4Front is thrilled to announce a new partnership between the Social Innovation Fellowship and Towson University. The Social Innovation Fellowship is an immersive hands-on entrepreneurship program that inspires and empowers Jewish teens to be changemakers in their community.
Throughout the program teens learn how to develop their own idea for a social startup founded on Jewish values, visiting local businesses and meeting successful entrepreneurs as they go to offer inspiration and insight. The Fellowship culminates in the annual Demo Day pitch event, where teens pitch their innovative ideas for a better community, showcasing their hard work and entrepreneurial growth. Following seven successful years working in partnership with Startup Experience, led by Henrik Scheel, we have decided to localize our program by partnering with a Baltimore community curriculum partner to support the entrepreneurship content of the program.
We are excited to welcome Towson University Professor Jan Baum as a long-term collaborator to support the Social Innovation Fellowship (SIF) for many years to come. Jan’s creative background, comprehensive entrepreneurial knowledge, and local network encapsulate SIF’s future. The social impact focus of the program is further enhanced by Jan’s connections to a range of organizations and people across Baltimore. Meeting with leaders beyond 4Front allows the teens to have a deeper and more meaningful experience to understand how different types of organizations can leave a positive impact on the community.
We spoke with Isabel Lunken, 4Front Engagement Associate, and Towson University Professor Jan Baum about this exciting merger.
Isabel Lunken, 4Front Engagement Associate:
What new aspects of the program are being integrated this year?
This year, along with our new curriculum partner, the program is expanding significantly! With more teens coming from across Baltimore there is greater potential to create new meaningful connections among the fellows. To support the larger cohort, we are integrating a new component: a dedicated afternoon of teambuilding and creativity. Instead of starting the program with the daylong bootcamp we are adding this session to focus on building relationships within the cohort while giving them inspiration for the program ahead. This year the teens will visit Open Works, a non-profit makerspace in Baltimore focused on fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Teens will learn about Open Works’ impact on the community and receive a tour of the innovative facilities before engaging with a hands-on project to spark their creativity. The session will also integrate activities designed to support teens getting to know one another and setting the foundation for strong teamwork throughout the program.
What are you looking forward to most this year for SIF?
I am most looking forward to the NYC Innovation Tour, where we take the Fellows on a fun and meaningful trip to New York City. This was a highlight of last year’s program and was key in bringing the Fellows together as a cohesive cohort. With our large group of teens this year, any chance for them to bond is invaluable, especially during an immersive weekend together. On this trip teens will have the opportunity to meet and engage with Jewish business leaders, participate in a hands-on volunteer project, and tour the office of an innovative company. Of course, there will be time for sightseeing and having fun, while indulging in some iconic NYC food. This trip marks the halfway point of the Fellowship and is designed to inspire the teams as they continue refining their business concept.
What is the most important thing for teens to learn in this program?
The most important lesson teens can take from this program is that it’s okay to struggle. I compare the journey of creating a business model to a roller coaster—there are high moments when everything is going smoothly, but also unexpected challenges that can bring you down. Throughout the program, teens will face ups and downs as they learn about their problem, assumptions, and customers. It’s crucial to understand that challenges are a natural part of the process. Learning how to navigate and even embrace these struggles is key to their growth, and that’s what I hope the teens take away from this experience.
Jan Baum, Towson University professor:
Share a bit about your professional background/qualifications
I am a Professor at Towson University teaching entrepreneurship and the Director of both the university-wide Minor in Entrepreneurship and the upper division Certificate in Entrepreneurship. I am an innovator trapped in the body of an educator! Prior to teaching in the entrepreneurship discipline, I established the first comprehensive digital fabrication lab in the University System of Maryland. The industry partnerships I established from this lab led to a two-year leadership initiative, 3D Maryland working to establish 3D printing and additive manufacturing as a strategic industry for the state.
Why were you interested in working with 4Front on the Social Innovation Fellowship? What are you most excited about regarding this new partnership with this partnership?
I am passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship, educating people, and making the world a better place. This is a perfect fit with 4Front’s SIF program. I am happy to support Isabel, Diana, and all the students in the program. I am most excited about how this group of students will engage in social entrepreneurship.
How will you be infusing your creative background and teaching style into the program curriculum?
I come from an arts background and jokingly admit I use both sides of my brain. Creative people are generally non-conforming but don’t be scared! Using my experiences as a creative will help us find truly innovative solutions where others tend to find incremental solutions,
What do you think is the most important thing for teenage aspiring entrepreneurs to learn?
Flexibility, adaptability, perseverance, while staying focused on solving the problem at hand.
For more information about this and other 4Front programs please visit 4frontbaltimore.org
