Built from the Block, a grassroots initiative created to invest in underserved youth, will host its official launch and inaugural youth entrepreneur event on Saturday, June 20, 1-6 p.m. at the Harmony Apartments on Madison’s East side.
At least 10 entrepreneurs of differing professions and two guest speakers will attend, allowing neighborhood kids to seek guidance and explore future career paths. A hairstylist, barber, mechanic, photographer, baker and custom designer will participate, alongside The Madison Police Department and Fire Department.
“This event is primarily to show the kids that there’s more to life than just sitting around or not doing anything,” Founder Jenaisha Mick said. “There’s stuff for you guys to do. There’s people here to support you guys.”
“[Hairstylists] will be hands-on, doing their client’s hair, which will be a really cool thing for the kids to see how they actually conduct their business, how they run their business and what they do to make their business successful,” Mick said.
As a special education assistant at Whitehorse Middle School, Mick has observed firsthand the negative impact of community trauma on students in the surrounding area.
She created Built from the Block as an outlet for these kids, the majority of whom live in the Harmony Apartments. Mick said this community lacks the resources to keep children cognitively and physically engaged, stirring boredom and restlessness, which often leads to neighborhood conflict and fights.
“These kids are trying their best to thrive off of trauma,” Mick said. “I get really emotional when I talk about it just because I have kids, and then I watch this day in and day out. People don’t know what it’s like to even be a teacher or sit back and watch these kids every day, but I struggle with myself knowing that these kids are really struggling because they literally don’t have anything to do.”
Working alongside the youth to understand their unique aspirations and needs, she conceptualized a nonprofit that would offer mentorship opportunities and community-building events to give kids a stepping stone for personal and professional growth.
“They want to do stuff. They want to have fun stuff. They want to be able to rely on the adults and not have to rely on themselves as kids just to be able to get stuff done,” Mick said.
The event features guest speakers Brianna Reno and barber Kenny Russell, who will share their personal journeys and insights from their business ventures.
The event will also include a basketball tournament and a raffle to foster a fun and uplifting day for the community. However, Mick’s mission to support young people extends beyond a single afternoon. She plans to implement long-term mentorship programs and hands-on projects to provide “consistency” in their daily lives.
Throughout the summer, Mick intends to partner with Russell to run a boys mentorship group, along with starting a braiding club and community garden within the apartment complex.
“They have a whole basketball court here, so they could be doing that. They just don’t have basketballs,” Mick said.
If interested in becoming a youth mentor this summer or making raffle prize donations for summer activities, contact Jenaisha Mick at [email protected].
“My goal is just to clean up. Clean up and get things going for these babies. They need people,” Mick said.
