Simmons College

Non-profit management and entrepreneurship MBA student Obiageli Ukadike recognized a serious education gap in Ghana, Africa. People with physical disabilities are often shunned from mainstream society and denied access to quality education.

To combat this injustice, Oby co-founded The WaWa Project, a non-profit organization aimed at providing education to physically disabled children in Ghana. The WaWa Project plans to raise approximately $2.5 million over the next five years to build a handicap accessible secondary school for children grades six through twelve. The non-profit will build the school, hire local staff and administrators and create education plans to teach students skills they can use post graduation. Oby is ecstatic about the attention her cause has received.

UPDATE: Obiageli with The WaWa Project wins the 2011 Silverman Business Plan Competition and $10,000 for her non profit. Congratulations!

Entrepreneurship is a vital part of our economy and is a direct path to leadership. The American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses reported that between 1997 and 2011, the number of businesses in the U.S. increased by 34%, but the number of women-owned firms increased by 50%.

Finalists from the 2010 Silverman Business Plan Competition

There is no argument that starting a business is challenging, especially with limited access to monetary and supportive resources. Simmons recognizes the barriers facing many entrepreneurs and has created a program that aims to foster their innovative ideas.