About the Program

Are you someone who's passionate about advocacy and understands the importance of engaging with policy makers and the public - and would also like to pay the bills doing what you love? Perhaps you've acquired these skills in your 9-5 job and are starting to feel more confident in your ability to lead others and motivated to embark on your own as a thought leader and change-maker? Join Kelley Hurst of Being Black @ School for an insightful and motivating discussion about how you can start to build a business around advocacy and/or public speaking.

A registration link will be posted closer to the event.

About the Presenter

After spending 23 years in the public education system as a teacher, literacy coach, guidance dean, and assistant principal, Kelly witnessed firsthand how the system helped white students thrive while continuing to marginalize Black students. As a result, Kelly left the education system and started Being Black at School, an organization that advocates for equity and safety for students of color and students whose experiences are traditionally underrepresented in school policies. .

Kelly is best known as the author of the award-winning blog Mocha Momma, where she chronicles her life as a former teen parent, a birth mom, and a single mother who took her then 3-year old daughter to college with her.

About Innovate Springfield

Innovate Springfield is a social innovation and business incubator in the heart of downtown Springfield, Illinois.

Want to learn more? See what's happening at Innovate Springfield.