BUILD

BUILD’s mission is to use entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success. BUILD tackles the soaring high school drop-out rate that, in some cases, has reached 54% following students’ freshman year. CFEE plays a key role in reversing this trend in the BUILD Metro DC chapter by providing logistical, curricular, and financial support.

Unlike many other college-preparation programs, BUILD actively seeks to serve students who struggle academically when they enter high school. BUILD piques student interest by focusing on business concepts during the program’s first year. Once these young entrepreneurs are hooked, BUILD adds more academic components each year thereafter. A college education remains BUILD’s ultimate goal from the first day of high school, as the program continuously emphasizes its three core areas:

Education
Financial Responsibility
Self-Confidence

Founded in 2008, the BUILD Metro DC chapter serves nearly 200 students and over 25 business teams from the following three charter schools:

Roosevelt Senior High School
Eastern Senior High School
Maya Angelou Public Charter School – Evans Campus

The 5th Annual Youth Business Plan Competition was held at the George Washington University School of Business, courtesy of CFEE, on May 11, 2013. 9th grade students from BUILD Metro DC’s three charter schools competed for startup capital to launch their entrepreneurial ventures.

BUILD is always looking for talented and dedicated mentors and volunteers for its students. Consider donating your time and skills to empower students and budding entrepreneurs.

Please visit BUILD’s website and follow @BUILDNational on Twitter to learn more.