FC Proud to Partner with BUILD Boston

July 23, 2019

Filmmakers Collaborative, through the FC Academy filmmaking workshops, recently entered into a relationship with BUILD Boston. BUILD is dedicated to creating a more diverse future workforce by ensuring students in under-resourced communities have access to the mentorship, professional development opportunities, and funding they need to graduate high school, go to college, and launch successful careers.

BUILD’s unique “Shark Tank”-style program offers students a four-year entrepreneurship experience designed to develop 21st Century Skills and motivate student engagement in school.  Starting in 9th grade, BUILD students work with their peers and mentors to develop business ideas, pitch to funders for seed funding, and launch real businesses.  As they journey through high school, BUILD provides students with support in navigating the college application process and the opportunity to explore college and career options, while building a strong network of adult role models and mentors.

BUILD was founded in 1999 in Silicon Valley and now serves students across the country in California, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, D.C. 

In an instance of mutually-beneficial timing, FC Director Laura Azevedo happened to be chatting with Ayele Shakur, BUILD’s Chief Executive Officer, about her hopes for the further development and growth of FC Academy. And upon learning what FC Academy was all about–first hand immersion into filmmaking–Skakur quickly determined that the organizations’ missions were in perfect alignment.

BUILD teaches its students that philanthropy, community development, and social justice are just as important to their business journey as profit.  BUILD has shared that its excited to partner with FC Academy to offer its students an avenue to share their experiences, express their ideas, and explore injustices that plague their communities, city, country, and world.

“Young artists and young entrepreneurs are alike in that they are both self-starters. They see problems, both big and small, in their everyday lives, and try to find or express potential solutions,” says Steven Mea, Student Experience Program Manager for BUILD. “Both groups have incredibly powerful voices to share, and both have amazing potential to collaborate and make a positive impact on their society.”

FC is proud of this most recent partnership and looks forward to introducing this group of talented and ambitious creators to the world of filmmaking. 

www.buildinboston.org