Unlock Entrepreneurial Potential and Emancipative Mobility.
Sown Emancipation’s mission is to unlock entrepreneurial potential and advance economic mobility by embedding early-onset entrepreneurial development within the K–12 educational ecosystem.
UNLOCK ENTREPRENEURIAL POTENTIAL.
Sown Emancipation’s mission is to unlock entrepreneurial potential and advance economic mobility by embedding early-onset entrepreneurial development within the K–12 educational ecosystem. We prioritize students who have had limited access to entrepreneurial opportunities, grounded in the belief that sustained early entrepreneurial experiences expand traditional college and workforce readiness trajectories. This approach cultivates what we define as emancipative mobility—the capacity to exercise freedom and choice in how individuals create, navigate, and capture value across career and wealth-building.
We prioritize students who have had limited access to entrepreneurial opportunities.
“Entrepreneurship is future mobility and expansion of college and career pathways. We need to give that language to young people earlier. It’s more than training or starting businesses—it’s young people learning that they can author their own futures. Too often, they are taught to survive systems instead of transform them. Entrepreneurship is how they do both.”
REVIEWS
SOWN EMANCIPATION
Unlocking entrepreneurial potential and advancing emancipative mobility through early entrepreneurial development.
UNLOCK
ENTREPRENEURIAL
POTENTIAL.
Sown Emancipation’s mission is to unlock entrepreneurial potential and advance economic mobility by embedding early-onset entrepreneurial development within the K–12 educational ecosystem. We prioritize students who have had limited access to entrepreneurial opportunities, grounded in the belief that sustained early entrepreneurial experiences expand traditional college and workforce readiness trajectories. This approach cultivates what we define as emancipative mobility—the capacity to exercise freedom and choice in how individuals create, navigate, and capture value across career and wealth-building.
CHANGE HOW YOUNG PEOPLE SEE POSSIBILITY.
Sown Emancipation operates on the belief that early exposure to entrepreneurship fundamentally changes how young people understand and envision their possibilities.
Early entrepreneurial experiences can expand traditional college and workforce readiness trajectories while giving young people new ways to understand what they can create, navigate, and build.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP STARTS EARLY.
We embed entrepreneurial development within the educational ecosystem to help young people develop new ways of thinking about their futures.
ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT
Early exposure to entrepreneurship helps young people develop the language and understanding needed to recognize and pursue opportunities.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY
We focus on expanding access to entrepreneurial opportunities and experiences that can contribute to broader college, career, and wealth-building pathways.
EMANCIPATIVE MOBILITY
Emancipative mobility is the capacity to exercise freedom and choice in how individuals create, navigate, and capture value across career and wealth-building.
“Entrepreneurship is future mobility and expansion of college and career pathways. We need to give that language to young people earlier. It’s more than training or starting businesses—it’s young people learning that they can author their own futures. Too often, they are taught to survive systems instead of transform them. Entrepreneurship is how they do both.”
HELP YOUNG PEOPLE AUTHOR THEIR FUTURES.
Entrepreneurship is future mobility and expansion of college and career pathways. Your support helps create opportunities for young people to learn, build, and imagine what is possible.
HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
Community Review
“Teaching our children real life skills through their own history, culture, and ways of being is so empowering. It’s contributing to their own self empowerment in this critical day and age. I am thankful for the vision and direction that Sown Emancipation is leading our youth.”
THE FUTURE STARTS WITH POSSIBILITY.
Sown Emancipation works to give young people the language, experiences, and opportunities to author their own futures.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our board provides governance, strategic guidance, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for young people.
Autumn Stafford
Autumn Stafford is the Founder and CEO of RadiMae Cosmetics and the Founder of Urban Formulation Lab in Washington, D.C. A STEM educator and cosmetic science entrepreneur, she brings more than ten years of experience in charter school operations, chemistry education, strategic planning, and youth entrepreneurship. Autumn joined the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors in 2024 to support the next generation of innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. She is a pre-med graduate and holds a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
Alivia Boddie
Alivia Boddie is a nonprofit leader, real estate professional, and systems-level strategist committed to closing wealth gaps through entrepreneurship, property ownership, and equitable economic development. She leads initiatives as a Program Manager at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association and is Founder and CEO of Prosperity Link. With experience in real estate, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, grant writing, and program design, Alivia brings a dual perspective that combines market expertise with mission-driven impact.
Ben Ihde
Ben Ihde is a business strategist and entrepreneurial ecosystem leader with experience in organizational strategy, operations, business development, and small-business support. His work has focused on strengthening the systems, partnerships, and resources that help entrepreneurs move from ideas to sustainable growth. Ben brings strategic thinking, ecosystem knowledge, and a community-centered approach to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors.
Brittany Pinales
Brittany Pinales is the Director of Big Futures at Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities and a former Minnesota school leader. Her career has centered on helping young people access meaningful mentorship, educational opportunities, and pathways to long-term success. A skilled community collaborator and youth advocate, Brittany brings deep experience in education, leadership development, and cross-sector partnership building.
Dearest Ativie
Dearest Ativie is a nonprofit finance, accounting, and governance professional with extensive experience supporting mission-driven organizations. She currently works with Master Properties and brings specialized expertise in nonprofit accounting, organizational compliance, and financial stewardship, along with deep experience in the hunger-relief sector. A graduate of Howard University, Dearest brings disciplined financial insight and executive-level perspective.
De’Vonna Pittman
De’Vonna Pittman is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, author, and community leader. She is the founder and CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty and was named the 2024 SBA Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year. De’Vonna is also a three-time published author and founder of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo. She brings entrepreneurial leadership, brand-building expertise, and a commitment to creating platforms where others can transform ideas into opportunity.
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana is a strategic corporate social responsibility and community engagement leader who builds purpose-driven partnerships connecting organizational priorities with meaningful community impact. Her experience spans corporate partnerships, employee and volunteer engagement, community initiatives, and social-impact strategy. Katie brings a strong ability to translate mission into action and mobilize people and resources around shared community goals.
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke is a professor and chair of the Creative Entrepreneurship Department at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. A nationally recognized leader in creative entrepreneurship education, he works at the intersection of innovation, art, business, and community development. Dr. Kuhlke brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship education, curriculum development, and creative-economy strategy.
Get Involved
Together we empower youth through mentorship, education, and community support. Join us and help make a lasting difference.
Volunteer
Share your time and talents by mentoring youth, helping at events, or supporting our programs.
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Donate
Your generosity helps provide educational resources, activities, and opportunities for youth.
Donate
Partners
Collaborate with us to create stronger programs and expand opportunities for our community.
Join Us
Get Connected
Stay informed about our events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our mission.
Learn MoreGet Involved
Together we empower youth through mentorship, education, and community support. Join us and help make a lasting difference.
Volunteer
Share your time and talents by mentoring youth, helping at events, or supporting our programs.
Sign Up
Donate
Your generosity helps provide educational resources, activities, and opportunities for youth.
Partners
Collaborate with us to create stronger programs and expand opportunities for our community.
Join Us
Get Connected
Stay informed about our events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our mission.
Learn More