The Do-Good 'Sharks' Pick a Winner: Pop-Up Barbershops
Miami Herald · By Nancy Dahlberg · March 9, 2017
Clifton Ross and Lavaris Stanford held a check for $10,000 that was presented to the Overtown Youth Center on behalf of the Buzz Boxx by the Talent4Change Foundation, which builds and runs pop-up barbershops made out of shipping containers as part of their BUZZitFORWARD initiative.
The “Sharks” had a tough choice among four social ventures competing for a $10,000 prize at the Philanthropy Miami conference. And the winner was … BUZZ BOXX, presented by the Overtown Youth Center and Talent4Change. The BUZZ BOXX team builds and runs barbershops made out of shipping containers. These pop-up shops empower youth in low-income neighborhoods with the increased self-esteem that comes with a great cut, served up with mentoring talks.
The Shark Tank, part of the Philanthropy Miami conference, was much like the TV version — but with a do-good twist. This year the $10,000 award was accompanied with a venture partner: Social Venture Partners Miami, part of a global network of venture philanthropists, would take the winner under its wing, offering mentoring, strategy advice and connections, as well as funding.
“Passion Meets Purpose” was the theme when more than 275 people gathered at Jungle Island to explore fundraising tools and strategies. Paul Shoemaker, founder of the global Social Venture Partners, told the crowd that becoming a successful changemaker requires three qualities: active listening, humility and connecting.