Be an Entrepreneur with LITE!

LITE Memphis is an organization that aims to close the racial wealth gap by mentoring students to become entrepreneurs and secure high-wage jobs. They mentor students in a semester-long program that will equip students with 21st-century skills to create wealth. LITE Memphis visited Pleasant View School oN Thursday, December 9, 2021, and carried out a workshop that perfectly summarizes their program. PVS students who participated were invited to apply to join the program in the Spring.

LITE students have support from mentors throughout the process and are not limited to creating businesses. They can create nonprofits, too. At the end of their program, students participate in Pitch Night where they present their business ideas or proposals. Winners are awarded a grant to jump-start their business. Fall semester students participated in their Pitch Night on January 6th, 2022. Zahra Chowdhury, a PVS student, won first place with her business, “Youthworks.” Her business is a consultancy that is entirely youth-led and aims to improve youth and adult equity across Memphis. Zahra says, “LITE Memphis is such an amazing organization and I’m really grateful to have had the chance to participate in their finalist program. I never seriously considered entrepreneurship or thought I could create my own business until joining LITE. Through this organization, I’ve learned so much and met an amazing supportive network of friends, LITE staff, community partners, and mentors. I would highly encourage every high school student to participate in their programming!”

LITE Memphis continues to provide resources and opportunities beyond the finalist program, even if you don't win Pitch Night. To learn more about LITE Memphis, click the link here.