According to the U.S. Census, throughout the last decade, African Americans in Pittsburgh have had one of the highest unemployment rates among major metropolitan regions in the country at 19%.The black unemployment rate in this region was 2.6 times the unemployment rate among whites, the 7th largest disparity among the top 40 regions in the country.
In response to this regional crisis, four years ago, Manchester Academic Charter School and Entrepreneuring Youth began the MACS Entrepreneur I-Own program to provide our middle school students and their families a greater understanding of economic opportunities; teach business acumen; and provide students with the essential skills to pursue professional aspirations. Working with coaches and mentors, all participants work towards discovering a business opportunity aligned with their personal interest then tasked to create a business plan, market their product/service, and compete in a regional business plan competition.
The MACS IOWN students are taught by an experienced team of educators and professional volunteer mentors.