Marcus Hilliard teaches students about financial aide for college.

At “Future CEO Academy” in conjunction with Ne-Yo’s

Compound Foundation and Clark Atlanta University
Three Day Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Focuses on Youth in Foster Care System
100 Urban Entrepreneurs brings real-world experience expertise to forum

ATLANTA (July 12^th 2011)–He’s won four Grammy Awards.  He’s known worldwide, his talents sought out by one-name icons like Whitney, Celine and Beyoncé.  Now singer-songwriter, music producer and actor Ne-Yo is amassing a new army…of entrepreneurs.

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) will host the internationally renowned artist’s Compound Foundation’s “Future CEO Academy” July 14-16 on the University’s main campus in southwest Atlanta.  A select group of 50 students between the ages of 13 and 18, pre-selected by the Georgia Department of Human Services from among the state’s foster care system and group homes, will participate in an intense three-day entrepreneurship “boot camp,” led by a cohort of successful entrepreneurs, faculty experts and local officials.  Each of the students is expected to emerge with a workable business plan.

“The purpose of The Future CEO Academy is three-fold,” says Compound Foundation’s Executive Director Khalilah Abdul-Baqi.  “First, we want to empower students who, too often, are labeled and subjugated as ‘powerless.”  Second, we want to challenge them to create, define and execute their dreams in a real-world context.  Third, we want to expose them to a network of interested business professionals who can share wisdom, expertise, tactical advice and the access necessary to develop their goals.

“Frankly,” added Ne-Yo, who founded the Compound Foundation in 2007, “that’s a tall order for a three-day conference, but I can think of nowhere more appropriate and no team more capable than the faculty at the Clark Atlanta University School of Business.  They have the intellect, the expertise, the experience and the right access.”  Instructors include: CAU’s Dennis Kimbro, Ph.D., renowned author and business expert; author and businesswoman Terrie Williams, founder of the Stay Strong Foundation; Brandi and Karley Harvey, co-founders of Young Fit & Fly; and Lucas Riggins and Magnus Greaves, co-founders of 100 Urban Entrepreneurs.

Students in the academy will follow an intense three-day schedule that includes sessions on:  entrepreneurialism fundamentals, business plan development, business creation strategies, business management, intellectual property law, idea pitching and business promoting and presentation skills.  The program concludes with a business pitch competition sponsored by 100 Urban Entrepreneurs, who will award $10,000 to invest in youth business ventures. In addition, as part of Samsung Electronics America’s donation of $25,000 worth of products to Ne-Yo’s philanthropic organization, the company will reward each student participating in The Future CEO Academy with a new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, a premium Android™ 3.1 (Honeycomb) mobile tablet with an ultra-slim, lightweight design and brilliant 10.1-inch touchscreen display.

Clark Atlanta University President Carlton E. Brown says “The Future CEO Academy is simply the right approach to educating youth who will have to compete in the 21st century global economy.  More important,” the President added, “it aligns perfectly with Clark Atlanta’s deep, overarching commitment and focus on entrepreneurship.”

Lucas Riggins, co-founder of 100 Urban Entrepreneurs says “It’s frustrating to see how many talented kids are out there looking to do better for themselves with these great ideas but nowhere to turn for advice on how to make their dreams a reality.”Co-founder Magnus Greaves states “We at 100 Urban Entrepreneurs are excited to partner up with Ne-Yo and the Compound Foundation for The Future CEO Academy. This is the reason we started 100 UE- to help those who want to help themselves by establishing their own business, and what better way to go than with our youth.” 100 UE, who has a proven track record of successfully partnering with key celebs to help bring attention to their efforts, counts renowned Producer Bryan Michael-Cox as a member of the Board, and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as an avid supporter. So much so that he personally donated $100,000 of his own money to the organization and has pledged to continue his efforts in raising awareness of the non-profit.

Addition conference supporters include:  KFC Colonel’s Scholars, Samsung the Waffle House.