GOOD NEWS: We Are All Startups
Steve Filosa, Founder To The Good
We Are All Startups
What do a small farm focusing on alleviating food insecurity, a bank’s foundation reimagining how it partners with the communities in which it does business, a youth and community center reexamining its mission and relationships, and a high school teacher in partnership with higher education establishing academic enrichment, scholarship, and jobs programs for underserved populations all have in common? Other than being among my first clients, all require the bold, creative, can-do mindset inherent in all startups. As one business commentator once put it, "To start or restart any organization, whether as a Board member, CEO or Executive Director, leading a startup demands a willingness to eat concrete." Given the times in which we live, make no mistake, we are all startups.
As we navigate the two ongoing plagues of Covid-19 and systemic racism, each day brings disruption and uncertainty. Whether functioning as an individual, institution, country or culture, imperfect information abounds and many moments require quickly shedding old habits and forming new ones. Are you establishing new school or work routines? Are you recently retired or starting a new job? Or maybe you’ve experienced change in where you live? Re-evaluating close relationships? Maybe even having a child? Over the years, I’ve watched as many of you have set out on new beginnings. You’ve made it look easy but it must not have been. In many ways, I am following your lead by launching To the Good and am grateful for your example.
I hope that you enjoy reading below Rob Dixon's perspective on startups. I invite you to respond with your own lessons learned, obstacles overcome, challenges still faced and thrills of victories achieved through the perseverance, relationship building, inclusive and extensive planning, diligent follow through, and even dumb luck required to make an idea reality.
Is there something you want to start or refine for the greater good? I’d like to help. Be in touch, please.
Compelled To Do Something
Rob Dixon, Executive Director Project RISE
I can’t say that I would have thought of RISE as a start-up, or of myself as an entrepreneur, but looking back, I guess it was and I was. It started when, 28 years ago, I was watching my son play a violent video game. Having experienced real-life violence in my community, and knowing first-hand the impact it had on young men of color, I felt compelled to do something. RISE was born.
Put simply, RISE is designed to put kids of color on the path to college. But really, it is designed to teach our students to achieve at the highest level. So much of how I approach RISE I learned on the basketball court. Playing ball, you have to see the whole game. You have to seize opportunities, and be willing to shift and to reinvent. You have to build a team, and push your teammates. And you have to work hard, really hard. I also learned that on court that there will be setbacks. But with vision, passion, and hard work, you can turn those setbacks into opportunities. You have to be flexible. Being open to change can be the difference between success and failure. These lessons have allowed me to adapt RISE over the years, to keep it relevant to the students we serve.
The work RISE does is as critical as ever. We, as a country, are grappling with extraordinary racial injustice, which is now compounded by significant learning loss, particularly in communities of color. So we are taking RISE to the next level; RISE is going to college. Our first partner will be Endicott College, where we will host 75 students this summer. There they will learn, grow, and envision themselves on college campuses. They will become stronger versions of themselves, with clearer dreams for their future. It’s what all students deserve.
We welcome you to join our effort. Learn more at www.ranational.org.
