Young people’s inability to participate in their country’s economic life is a serious global challenge. Youth are approximately three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. According to the International Labour Organization, nearly 75 million young people worldwide are unemployed, and many more are underemployed. Approximately 70–75 million youth aged 15–24 are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). They face higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than the population as a whole, creating economic strain and potential social instability. Unfortunately, conventional job creation efforts have struggled to keep pace with demand. In many countries, the public sector can no longer absorb millions of new graduates. As a result, many young people endure chronic unemployment or underemployment, often trapped in temporary or low-productivity jobs.

Many factors contribute to this challenge. However, according to an article from Measure of America, one significant underlying issue is youth disconnection. “Disconnected youth” are defined as teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither working nor enrolled in school. Nationwide, approximately 4.4 million young people — roughly one in nine teens and young adults — are disconnected, falling behind in both educational attainment and workforce participation.

The article further explains that these vulnerable young people are often cut off from the people, institutions, and experiences that help build the knowledge, skills, maturity, and sense of purpose necessary to lead stable and productive lives.

Our founders saw first-hand THE GAP that exists for today’s youth and because of their business background, they clearly realized that youth entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic self-determination and wealth-building is key to our communities.

A.I.M. Entrepreneurial Academy, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our Mission is to influence young adults of today to become effective business leaders of tomorrow. Our goal is to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and promote economic and racial equity by empowering young adults ages 18 – 25, through a hands-on business curriculum. Teaching life skills through entrepreneurship. We focus on youth over 18 and young adults experiencing lifestyle and economic obstacles, the disconnected youth, low-income, foster care, court-involved, those experiencing homelessness, or out-of-school, including youth of color, Native American, and those incarcerated in the juvenile justice system.

We teach students how to take control of their future and break through existing barriers. We are dedicated in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and skills that can help them thrive in today’s economy, as well as access to tools and life skills, and basic business and financial resources needed by aspiring entrepreneurs.

Our 12-Week Entrepreneurial education programs are organized around a structured curriculum that includes content on key behaviors and skills important for success as an entrepreneur; noncognitive skills such as

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Innovation
• Creativity
• Communication
• Collaboration

The curriculum includes: personal assessments, business, financial literacy and life skills training– which also include skill sets in organizing, sales and marketing and managing a small business.

• We also help students work through their response to failure and acceptance of “failing forward”, which is a normal part of entrepreneurial endeavors.
• Integrated in the program are business internships and three hours of facilitated one on one mentorship consulting sessions from leaders in the local business community. Guest speakers focus on teaching topics such as the importance of building or improving your credit, basic investment principals as well as the importance of business networking.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – A.I.M. Entrepreneurial Academy focuses on SUCCESS stories in the youth of our communities by inspiring them to BE more, DO more and HAVE more, resulting in them GIVING back more to their community. During the 90 Day Course, and as part of the program, our students will choose a local organization to support through fundraising efforts, working or providing volunteer hours.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM – after support is provided upon completion of the program by creating a supportive peer network, where alumni discuss their successes, failures, innovative ideas, networking opportunities and more!