In This Issue The CEO of (RED) will speak at this month's SEI Speaker Series, Northeastern will host this year's Clinton Global Initiative University
In This Issue
The CEO of (RED) will speak at this month's SEI Speaker Series, Northeastern will host this year's Clinton Global Initiative University meeting, and insightful articles on social enterprise from SEI students, alums, and faculty.
From the Founder & Executive Director
"The Business of America is Business!” By Professor Dennis R. Shaughnessy
“The business of America is business!” This quote is attributed to Presidents Coolidge and later to Reagan, who are often cited by historians as the most “pro-business” presidents. Many see newly elected President Trump as the latest addition to the pro-business club. The question for us as we begin 2017 is whether our leaders will drift away from the values that lead to truly great companies in a frenzy to capitalize on the financial opportunities presented by a “pro-business” administration. Read more here.
News & Spotlight
Starbucks' Corporate Commitment to Refugees By Emily O'Connor
On January 29, 2017, Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, released a letter to Starbucks’ employees and partners outlining a company initiative to hire 10,000 refugees. The international coffee chain giant is committing to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years in the 75 countries worldwide where has business operations. Read more here.
Co-op Spotlight: Mariel Natanawan By Mariel Natanawan
When I first came to Northeastern University, I was inspired by the idea of making a difference. Throughout all of my experiences I was challenged to think further about what it really means to make a difference. I was lucky enough to find that my co-op as Executive Assistant for the CEO Office at (RED) was the perfect match for what I had been looking for. Read more here.
Alumni Spotlight: Robbie Madfis, SoliPoints By Kayla O'Neill
This month we sat down with Robbie Madfis, a recent SEI alum, to chat about his experiences working for SoliPoints, a new business venture that is looking to combat climate change by leveraging consumer spending. Read more here.
BuildOn and the Value of Service Learning By Joanna Moore
In countless movies, TV shows, and books, urban youth are told that education is their ticket out of poverty, and their ticket out of the neighborhood where they grew up. It’s true in the movies, and it’s true in reality. Only about half of inner city youth in America graduate from high school. BuildOn is part of the solution. Read more here.
The (Potential) Social Impact of Valentine’s Day By Emily O'Connor
American consumers spent approximately $20 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2016. As February 14th approaches, it is important for Americans to be mindful of their power as consumers. Here are some more meaningful Valentine’s gifts from ethical and socially conscious companies that help address poverty, human trafficking, and other social issues. Read more here.
Chirps Chips are a Six Foods product made with cricket flour.
Is Six Foods a Social Enterprise? By Sarah Shutt
In the quest to find a more sustainable, ethical, and environmentally friendly source of protein, Laura D'Asaro found her answer at a market in Tanzania: crickets. Since this discovery, D’Asaro and two friends founded Six Foods and began the production and distribution of their signature snacks, Chirps Chips and Chocolate Chirps, made with cricket flour. Their commitment to the environment and healthy living is engraved into their mission, but is Six Foods a social enterprise? Read more here.
Davis Smith at the November 2016 SEI Speaker Series
Speaker Series Reflection: Cotopaxi’s Davis Smith By Ritika Kumbharkar
I thoroughly enjoyed the talk given by the Cotopaxi’s CEO and Founder, Davis Smith, as part of last semester’s SEI Speaker Series, and it pushed me to seriously consider designating more time for my own dream of starting a social enterprise in India to promote women’s empowerment. Read more here.
TSiBA's Tinashe Munyuki Recognized with Prestigious Scholarship By Cayman Macdonald
Exciting news from our partner institution in South Africa, the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA): a top scholar graduating this year, Tinashe Munyuki, has been awarded the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study. Read more here.
SEI Speaker Series: Deb Dugan, CEO of (RED) Wednesday, February 15, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Raytheon Amphitheater, Egan Center
Learn from Deb Dugan, the leader of (RED), a nonprofit founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and consumers to help fight AIDS in Africa. Dugan will share her experiences leading the impact-driven brand. Tea, coffee, & snacks will be served. Learn more here.
Clinton Global Initiative University
Northeastern recently announced it will host CGI U 2017 on October 13-15, 2017. This event attracts students from 80+ countries and seeks to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses in addressing this generation’s most pressing challenges. The early decision and funding assistance deadline is March 1. The final application deadline is May 1. Learn more and apply here.
BuildOn
Join the movement to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations. We spend our semester volunteering, mentoring, and fundraising to support global education and gender equality. Like them on Facebook and email NUbuildOn@neu.edu to join the mailing list.
Global Opportunities
* Program Director Co-op at Manna Project International - Nicaragua/Ecuador
* Co-op at TSiBA Education - South Africa
* Co-op or Intern at Mercado Global in Community Outreach, Marketing and Graphics Intern, and Social Media - Brooklyn/Guatemala
Do you have News for SEI?
Contribute to the SEI monthly newsletter! Contact Kayla at oneill.kay@husky.neu.edu for more information.
Contact Us
For all inquires, please contact the Social Enterprise Institute at sei@neu.edu.
Disclaimer:The content of this newsletter is developed by undergraduate students. Submissions are solicited and in some cases edited by students, with the guidance of SEI staff. Nothing herein has been specifically endorsed by the DMSB.