50 Cent, Houston ISD Launch After-School Business Program

Houston TX

28 September, 2021

10:42 AM

Description

HOUSTON, TX — Rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson partnered with Houston ISD to launch the G-Unity Business Lab on Monday. The after-school entrepreneurship program inducted its first 75 students from Wheatley, Worthing and Kashmere high schools. Joining 50 Cent for the program's launch were Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Jackson, who recently moved to Houston, is providing $300,000 for the program through his G-Unity Foundation, which supports initiatives like the business lab for kids in urban areas. Houston ISD is matching the funding for the $600,000 program. The three high schools were chosen for the pilot program because the district has provided them "additional resources and support" in recent years, according to a Houston ISD news release first announcing the program in May. Live in Houston? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. G-Unity Business Lab aims to create substantial change for students and the surrounding community. "This program is providing opportunities that weren't there when I was in school, ... and I've got the right team around me to make it something really effective," Jackson said in a video posted by Houston ISD. "I know I can reach these kids in a different way. To get kids who wouldn't necessarily want to participate in after-school programs to do it, that's positive energy instead of — let's just say, idle time is the devil's time." Students in G-Unity Business Lab will receive after-school instruction from volunteer business coaches and will eventually present ideas to 50 Cent and others for potential seed investments. Participants will meet twice per week for 12 weeks and will learn foundational business methods, such as bookkeeping and creating a formal business plan.