DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice in partnership with One Source Consulting provided a six- week entrepreneurship inter-generational program to parents and students at the Linden SDA School where the organization provides a 5-day week after-school program to 6-8th graders. DIVAS for Social Justice encourage youth in underserved communities to use technology for social change. In the after-school setting youth are trained in 3D Printing, Digital Media and developing their engineering and literacy skills. Every year the program must utilize the technology skills they learn towards a social action project. The theme this year for the program at the Linden SDA School program is economics development. In order to provide a holistic parent engagement program to expose the entire community to STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math). The DIBS (Digital Inter-Generational Bridges to Success) is a free program offered to all community members to encourage all generations to be “makers” by developing their business ideas while utilizing technology and designing websites to launch their business ideas.
The business ventures varied from creating a juicing business on Merrick Blvd to creating a non-profit, which mission targeted parents needs for a healthier lifestyle. At the closing ceremony for the DIBS program two entrepreneurs pitched their business in Shark Tank Fashion for a $1000.00 prize and it was truly inspiring. Bevo’s Kitchen and Gather To Get HER successfully pitched their ideas to judges. Bevo’s Kitchen was presented by Gracia Leonce, along with her children and business partners Zipporah and Christian Leonce. Bevo’s Kitchen offers healthy versions of preserves and spreads with little sugar. They also offer healthy soups with all organic products. Gather to Get HER founder was presented by Melissa Apedo who will curate exhibitions that speak to underserved communities and provide access to the arts. Bevo’s Kitchen won over the judges and the $1000 prize but Gather To Get Her gained a client and will be serving as a consultant for DIVAS for Social Justice end of year event with the after-school programming. One Source Consulting and DIVAS for Social Justice are hoping to offer DIBS again in 2017 in Laurelton.
Please feel free to check out photos from the DIBS closing event.
