My What Box
Out of all the study abroad programs in the United States, African American/Black students only make up 5.6% of the students studying abroad. We believe this is a major problem. To solve it we have created a #Givethemtheworld campaign that will use our physical/digital products and community education/engagement to spark from a young age the love for exploring world cultures. By children and their families interacting with our company we strive to help raise and inspire productive global citizens that are black and brown. We have a vision of black and brown children becoming global and international leaders in business, education, and policy. We believe it all starts with our box, My What Box.
With only 5% of African American students studying abroad and even lower percentage are being chosen out of college for international/global business jobs and opportunities with major companies. While donating to study abroad programs at HBCU's may seem to help that is not our answer to this problem.
We need a switch in our perception young black and brown children need to see themselves and start considering themselves as part of a bigger community. A global community. African American travel represents a $63 billion opportunity. However many things keep Black families from being able to travel internationally and it usually leads back to economic ability.
We offer educational kits, toys, books and an app that start the love for cultural learning early. Our flagship product The Passport Box is our answer to families not being able to afford travel but still once a month being able to get delivered to their doorstep a new country each month. It is filled with activities, recipes, books, music, a "Passport book" and much more for the family to enjoy together.
To extend the learning we have a book club that families can subscribe to that gives them the opportunity to fill their home book shelves with stories from all over the world.
We are also in the process of developing an app that will allow students from all ages to virtually discover far away places.
Our charitable work is rooted in the college students and getting them opportunities to study aboard or internships aboard.
Our target population are children between the ages of 3-18 years old. They are from all races, but we have put a marketing emphasis on Black and Brown students. We have started work inside of school districts and will continue to raise awareness in communities with a concentrated population of black and brown children.
- Actively minimize human and algorithmic biases, particularly in healthcare, education, and workplace settings.
Through our products and the characters Kenny and Miley Black and Brown children will see themselves represented in travel and global adventures. Our magazines included in each activity kit and book club includes activities that intentionally breakdown biases and represent cultures in a non stereotypical fashion.
As we create more programs and products for older children and school districts we will ask deeper questions that help children to create empathy and respect for other cultures while breaking through generational biases.
On our website we are creating lists and suggestions for media materials that are inclusive and diverse.
- Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in one or, ideally, several communities, which is poised for further growth.
We selected growth because we have been in the market for 2 years. We have now began to gain notice and attention from some big companies and gained some very great partnerships for upcoming products.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
We are positioned for actual global change. We don't want to be another toy or product that a parent buys and it collects dust in the toy box. We want our products to be a part of how a family teaches and a child learns.
- Crowd Sourced Service / Social Networks
- Internet of Things
- Children & Adolescents
- 4. Quality Education
- 10. Reduced Inequality
- 16. Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models