and as a woman.
Facing burnout.
The addiction to the torture of entrepreneurship even though you have other “safer” options.
Connection to Georgia Tech and desire to be helpful in whatever capacity in higher education (especially STEM and even teaching entrepreneurship at GSU)
The challenges encountered with established small businesses.
The challenges encountered with startups.
How the future is entrepreneurship, in some capacity, for everyone.

About “Alpharetta Tech Talk”

“Alpharetta Tech Talk” is the radio show/podcast home of the burgeoning technology sector in Alpharetta and the surrounding GA 400 and North Fulton area. We feature key technology players from a dynamic region of over 900 technology companies. “Alpharetta Tech Talk” comes to you from from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® and is hosted by John Ray.

Past episodes of “Alpharetta Tech Talk” can be found at alpharettatechtalk.com.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $12.9 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you.

Leadercast: Robin Mladinich with Georgia State University

August 9, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Leadercast: Robin Mladinich with Georgia State University

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Robin Mladinich, Director and Executive Coach, Executive MBA Program at Georgia State University, has twenty years of experience in global leadership and program development. Expertise in coaching and growing high potential executives; creating leadership development programs and curriculum to evoke transformation; facilitating and managing international programs.

Highlights include establishing Executive MBA leadership and coaching program, creating a 12-month Executive Leadership Academy for Women, launching and directing Global Partners MBA program, revamping global internship program, and decommissioning of paramilitary weapons in Northern Ireland as part of the Peace Process. Track record of success in leading programs and leading others. Strong team building, talent management, and strategic-thinking skills.

Connect with Robin on LinkedIn.

About Leadercast

Leadercast is dedicated to building leaders others will follow by providing solutions, events and resources for individuals, teams, organizations and corporations across all industries. Whether you need tools to lead yourself, your team or your company, Leadercast will guide you on your journey to being a leader worth following.

About Your Host

Pat Hurston is a highly dedicated and resourceful corporate and non-profit executive with over 30 years of experience in all aspects of executive leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising. She has a proven record of fostering organizational efficiency and growth and is adept at the effective leadership of any size staff.

Pat has a passion for women and children issues and providing leadership in the business community as a servant leader, serving as a volunteer, board member and advisor to the board, to help make positive change.

Connect with Pat on LinkedIn.

Baiyina Jihad with Beyond the Classroom, Jamine Moton with Skylar Security and GSU Peer Mentor Kiara Henry

April 8, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Baiyina Jihad with Beyond the Classroom, Jamine Moton with Skylar Security and GSU Peer Mentor Kiara Henry

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Baiyina Jihad is a native of Atlanta who was raised in the communities of West End and East Atlanta. Baiyina loved the city so much she attended Georgia State University. During her senior year in college, she applied and got accepted to Teach for America. She is now entering her 4th year of teaching 3rd-grade reading and writing at her placement school.

During her teaching, she noticed a startling pattern; a large number of students enter 3rd grade reading below their grade level. Thus, inspiring Beyond the Classroom. As a solo founder, she participated in numerous programs such as Goodie Nation, 4.0 schools and Female Founder school to receive mentorship and capital. She was featured in Hypopatmus and Fast Company.

She is currently working on her third pilot of Beyond the Classroom and expanding her partnerships with organizations and individuals.

Connect with Baiyina on LinkedIn and follow Beyond the Classroom on Facebook.

Jamine Moton, CEO of Skylar Security, has 15+ years of Law Enforcement and Private Security experience. She served as a Law Enforcement Professional for a Metro Atlanta Police Department. Jamine has 10+ years of experience in corporate training and development, security process strategy and assessments, security team management and concept implementation.

Jamine holds a Master’s degree in Training and Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. Both degrees were received from Clemson University.

Connect with Jamine on LinkedIn, and follow Skylar Security on Facebook.

Kiara Henry serves as a Panther LEAP Peer Mentor and an Executive Board member for the Georgia State Chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization. Henry is also an honors student in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Journalism with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is also a proud alumna of the WomenLead program.

Henry is committed to bringing value to students in her roles by connecting them with resources around Georgia State University and the city of Atlanta to guide them through their goals. Her training as a Cultural Ambassador for Georgia State University and her passion for social justice motivates her to create inclusive environments for the diverse student population she serves in her role as a student leader.

She envisions expanding her commitment to social justice and inclusion outside of Georgia State University to entrepreneurship. She plans to achieve this goal by making ethics the forefront of her digital marketing business. Henry uses the journalistic style of writing in combination with visual elements of graphic design, photography, and videography to tell authentic stories through digital media.

Connect with Kiara on LinkedIn.

Dr. Nancy Mansfield with WomenLead, Dr. Isabelle Moniouis with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute and Nastai Ndebele with Our Journey Through Code

April 8, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Dr. Nancy Mansfield with WomenLead, Dr. Isabelle Moniouis with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute and Nastai Ndebele with Our Journey Through Code

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Nancy R. Mansfield serves as the Director of the WomenLead Program and Senior Faculty Associate for Women’s Leadership Development at Georgia State University. Professor Mansfield has long been committed to excellence and innovation in undergraduate education and to experiential learning as part of the university experience. She brings significant depth and breadth of experience to the women’s leadership initiative. Throughout her career in education, Professor Mansfield has built curricula and programs across disciplines, including developing and teaching courses on business, law and ethics.

Most recently, she has served as Professor of Legal Studies, Department of Risk Management and Insurance, and Faculty Associate for Scholars in the Honors College. During her tenure at GSU, she also served as the Director of Freshman Studies for Georgia State from 2001-2003.

Professor Mansfield has won a number of national, college and university-wide awards for her excellence in teaching, research and service, including the Outstanding Service to Students Award at GSU. She serves as a founding member of the Steering Committee of the Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) at Georgia State University, and as the vice-chair of the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Girls School and as a member of the Georgia State University Foundation Board.

Follow WomenLead on LinkedIn and Twitter.

As the Associate Director of the H.J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship, at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute, Dr. Isabelle Monlouis is entrusted to define and execute a strategic vision to amplify initiatives for inclusive entrepreneurship so that students from all backgrounds can successfully innovate and create value for themselves, and their communities.

In teaching, Dr. Monlouis shares practical insights gathered from 15+ years of experience designing and delivering high-impact leadership development and corporate innovation consulting programs on 3 continents. Current and past clients include General Electric, McDonald’s, Kraft Foods, GlaxoSmithKline, DirectTV, and lnterTek. Current research interests involve entrepreneurial leadership and organizational learning.

An entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Monlouis is committed to using industry best practices to develop entrepreneurship programs that scale for impact. Students say that root causes of Isabelle’s success as a coach and mentor include authenticity, humor, partnership, flexibility, tenacity and … straight talk. That’s may explain why when she is not at Georgia State University, Dr. Monlouis is most likely to be found meditating aboard the planes taking her from customer engagement to customer engagement.

Connect with Dr. Monlouis on LinkedIn.

Natsai Ndebele is currently a student at Georgia State University, studying Computer Science. She is passionate about technology, and increasing diversity and inclusion in technology for women and other minorities. Natsai is the co-founder of Our Journey Through Code and a mentor with organizations such as Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code. Natsai started her organization, Our Journey Through Code with a purpose of, “increasing diversity in technology, especially for women and underrepresented minorities.”

“By highlighting the many faces in technology, I hope to inspire more minorities to enter the tech world, break stereotypes and biases, and build a community for us with mentors while creating inclusion.”

Follow Our Journey Through Code on LinkedIn.

Ben Lawrence with Robinson College of Business, Minal Patel with MP Hospitality and Dr. Geoffrey Graybeal with GSU

April 8, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Ben Lawrence with Robinson College of Business, Minal Patel with MP Hospitality and Dr. Geoffrey Graybeal with GSU

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Dr. Ben Lawrence is the Aziz Hashim endowed Professor in Franchise Entrepreneurship. Lawrence focuses on topics that intersect service operations and marketing with a particular interest in franchise relationships . Lawrence’s broad domains of interest include the impact of organizational form on performance, consumer coproduction, and service innovation. He has published research articles in such journals as Industrial Marketing Management , International Journal of Research in Marketing. Journal of Advertising, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Retailing, Service Science and the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly.

Prior to joining Georgia State University, he was on the faculty at Cornell University where he was honored with the Hotel School Teacher of the Year Award for freshman core in 2013 and 2015. He has won best paper awards from Service Science in 2015 and the International Society of Franchising in 2016. He currently serves as VP and Treasurer of the lnternational Society of Franchising and VP of Programs for the POM College of Service Operations.

Connect with Dr. Lawrence on LinkedIn.

Minal Patel, Hospitality Professional at MP Hospitality.

Connect with Minal on LinkedIn.

Geoffrey Graybeal, Ph.D, is a clinical assistant professor in the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, where he teaches courses on entrepreneurship through the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute.

Dr. Graybeal is a media management scholar and entrepreneur who uses management theory to explore issues of media sustainability. He studies entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education, online and mobile strategy, new business models, micropayments and crowdfunding, among other topics. He has published research in journals such as the International Journal on Media Management and Journal of Media Business Studies. He is the Immediate Past Head of the Media Management, Economics & Entrepreneurship division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

He co-founded Lede, LLC, a social media and business model innovation consultancy, while earning his doctorate. Prior to coming to Georgia State, Dr. Graybeal taught courses on entrepreneurship and media management for several years, served as a mentor to a number of startups, developed and led a student pitch competition, and contributed to developing an emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in West Texas.

Connect with Dr. Graybeal on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Dr. Leonard Jackson and Benie Amani with GSU and James Chidi Okolo and Tim Sok with nSpire

April 8, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Dr. Leonard Jackson and Benie Amani with GSU and James Chidi Okolo and Tim Sok with nSpire

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Dr. Leonard Jackson, a Clinical Professor at GSU, is an award-winning professor who specializes in business development and venture financial management. He earned a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University; Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (M.S.E.), University of Florida; Master of Science in Management Information Engagement, Innovation, and Impact through Entrepreneurship (M.S.E.), University of Florida; Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS), Oklahoma State University; Master of Business Administration (MBA}, University of Guelph, Canada; Master of Accounting (MAcc.), Florida Atlantic University; and Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada. He also pursued post-doctoral studies in entrepreneurship and accounting at the University of Florida. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Jackson held senior managerial positions and acquired extensive international corporate experience in the areas of financial management and control; accounting; auditing; feasibility analysis; asset management and; operations management. He also co-founded and managed his own venture.

Dr. Jackson is the recipient of numerous excellence in teaching awards at the university, college and departmental levels. He has also been awarded for his research and is currently conducting research in the areas of entrepreneurial ecosystems and venture financing. He has published over 50 intellectual contributions and has presented his work at academic and industry conferences. He currently serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals and his works have been cited in both industry and leading academic publications. In addition to his academic endeavors,

Dr.Jackson has been involved in executive development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean region. He has also consulted with and executed executive and professional development workshops for national and global organizations including Intercontinental Hotel Group. He also serves as a visiting professor at ESSEC Business School, Paris, France.

Benie Amani is a business student at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of business. She is pursuing a degree in managerial sciences with a minor in entrepreneurship. She was chosen for the entrepreneurship and innovation institute’s special internship course and is currently working with a small business called TQ Intelligence as part of it.

She is a senior planning to graduate in May and is also a part of the Robinson College of business Honors Program, and the Georgia State University Honors College.

Connect with Benie on LinkedIn.

James Chidi Okolo is founder and CEO of nSpire, LLC and is currently a sophomore studying for his undergraduate degree in Business Economics and Entrepreneurship. He has taken advantage of many of the opportunities provided by Georgia State University, but more specifically LaunchGSU- Georgia State’s on-campus student Incubator.

He is an ambassador for the LaunchGSU program and collaborated with the incubator on an incentive program for LaunchGSU members.

During his first 2 years at Georgia State University, Chidi maintained a GPA of 3.7 while also making headway in his entrepreneurial ventures.
As CEO of nSpire LLC, Chidi is in charge of overseeing all company operations as well as making day to day business decisions.

An analytical thinker and a dreamer, Chidi Okolo is a young entrepreneur who has high standards and expectations for himself and his team. He continues to expose himself to different perspectives in order to make effective business decisions.

Tim Sok is a Sophomore at Georgia State University, he will be attending the J. Mack Robinson College of Business in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship. During his first two years at Georgia State University, Tim has been inducted as a brother of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Incorporated; He has also had the opportunity to join the executive board of Beard Gang Student Alliance as marketing director and spearheaded a program with LaunchGSU, Georgia State’s on-campus student incubator.

In addition, Tim has had work experience since the age of 15; he is currently working part-time as a server at Sushi NAMI and started working there as a Freshman. Lastly, Tim Sok is a founder and current president of nSpire, LLC. As president, he focuses on brand development and marketing, while overseeing day to day operations.

Tim is both a dreamer and a do-er. He believes in big dreams and hard work, as a first-generation American he aims to set a powerful foundation for the future.

Follow nSpire on Instagram.

T’Keyah Johnson with GSU’s IBMS, Biomedical Enterprise Master’s student Amani Mallory and Future Ethics and Compliance Specialist Anika Tahsin

March 7, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

T'Keyah Johnson with GSU's IBMS, Biomedical Enterprise Master's student Amani Mallory and Future Ethics and Compliance Specialist Anika Tahsin

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T’Keyah Johnson is the Graduate Program Coordinator for IBMS, and is responsible for student recruitment, advising and program administration. T’Keyah received her BS in Financial Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is currently working on her M.Ed from Tiffin University.

Follow IBMS on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Amani Mallory is a IBMS Biomedical Enterprise Master’s Student. She has a B.S., Biological Sciences from GSU and was a researcher in Dr. Kang’s influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Anika Tahsin recently completed her master’s in Biomedical Enterprise at Georgia State University where she also worked as a GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) and analyzed the probability of miRNAs being a mediator in the interaction between the host intestine and fecal microbiota. Anika has been exposed to the general pharmaceutical operational and strategic system overview by the renowned company UCB Pharma through coursework. She also served as a Patient Value Intern at UCB over the summer of 2018 as well. During the internship, Anika worked on her own research review project, along with gaining exposure to regulatory, compliance, and market access related activities.

Anika has experience in conducting organizational entrepreneurship innovation and customer experience and customer value improvement course projects. She obtained skills in basic microbial laboratory techniques – such as bacterial cell cultures in liquid and solid media, histology, genotyping, and PCR operation. She has two years of combined working experience in research environment in a biophysics and a biology lab.

Connect with Anika on LinkedIn.

Dr. Nelson Pizarro with GSU & EgoStatic Industries LLC and Elijah Sullivan & Jasmin Chestnut with Social Entrepreneurship Club

February 8, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Dr. Nelson Pizarro with GSU & EgoStatic Industries LLC and Elijah Sullivan & Jasmin Chestnut with Social Entrepreneurship Club

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Nelson Pizarro is the Director of B.I.S. in Social Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at GSU. He is also the CEO at EcoStatic Industries LLC. He received his DBA in Business Administration at Grenoble Ecole of Management, France. He also received an MBA from the University of Florida and a BBA from Washington State University. His primary research interest is opportunity finding, entrepreneurship education and sustainability in organizations. Dr. Pizarro has published in journals, such as Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, New England Journal of Entrepreneurship and Economies et sociétés. He helped start up 6 companies including business consulting, consumer electronics, consume electronics refurbishing, and automatic vehicle location systems. In April of 2012, he launched EcoStatic Inc. He has done business in 46 countries. He also has experience in a corporate environment working for multinational companies such Brother International and Uniden. In the government sector, he worked for Americorps as a full time volunteer, Miami Dade Community College, and at the City of Gainesville, FL, as the Small and Minority Business Development Coordinator. Currently, he teaches full time at California Lutheran University entrepreneurship courses. When he is not teaching he meditates, practice yoga and bikes. https://www.ecostaticinc.com/

Follow Nelson Pizarro on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Elijah Sullivan is a Junior at Georgia State University studying Computer Information Systems and Mathematics. He founded and currently resides as president for the Social Entrepreneurship Club and works with Henry Health, a digital health startup aiming to provide culturally competent therapy for black men. Interests include blockchain, investing, data science and education.

Follow Elijah Sullivan on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Jasmin Chestnut is a film student at Georgia State University who aims to use film as a tool to bring people together. She sees social entrepreneurship as a way for people to put their minds together to solve the problems we see in our everyday lives.