Let Your Network Speak For You
https://technical.ly/baltimore/2018/04/11/7-startup-centric-talks-check-labslight-city-2018/
https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/12/15/warnock-foundation-funding-12-new-social.html
Wednesday we had the opportunity to attend the 2020 Hack Baltimore event. We were asked to be there on short notice. However, luck is when opportunity meets preparation!! Our focus was to provide a resource for employment assistance for the homeless.
In 2019 we went to pitch Reference Hive to Hack Baltimore. This year Hack Baltimore has asked that we attend as part of their media launch for their upcoming Hackathon in May. We humbly accepted their invitation and look forward to continuing our purpose to provide an additional source for those that are seeking employment assistance.
HACK BALTIMORE is the first large-scale, citywide innovation event that teams up technologists, civic leaders,
and city residents to design “sustainable” solutions for Baltimore’s biggest challenges.
Thursday we had the privilege to introduce Reference Hive to our new partners at Jobs Have Priority. The demonstration was such a success that we were invited to do another session at their additional branch also in DC. We even pitched and successfully received approval for a “Reference Hive Day”!!With this event, we will provide a photographer to take professional pics of our clients and have them uploaded to their RH’s profile page!!
Jobs Have Priority. Inc mission is to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless seek, obtain, and retain employment and secure housing.
I had the honor to speak with the youth of Natural Born Champions in Baltimore, on the topic of professional development and communication. At that time I didn’t know what to expect because I spoke to the teenagers before especially during my time support my local church youth ministry. However, the director requested that I speak with the concerning professional development. I had the pleasure of meeting her through a networking app and her desire to make a difference with her organization inspired me to provide any assistance.
During my discussion, I learned some important details that allow me to fully understand millennials and provide them with some guidance in which I hope was helpful. Come to find out surprising they have the same concerns.
There were 12 teens just open to learning and talked about their future but one thing they all had in common was they want to have a better life for their family. Each one explained how they are here to improve their lives and provide a better future for them and make their families proud. As I spoke from my experience, it allowed me to embrace their concerns and fears but at the same time assure them that things will be o.k. However, they must also understand that “Life is not fair” and sometimes your questions are not answered. At the end of the day, I just wanted to confirm that their destiny relies on their determination.
I know they wanted to learn more and were willing to sacrifice their time to get to the next level. To be at that age of maturity even I myself wasn’t during my youth. So I was impressed and as well encourage that at the end of the session I was proud of each one that attended and spoke up. I look forward to meeting them again and hope that they enjoyed our time just as much as I did.
On April 18, 2018, Reference Hive took part in the Warnock Social Innovator of the Year Competition for 2018.
Baltimore’s growing social innovation companies get the spotlight, as the Warnock Social Innovator of the Year will be crowned. The founders featured include Brittany Young of B-360, connecting youth to STEM opportunities through dirt bikes; Jenny Owens of Hosts for Humanity, connecting people receiving long-term medical care to volunteer hosts; Valeria Fuentes of Roots and Raices, a festival to showcase Latinx artists and Bennie Brimage of Reference Hive, an employment platform for transitional shelters and social service agencies.
I was honored to be nominated for the Warnock Foundation’s “Innovator of the Year” pitch competition at Lab at Light City. In which the winner receives additional funding for their project/company.
Unfortunately, I didn’t win but I learned something about myself and that is my passion to getting Reference Hive online and getting individuals an online presence that we can provide. The same opportunity we all have today has now become a personal challenge for me. I now have something to prove to myself, that I can’t slack off.
A lot of the most difficult things in my life was easier than sitting on the couch. Because at that point…sitting on the couch impacted my ability to look in the mirror…We all have goals in life, some different than others.
This one is ours….
Reference Hive attended the Art of Hope on April 14, 2018
Hosted by Gayle Kelly, David Warnock, and Michele Speaks at Helping Up Mission in SE Baltimore. The event proceeds benefits inspiring hope campaign.
Reference Hive is about embark on its first project serving individuals who are experiencing homeless in their current efforts to improve their employment status. This means YOU now have the opportunity to join us in our mission of providing them with a permanent online presence that will allow employers the ability to see their occupational worth and value. For only $15 per individual, Reference Hive can host a permanent online employment profile for up to 60 adult men from Baltimore’s Helping Up Mission. Please help us establish and host profiles for all 60 of these individuals by donating the amount for one (or more) who really need your help. If you would like to volunteer in any way please inbox me, and we will get the process started.
Thank you in advance for your support!
