Destiny Davis, young entrepreneur and CEO of DestinTees, and Obinno Coley, a teacher at Normandy High School, will be honored at the NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship)2018 Global Showcase presented by Mastercard on March 22nd in New York City. NFTE is an international nonprofit that activates the entrepreneurial mindset in young people from under-resourced communities and builds their business skills. NFTE’s Global Showcase is an annual celebration that highlights and recognizes the organization’s extraordinary teachers and alumni from around the world with the Global Young Entrepreneur and Global Enterprising Educator Awards.
Destiny Davis, who is currently attending Southeast Missouri State University, will be named as a Global Young Entrepreneur of 2018 for her startup, DestinTees, a custom apparel business that offers screen printing, vinyl and sublimation services. Davis’ business plan first took shape when she was a student in a NFTE class at MCCluer High School in 2015. DestinTees will be featured at the Global Showcase and Destiny will also receive a small grant to be used for expanding her startup or furthering her educational goals.
Additionally, every year NFTE recognizes teachers’ dedication to helping students develop their entrepreneurial mindset and reach beyond themselves to achieve greater academic and career success to become the leaders of tomorrow. This year, Obinno Coley will be recognized as a Global Enterprising Educator of 2018 for excellence in teaching the award-winning, project-based NFTE curriculum.
“We’re delighted to have Destiny and Obinno as our global ambassadors this year. They are a true testament to NFTE,” said Chyna Bowen, Senior Manager, NFTE St. Louis Metro Region. “The students and teachers involved with our programs know that learning how to think like an entrepreneur goes much farther than starting a business. Activating the entrepreneurial mindset develops young people’s non-cognitive skills and prepares them for future career success in the 21st century innovation economy. This year’s local honorees exemplify the entrepreneurial mindset.”
Twenty-six young innovators and 19 educators from around the world will exhibit at the Global Showcase and guests will have the chance to explore and learn more about each business and the various local NFTE programs. Nine nations will be represented including Belgium, Germany, Ireland, India, Israel, China, Singapore, Mexico, and the United States. More than 400 global leaders will attend from business, government, education, and philanthropy.
