Cross-Cultural Bridge Connections

Cross-cultural differences can be the greatest cause of rifts because of presumptions people make. Each culture is different in its own way and has the ability to serve humanity. The world is already inter-connected for everyone including children.

XCBrgPal is a global social media network that provides connection interface to develop leadership and cultural awareness skills for girls and boys between ages 6-12 and preschool kids between ages 4-5 (with parental guidance). The service offers fun-filled secured interactions with the aim of promoting social sharing, building the community, and developing positive leadership skills.

If XCBrgPal scaled globally, children all over the world would get to learn and be open to diverse cultural experiences . They would learn what common experiences diverse culture have and new ways of living. This will help build their creativity and also transform the world.

Rifts caused by cultural diversity is not a new phenomena. For the longest time, people have experienced divides due to cultural differences. In 2020, the world witnessed racial divide tensions erupt in America. A public outcry for justice rung in the hearts and ears of many. Yet it was also a "sad" opportunity for some people to take advantage of the situation and hurt other peoples livelihoods. In continents like Africa people continue to be divided along tribal lines which results to poor leadership and economic decisions. Many lives have been lost and affected because of these cultural divides. 

It is time to seek solutions that reconcile and teach the new generation how our cultural differences can help us learn from each other and make the world a better place. It is true that we are different but the social issues we encounter are closely related if not similar. We need to look at the whole picture and address our personal biases because without looking further out we might miss the greatest opportunities of creativity and fun-friendships. The new generation needs a solution and not a regurgitation of what is happening and has happened in the past.

XCBrgPal is a social media platform that will help connect and create friends between children of different cultural backgrounds all over the world. Not only do the kids connect for friendship but they will also share their thoughts about various social topics as guided by approved mentors. Features of the web-app include;

• Life-topics – view video uploads and share thoughts on various topics such as finances, self-love, communication, fun activities, nutrition & exercising, community service, helping friends and parents.
• My XCPals - Connect with children from diverse cultures and build friendships
• Journal – Record personal thoughts and reflections
• Online Resources – Access resources from vetted and approved vendors
• Parent Portal - Secured use of platform through parent approval and control features. Sign on feature with a COPPA & GDPR approved vendor partner is an added security feature
• Chat/Messaging – Exchanges messages with friends
• Record, upload and save videos and photos with parental and mentor guidance
• Hobbies station– Build, explore, share and develop areas of personal interest
• Rewards and stewardship – Earn rewards for participating in life topic discussions

The target population for XCBrgPal is children between ages 6-12. To reach them, we will market the web-app to;

• Local and international families with 6-12 year old children
• Public and private schools, children hospitals, kids’ clubs, orphanages, religious organizations and other institutions that serve children
• Screened vendors from different cultural backgrounds who sell children products
• Non- Profit organizations such as UNICEF and Indian reserve communities in the United States
• Franchises for closed communities

The world is already interconnected globally. Friendship interactions on the internet is currently limited to adults and children above thirteen years. Children below thirteen are considered minors and are not being allowed on various social media applications to connect with friends unless parental consent is obtained.

XCBrgPal understands the need to have children experience cross-cultural diversity as they share about life topics that will help them develop positive leadership skills. For the last eighteen months, we have been building an app that is child friendly to allow them to connect with their friends and make new friends as they learn leadership skills. Since April 2021, we have been actively testing the web-app and most of the children who tested the app are excited to start using the web-app formally as soon as we launch.

We have conducted tests on how they react to various life topics such as finances, identity and serving the community among other topics and the response has been great. They are not too young to learn, they have all have a voice. I believe hearing their thoughts about these posted life topics will widen their experiences and allow them to learn as well as teach each other.

Creating a technological solution to help mitigate racial and cultural rifts is a step towards reconciliation. The world is already interconnected, we need to take advantage of this fact.

XCBrgPal seeks to create friendship connections for children from diverse cultural backgrounds. This will help improve their cultural awareness as they learn and contribute towards various social topics to help bridge the gap caused by cultural differences.

The new generation can not be presented with the same issues faced in the past, they need to be presented with a solution that makes the world a better place.

We successfully tested the XcBrgPal web-app in California USA with a group of about twenty children from different cities. We also managed to send and test codes with two children in Kenya, Africa. We had to obtain parental consent for this and got testing feedback from the parents and children. The feedback helped with improving XcBrgPal's MVP

The communities of children who tested the web-app were diverse but one fact that stood out is they appreciated that their children could safely connect and share the thoughts on the life topic posts. Apart from the children testing it. Our inhouse consultants have been daily checking in and testing the web-app for the all possible outcomes.

One vendor partner we are working with for sign-on security has also welcomed our step to connect and teach the new generation about the social issues we all experience despite our cultural backgrounds.

XcBrgPal is a safe and secured connection for children. Not only do they connect in friendships but they also get to positively share about various social topics in their cultural context. Example of such topics include handling finances, helping in your community, helping family and friends among others. It is possible that some parents share with their children about such topics but other times this is not the case. With XCBrgPal, children will have the opportunity to experientially discuss these life topics in a safe space.

The introduction of these life topics is a very much needed solution given the occurrence of racial rifts that have been a long standing issue.  There is the obvious concern about children of the targeted age group being allowed to connect with friends and we have ensured that parents will be involved as their children use the web-app. Yes, children can safely use the internet. XcBrgPal has built in a parent portal control to ensure parents can monitor their children's activity on the app. They can also sign on securely while protecting their privacy and that of their children, thanks to our vendor partnership with Privo a COPPA & GDPR approved complier.

XCBrgPal's concept allows for connection with friends through the XC Pals feature, learning about life through video posts from approved mentors, recording personal reflection through the journal and review of available online resources if permitted. Most importantly, we have the parent portal to monitor the child's activity.

Our target population is children between ages 6-12 from all over the world. XcBrgPal is in it's pilot stage and so far only twenty families with children in the target age group have tested it. The feedback has been great so far, it is a very much needed platform. In the second half of this year, after launching we are targeting to reach at least 2,500 children internationally. Target number of children reached by the end of year one will be 5,000 children globally. By the end of year five we are targeting to at have at least onboarded 100,000 families or more globally through aggressive marketing campaigns. We have already made contact with families in the US from different ethnic backgrounds as well as in Africa - Examples are Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa.

Inclusive and equitable education through the XCBrgPal platform by signing up as many children on the platform as possible

Promote gender equality by allowing both girls and boys to share about social life topics

Share cross cultural to bridge the rift caused by different cultural and tribal experiences. This will reduce inequalities

Mentor the new generation by sharing life topics. Mentored children can also help each other by sharing the knowledge imparted to them

Part-time - One.

Consultants - Five

The XCBrgPal team has talented consultants who worked with the founder to create the web-app

The Founder has a bachelors degree in accounting from California State University Fullerton and is planning to get her certification in public accounting. She has been working in accounting for the last eighteen years. She loves to positively impact the lives of people she meets.

The Consulting Co-Founder and Technical Advisor has a computer science degree from California State University Chico and is a senior software developer for gaming apps. He has been in the industry for the last twenty years

The Consulting Senior Software Engineer & Lead Developer has a passion for learning new technologies and finding solutions to difficult problems. He has a bachelors degree in computer science from Berkeley and has been very instrumental in developing the web-app

The Consulting Creative Director for Life Topic is a creative lead at her local church. She is a writer, actor and choreographer and uses her skill set to direct skits, dance and creative worship to positively impact peoples lives. She studied film in New York

The Consulting Creative UX/UI Designer is a passionate learner and design enthusiast who loves to create. She is a former architect whose main goal is to positively impact peoples lives through the products she creates

The QA Engineer is a working consultant for Upwork. He helped test the functionalities of XCBrgPal with the lead developer

We are a group of culturally diverse individuals from different ethnic backgrounds

1. The Founder was born and raised in Africa and is now a naturalized US citizen. She was born and raised in Kenya Africa. 
2. The Consulting Co-Founder and Technical Advisor was born in America and is of Spanish descent
3. The Consulting Senior Software Engineer & Lead Developer is American and is Caucasian
4. The Consulting Creative Director for Life Topic is Canadian with South African descent
5. The Consulting Creative UX/UI Designer and QA designer are both from Middle East from Pakistan and India respectively

I am applying to Solve to become part of a team and network that changes the world in business and technology. I need to connect with other people of similar minds so I can be able to expand and transform the world. The Pilot app I show cased is just the beginning. I believe there is more we can do when we exchange ideas that impact the world in positive ways.

I believe that Solve can assist me with some of the barriers XCBrgPal has to consider in the following ways;

1. Receiving mentorship and coaching in different operational aspects of XCBrgPal so as have a greater global impact
2. Partner with great minds to help build XCBrgPal
3. Access financial and in-kind resources to help expand XCBrgPal locally and Internationally
4. Access technological help to mitigate security risks and monitor content posted and shared on XCBrgPal web app
5. Access legal advice to mitigate compliance laws because we are working with children
6. Access financial advice and partnerships 

I selected all the above because;

International expansion requirements - XCBrgPal will require Human Capital for this. Since we are looking at being a B Corporation or a Hybrid for profit and non-profit organization we will need assistance with sourcing for talent. We will also need help financial structuring and acquire a robust ERP system such as workday that is an all encompassing ERP system

We need to market XCBrgPal extensively both locally and internationally. This will require us to form market networks and we will need assistance with formulating market penetration ideas

We will need to spend time and resources on research and development to ensure that XCBrgPal is relevant and continues to make impact. This will require technological resources as well as means of expanding our clientele base

 Since we are dealing with children, we will need to ensure we comply with legal issues that affect children in social media networking

We need to be able to financially meet obligations because all the above considerations require money. The MVP requires improvement in ideas and design. Good financial investment in further development, design, marketing and distribution of the product is needed

We could also refine the business model if need be. For now, the ideas I have floated for monetization are plausible but we could always explore other alternatives. At the end of the day, we want to impact the world and that should be our main mission. Revenue generation will however help with fulfilling the mission.

MIT Faculty - Especially members who have the technological and social skill to help XCBrgPal expand.

Other solvers (don't know any names) who genuinely want to impact the world in business and community development

Angel investors who work with innovators like me to help them see their visions and dreams come to life

The new generation with ideas like mine and want to share knowledge

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. Some of these life topic examples include financial stewardship, identity, helping in the community among others. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Prize will help us expand XCBrgPal and fulfill the mission of cross-cultural bridge connections. Social well being of children is a factor that would improve their mental and emotional well being. 

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications.

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. Some of these life topic examples include financial stewardship, identity, helping in the community among others. All the children from different cultural backgrounds using the platform will have access to the same features. Not only will we be having children from different cultures participating, but we intend to have vetted mentors from diverse backgrounds share about life topics. The ASA prize will help us expand XCBrgPal, fulfill the mission of cross-cultural bridge connections and encourage equity.

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications.

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. Some of these life topic examples include financial stewardship, identity, helping in the community among others. All the children from different cultural backgrounds using the platform will have access to the same features. Not only will we be having children from different cultures participating, but we intend to have vetted mentors from diverse backgrounds share about life topics. The Antiracist Technology prize will help us expand XCBrgPal, fulfill the mission of cross-cultural bridge connections and encourage sharing regardless of participants backgrounds.

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications.

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. Some of these life topic examples include financial stewardship, identity, helping in the community among others. All the children from different cultural backgrounds using the platform will have access to the same features. We would like to reach as many children as possible and are willing to flex how the XCBrgPal platform is delivered so we can reach as many children as possible. The HP Prize for Advancing Digital Equity will help us with investing in hardware and software technology so we can donate to children and families who are not able to afford the associated XCBrgPal software and hardware costs.

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications.

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. Some of these life topic examples include financial stewardship, identity, helping in the community among others. All the children from different cultural backgrounds using the platform will have access to the same features. 

As a woman founder, I am happy to present a solution to the world for children and their families locally and internationally. My heart beats each time I think about this vision, I would like to share it with other people and see it grow because that will be my greatest joy. 

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications.

It will also stamp the fact "I am fulfilling my purpose."..... my greatest fulfillment

XCBrgPal is about creating cross-cultural friendships and reconciliation which is a great and humane idea. Not only are working on friendship networks but we also want to positively influence the lives of the people especially children by sharing about life topics. We have to change the narrative about equity and the only way is by being human.

One way XCBrgPal wants to ensure that as many children as possible use the platform is taking donations and awarding children whose families can not afford to pay for the associated costs of using the platform

Some of the considerations XCBrgPal has to make are;

• International expansion requirements - we want to have a global impact and we therefore must make room and commit to investing time and money 
• Extensive marketing both locally and internationally
• Research and development expenses will require technological skills and resources so the program can improve
• Local and international legal compliance requirements will also require financial input to ensure we are protecting children and their families

All the above need financial investment and if we win this prize, we will further the development of the web-app and mobile applications. It will also help