NFTE’s World Series of Innovation, annual Founders Forum for rising businesses, and our celebration of alumni, educators, staff, and youth during Black History Month all underscore the power and promise of inclusive capitalism. These efforts demonstrate that high‑quality entrepreneurship education should be a platform for many, not a privilege for a few. As we look ahead to Women’s History Month, this commitment only grows stronger. In this month’s newsletter, we highlight how diverse entrepreneurial voices, expanded access to resources and networks, and strengthened systems fuel global innovation and help build more equitable economic ecosystems. 

Recent national data highlight what’s possible when talent meets opportunity: between 2017 and 2022, the number of Black‑owned firms with at least one paid employee grew by 56.9 percent, adding roughly 70,000 new businesses to the U.S. economy. These "employer businesses" helped drive a dynamic period of entrepreneurial growth.

This surge, documented by the Brookings Institute, was fueled by innovation, determination, and increasing access to entrepreneurial pathways. It demonstrates the profound economic and social impact that high-quality entrepreneurship education can unlock. NFTE envisions a world in which entrepreneurial pathways are commonplace in education, so all young people can own their futures.

It's fitting that this Black History Month, our NFTE team engaged directly with leaders who embody this momentum. During our all-staff panel, we heard from Michael Stewart-Isaacs, CEO of MOSAYK.com and founder of IAmBrilliant.org; Amylah Charles, 2021 NFTE National Champion and founder of CurlyCrownz Hair Care; and Gregory Grant, our resident "entreprenologist," who guided the dialogue with skill and depth. Their collective insights energized, challenged, and inspired us while affirming how essential our mission is.

Amylah spoke with clarity and conviction about building a business that not only delivers nature-derived products but also actively counters systemic inequities in the beauty industry. Her principle, “my age did not define whether I needed to be respected or not,” reflects the self-agency and leadership NFTE fosters in young entrepreneurs.

Michael, drawing on his own early barriers to mentorship and financial literacy, reminded us that there is no single “correct” entrepreneurial path—only the importance of mentors who illuminate the journey. His call to shift the narrative “from resilience to brilliance” resonated powerfully, capturing the future of Black entrepreneurship as not merely adaptive, but visionary.

For our staff, Michael issued a challenge that strikes at the heart of NFTE’s work: encourage imagination, strengthen financial confidence, and nurture ideas “like a seed”—with patience, structure, and belief. These imperatives mirror our commitment to preparing the next generation of founders with the tools, mindset, and support systems they need to create lasting impact.

My deepest thanks to Michael, Amylah, and Greg for sharing their brilliance in one of the many spaces NFTE creates for conversations like this, not only during Black History Month, but throughout the year.

As the national landscape continues to show extraordinary growth in Black entrepreneurship, we stand ready to ensure that more young people across communities and backgrounds can access the high-quality entrepreneurship education that helps transform early aspirations into thriving enterprises.

We're celebrating the creativity and dedication of young innovators worldwide with the announcement of NFTE's 2025-2026 Imagination League winners in our 15th annual World Series of Innovation. This year’s competition engaged nearly 4,000 young people ages 5-24 from 47 countries, each developing bold ideas to address global challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Below are the Imagination League Winners (ages 5-12):

Aflatoun Better Together Challenge (SDG 10)

EverBank Little Savers Challenge (SDG 4)

This month, we also announced WSI's Top 10 finalists across all six Impact League challenges for innovators ages 13-24. While the winners of that league will be revealed on April 21, 2026, you can view the full list of Impact League finalists here.

Each year, WSI competitions highlight the ingenuity of youth as they envision solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues and underscore NFTE’s commitment to expanding access to high‑quality entrepreneurship education.

Intuit for Education invites you to dedicate one hour of class time to financial literacy with the Hour of Finance Challenge anytime between Feb 23 – April 15.

Drive engagement with an interactive online game that shows students how today's money decisions impact their future.     

It’s a plug and play activity that’s designed for all classrooms and fits easily within one class period. All with zero prep time required.

Ready to join the fun? Simply register here to receive your challenge link and                       join code, share it with your students, and get started.

This month, we’re proud to celebrate Black excellence at NFTE by spotlighting Gregory Grant, part‑time program associate for NFTE Southeast.

As our resident “entreprenologist,” Greg not only understands the science behind improving entrepreneurship, but he also champions entrepreneurship education as essential career‑readiness infrastructure that strengthens agency, adaptability, and problem‑solving skills for individuals and communities alike. Greg recently emceed NFTE’s Black History Month staff panel

featuring alumna Amylah Charles, the 2021 NFTE National Champion and founder of CurlyCrownz Hair Care, alongside Michael Stewart‑Isaacs, CEO of MOSAYK.com and founder of IAmBrilliant.org. Greg also serves as a NACCE national speaker, manages Jacksonville's Everyday Entrepreneurship grant program, and develops entrepreneurship curricula for colleges and government agencies. The Florida League of Cities Economic Advancement Award winner is grounded in a heritage of resilience and forward momentum and champions first‑generation entrepreneurs, youth founders, and local artists.

Calling all NFTE alumni! We want to hear from YOU. Tell us about your NFTE experience and what you’re up to now—school, career, business, or beyond. Your insights help shape the future of NFTE programs and power our mission. Plus, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $50 Amazon e-gift card!

Take the survey.

The Mott Million Dollar Challenge is a national innovation competition for kids and teens in grades K-12, supported by funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and powered by NFTE.

Students can enter solo or with a team of up to three. Across the competition, $1 million in prizes will be awarded, and finalists will be invited to an epic celebration in Flint, Michigan, in June 2026!

Submit by March 8, 2026.

Presented by EY, PayPal, and Zuora, NFTE’s Founders Forum is an opportunity for alumni worldwide to participate in a 10-week virtual incubator designed to support viable startups. The program runs January-March 2026. Three Founders Forum finalists will pitch their business to an investment panel online, vying for a portion of a $10,000 capital investment pool that can be used to advance their business as they see fit.

Register to watch the livestream on March 9.

New & veteran educators are invited to take our final MINDSET MAKERS professional development course of the season on Wednesday, March 18, at 8 p.m. ET. Take the next course titled, Are Your Students Pitch-Ready? Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube playlist. 

The Mott Million Dollar Challenge needs volunteers!

Volunteers are needed to judge this virtual student pitch competition. Judges will evaluate student video submissions on presentation, quality, clarity, originality, and persuasiveness via NFTE’s online judging platform. Judging is virtual, asynchronous, and self-paced.

Judging Window dates: March 16 at 9:00 am ET to March 19 at 11:59 pm ET, 2026