GenV Campaigns

Youth Venturers bring Technology for a Better World to Washington D.C.

Posted on 05. Jul, 2011 by test in Uncategorized

Today’s post was written by campaign manager Spectra Myers

Five amazing young people and their chaperons spent a whirl-wind week with Ashoka’s Youth Venture to advance their ventures and joined winners from across the country in Washington D.C thanks to support from Best Buy Co., Inc.

Jonny Cohen, Griffin Latulippe, Joyce Yan, Fabian Fernandez-Han, and McKenzy Haber are the winners in the Technology for a Better World campaign with Best Buy and we couldn’t have hoped for better role models for aspiring young changemakers.

The teams inspired everyone at the Jefferson Awards, a partner organization, with their out-of-this-world ideas and eloquence at the welcome dinner on Monday night. You could feel the energy in the room shift after our five winners spoke about their work to address greenhouse gas emissions, create assistive technology devices for the disabled, create new data collection tools, bring financial literacy to kids, and inspire youth globally to share their stories and take action.

The media immediately grasped the appeal of the winners!  Our teams were interviewed by PBS NewsHour Extra and Griffin Latulippe was interviewed in front of a packed house by Senator Sam Beard about his passion, drive, and ingenuity. He was right up there with NFL Pro and Team Owner Warrick Dunn talking about social change!  We can’t wait to see their stories inspire others to action.

During their day at Ashoka’s headquarters, the teams met with advisors from Booz Allen Hamilton, RTI International, and Medic Mobile to further develop their ventures.  After their session they had a brownbag lunch with the Ashoka staff where they answered questions on the role of youth in technology innovation, the challenges young people face in starting an initiative, and their take on the field of technology.

Other highlights of the week included meeting Senators, Representatives, and industry leaders and a chance meeting with the producers of Saved by the Bell!

The week wouldn’t have been possible without Best Buy, Youth Venture’s longtime partner.  Susan Bass Roberts, Director, Community Relations for Best Buy extended her congratulations:

“We are proud to support these young people in partnership with Youth Venture and applaud their efforts to make a difference in their communities through their innovative use of technology.”