Magic at Middlebury

Middlebury is one of the first colleges to establish a center for social entrepreneurship (CSE). The CSE supports the Middlebury family through programs, grants, fellowships, and most importantly, a community for those who are creating, or aspire to create, sustainable social impact through the application of business acumen. Since its founding 3 years ago, the CSE has put on a Symposium every January to celebrate two leading social entrepreneurs with the Vision Awards, and to provide a forum that will educate and engage people as contributing members of their communities. 

I was thrilled when Professor Jon Isham, the Faculty Director of the CSE invited me to participate in this special week at Middlebury. And that is why I found myself on my first visit to Vermont, arriving in -30 degree weather that made my 3 layers of pants feel insufficient. Not to worry though because any hesitations about Middlebury from the weather were quickly quelled when I came across a store called "Ben Franklin"!!! Upon this sighting, I knew I was going to like this town.

*For those of you who don't know, Benjamin Franklin is my favorite founding father (monsta shout-out). To me, he is a quintessential social entrepreneur who invented the first library, fire company, insurance company and non-religious college! I took a whole class with Dr. Joyce Chaplin on Ben Franklin and quote the man frequently.

Anyways... :). I spoke in Jon's seminar class on Social Entrepreneurship in the Liberal Arts, and over the course of the week, I got to spend quality time with almost all of the 13 students. I was so impressed by what this group of student have done, and what they plan to accomplish. There was Rabeya, who had taught deaf women how to sew as a means of economic empowerment; Gaby, who used dance as an empowerment tool for inner-city youth in Chicago; Debanjan, who did spoken word and hiphop with teens in NY, and I could go on for hours about these incredible students. I got to watch their dance and musical performances, attended the events they organized, and scoped out their dining halls (nom nom). 

In addition to sharing my story with SE, I worked with the class to organize Hangouts On Air (HOA's) with Ashoka Fellows, leading social entrepreneurs, who work in education. Huge props to Jon and Erin Krampetz, a superstar from the Ashoka U team, who brought the Ashoka Fellows on board. These HOA's embodied education innovation because the students were able to connect live with leaders that they researched. These social entrepreneurs very kindly tuned in from places like Uganda and South Africa, and it would have been difficult for them to visit Middlebury's campus in person.The whole class watched the Hangouts On Air, and asked questions live. Check out this awesome session with James Whelton, founder of Coder Dojo. Above is Rabeya and Gaby in live conversation with the founder and director of Educate Girls Globally.

I really commend Jon Isham for running with this idea of using technology to infuse his classroom. He is a rockstar, an amazing educator, and doing an incredible job with the Middlebury CSE. 

The Symposium launched with a talk from 2014 Vision Award recipient, Shabana Basij-Rasikh. She is the co-founder and president of SOLA - the School of Leadership Afghanistan, and a Middlebury graduate. Shabana and I sat next to each other at dinner prior to the talk, and she emanates a wonderful energy and dedication to providing a world-class education for girls in Afghanistan at SOLA. This work is close to my heart because I have seen and studied the impact that educating girls can have on pulling communities out of poverty, public health, and the economic status of a country. If you want to learn more, check out this Hangout On Air I organized with Camfed and the Brookings Institution. 

Shabana's work is no small feat given the economic and security challenges that come with running a school where supplies are ridiculously expensive and the political climate is such that supporting girls' education can endanger your life. SOLA pays $2,000 for internet access and much more for guards and security. Despite it all, Shabana's message emphasized the hope that comes with the young girls that study at SOLA. 

Shabana noted that people are quick to comment on the dangerous aspects of her work, and she encouraged people to also pay attention to the positive relationships and opportunities that SOLA fosters. We, as consumers and propagators of media, influence the stories that are popularized and encouraged. Taking care not to let sensationalized reports of fear and negativity skew our views and ambitions will make a difference in what media produces in the future, and what we are able to accomplish as citizens. "Believe you can and you're half way there," right? (Thanks, T. Roosevelt). Shabana is clearly aware of the safety issues that come with her work, but she chooses not to let that stop her which is why SOLA continues to grow, thrive, and affect the lives of girls and communities in Afghanistan. 

One of the students from SOLA gave an adorable speech. Shy and giggling at the podium, she introduced herself, saying "My name is X (omitted for privacy), I go to SOLA, and I love... (here, she looks away with a mischievous giggle and mile-wide smile before taking a deep breath to say...) I love YOGA! Hahahaha it was so cute. I wasn't expecting that at all, and I laughed really hard. The student later told me that that yoga is kind of bada*s in her community, hence her hesitation. 

The next day, we heard from the fabulous Laura White, who manages the Changemaker Schools Network at Ashoka. She is helping children and schools develop roots of empathy and and it was a treat to be in the presence of her contagious enthusiasm and positive energy again. 

Next, we hosted a Hangout with leading social entrepreneurs including 5 Ashoka fellows and organizations. We projected the conversation for the whole audience to see and welcomed their questions and participation. This was magical:

After incredible workshops, the Symposium closed with a talk from the other Vision Award recipient, David Bornstein!!! This man's work - and I don't say this lightly or frequently - changed my life. He is the author of How to Change the World, founder of Dowser.org, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, and co-author of the FIXES column in The New York Times. It was David's book that started me on a long and adventurous path in social entrepreneurship that continues today. We have since crossed paths many times, and I could not think of a more fitting and deserving person for this year's Vision Award. Congrats, David and Shabana!

One point that hit home from David's talk was the need to encourage constructive thinking instead of mere critical thinking in the liberal arts. I know from personal experience that there is a destructive nature to comments made simply to object or condemn an idea in the name of "critical thinking." This closes minds and conversations to further debate, and we need to reframe how we teach  and value critical thinking in the context of real-world conversations.

I hope to see many more schools develop centers for social innovation and social entrepreneurship because it is a game-changer to have a space and community dedicated to this field. It provides a forum for people to share their ideas, and feel supported in walking off the beaten path. It galvanizes change, and thoughtful action, which was demonstrated over and over again through the stories of those who "hangout" at the CSE. For anyone who is wondering how to build a movement for social entrepreneurship on their campus, please know that this particular center was inspired by the senior thesis of David Hopkins, made possible by a generous grant from the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, and brought to life by an extraordinary staff and advisory board. Jon, Liz, Heather, Marianne, and Evan - keep up the GREAT work!