What is Ownership for the Future?

In partnership with school districts and community organizations, Ownership is the Future is an organization dedicated to creating pathways to systematize Black ownership and wealth. We do this by building the capacity of young Black people to collectively own wealth and generate businesses and social enterprises.

How does the program work?

Ownership is a rigorous pathway designed for Black students entering their junior and senior years of high school to shift to an ownership mindset by building their own enterprises. Programming begins with our Ownership Idea Fest, extends to a summer intensive and our credit-bearing senior year course, and concludes with post-secondary support. For more program information, click here.

What is Idea Fest?

The Ownership Idea Fest is a curated, two-day experience that provides the space and opportunity for Black students across schools and school systems to jointly create their own enterprises and experience moving from idea to joint creation. The Idea Fest contextualizes students’ creation journeys through a retrospective on Black Ownership, conversations with Black business owners, wealth creators and investor mentors, and connections with other students. To learn more about Idea Fest, click here.

What are Investor Mentors?

Investor Mentors support student teams as they develop business plans by providing mentorship and committing to financially investing in students’ enterprises. Investor Mentors commit to mentorship and invest $1,000 in each of the most promising student plans. Learn more about becoming an Investor Mentor.

How do I apply?

To apply, students are asked to complete an application that involves a 15-question survey. The focus of the application is on the question: “Do you want to do this for yourself and why?” We do not ask about grades. Visit our Students page for details.

Schools, districts, and nonprofits who are interested in partnering with us can submit this application or email admin@ownershipisthefuture.org for more information. We see this as a true partnership and are looking for aligned school leaders and teams that will grow with us as we transform what is available and possible for our students and their futures. Visit our Partners page for more information.

Who is eligible?

For the full Ownership program, students who are currently in their junior year in high school can apply. Current high school seniors can apply to participate in the Ownership Idea Fest. For more information on how to apply, click here.

What do successful applicants look like?

We are looking for students who demonstrate leadership potential in nontraditional and traditional settings. Student in the program are motivated by the concept of ownership. The program includes students with varying interests and competencies who have the desire to learn new skills and mindsets and create and build businesses that will change opportunities available to them and their communities.

What are some examples of businesses launched by Ownership students?

Thus far, students' ideas have ranged from creating a community building app that supports Black students through the college seeking and application process, a mental and physical health platform that supports high school students in connecting to vital resources early, a natural hair care line, a large canine advocacy organization, a community art studio, a wealth building platform for teens and their parents, and a sneaker resale business.

Who are Ownership’s current partners?

Our partnerships include with DeKalb County School District and Sadie Nash Leadership Academy in the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York. We are also working with partners in Washington, D.C.

Questions?

Please contact nicole@ownershipisthefuture.org.