History is loaded with heroic characters who’ve devoted their talents and energies—not for their own profit—but for the common good. Names like Susan B. Anthony who brought women the vote, or John Muir, who lobbied for a national park system, or New York City’s Central Park creator, Frederick Law Olmstead.
So, while the concept of working for the public good rather than personal profit isn’t new, the last 20 years has seen the rise of a new kind of social entrepreneur, a person or group that applies marketplace talent and resources toward resolving social problems. The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize went to Muhammad Yunus, an economics professor educated in the U.S. who first established micro-lending in Bangladesh.
Here’s a quote from social entrepreneur Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva.org, another micro-lender:
The stories we tell about each other matter very much. The stories we tell ourselves, about our own lives, matter. And most of all, the way we participate in each other’s stories, is of deep importance.
Today on Hometown Alaska, we’ll hear a particularly Alaskan perspective on social entrepreneurship with Yaso Thiru. She teaches accounting at Alaska Pacific University, and for the last 18 months has promoted social change through education, employment and entrepreneurial spirit. We’ll talk of numerous examples, some global and some local, and take a closer look at Hope Studios, a social entrepreneurship venture right here in Anchorage, with gallery manager Julie Mettler.
Join us with your questions: What exactly is social entrepreneurism? What are its unique characteristics? When is it truly transformative, and when is it a corporate marketing campaign? How can consumers know the difference? We’ll tackle these and other facets of this complex movement, which looks very different under capitalism or under socialism. Listen to find out more.
Post show update, 01/08/2014: Dr. Yaso Thiru is working on a documentary about Alaska social entrepreneurs and enterprises. She invites Alaskans working on these types of projects to reach out to her at yasot@alaskapacific.edu. She also has information about an upcoming micro-financing class.
GUESTS:
- Yaso Thiru, Alaska Pacific University professor
- Julie Mettler, gallery manager, Hope Studios
LINKS:
- Dune Lankard of Cordova, Ashoka Fellow, sustainable economic models to protect natural resources
- Chanlyut, social enterprises of Cook Inlet Tribal Council
- Ashoka, largest network of social entrepreneurs in the world
- Skoll Foundation, stories of social entrepreneurs
- Alaska Consulting Group, emphasis on social enterprise
- Social Capital Marketing, website with examples
- Social Enterprise Spotlight: For nonprofits and foundations, times are changing, Forbes
- MPWR coats that turn into sleeping bags, employing formerly homeless women in Detroit
- Huffington Post video on MPWR coats
- Hope Studios Facebook page
- Hope Studios, website
- Top 11 Ted Talks on social entrepreneurship (as of August 2013)
- Social Entrepreneurship: How Businesses can Transform Society, Google book by Thomas Lyons
- Rise of the Social Entrepreneur, NYTimes Opinionator column, David Bornstein, Nov. 13, 2012
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send e-mail to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air)
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
HOST: Kathleen McCoy
LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, January 8, 2014. 2:00 – 3:00 pm (Alaska time)
REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, January 8, 2014. 9:00 – 10:00 pm (Alaska time)
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