Scarlet to Black Program at A-State to Host Educational Events for Young Students

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s Scarlet to Black Program will host its annual Small Business Leadership Conference from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, in several rooms across the third floor of Reng Student Union. 
 
“We typically have around 300 students in 3rd through 6th grades for the event,” said Dr. Philip Tew, associate professor of finance, who directs the program and the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.  
 
This is the 11th year that a version of this conference has been held, starting in 2016 as a small business expo. 
 
“It has evolved into the Small Business Leadership Conference, now held in the third week of November during National Entrepreneurship Month," said Melanie Ricker, assistant director, Scarlet to Black Program.  
 
Students from area schools will participate in this one-day conference.  
 
“Leading up to the event, students participating in our competition had to come up with a unique toy idea popular with their age range and create a business plan, design a print advertisement, film a commercial, and record an elevator pitch selling the idea to the judges,” said Ricker. 
 
Schools participating include Jonesboro’s Magnet Schools: Visual and Performing Arts; Jonesboro International Studies; Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies; Leadership; Math and Science; Nettleton University Heights School of Medical Arts; Nettleton Fox Meadow School of Creative Media; Nettleton STEAM Intermediate; Valley View Intermediate; Riverside Elementary; Manila Elementary; Wynne Intermediate; Earle Elementary; Tyronza Elementary; Marked Tree Elementary; Harrisburg Elementary; Buffalo Island Central; Pocahontas Elementary; Walnut Ridge Elementary; and Brookland Middle School.  
 
“Our goal with all of our events is to provide students with hands-on, interactive learning experiences that will keep them engaged, give them an opportunity to practice essential skills like teamwork and critical thinking, and hopefully get them interested in economic education and financial independence,” Ricker continued. “Students will learn how important it is to collaborate and bring their unique skill sets together to create something that brings them pride.” 

She said introducing economic education at an early age will help build their understanding and confidence to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities and make informed financial decisions.  
 
“We also love seeing the connections that will form on the day of the conference as students get to interact with others from different school districts and the mentoring opportunities for our college student volunteers,” she said. 
 
Ricker said she and Tew have visited 14 classes to share details about the competition and to drum up excitement to get students to want to participate.