By Lindsay Sax
The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) is holding a fundraiser event Friday, Oct. 4 at the college.
The goal of the event, “Upperclass meets Underground,” is to raise money to send members of CEO to Chicago to attend the national CEO conference to network, learn and be inspired to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.
“The energy level is phenomenal and the exposure to speakers,” said Barbara Millard, CEO faculty advisor. “Last year Chris Keurig of Keurig Coffee was there. It was fascinating to hear. They get exposure to wonderful national speakers.”
Another goal of the event is to raise awareness. The organization’s mission is to encourage all students who are interested in professionalizing and promoting entrepreneurial pursuits by providing opportunities outside the classroom. They also want to raise awareness to those who may not come from a suburban situation, that all young adults should get a fair shot at an education.
“You’ve got the city urban style in Johnson County,” said David Isaac Moore, CEO vice president. “Usually those don’t coincide, they’re their own entities, but we’re bringing them together one night for the betterment of both parties.”
CEO club is not just for students interested in entrepreneurship. All students are encouraged to attend meetings every Wednesday in Regnier Center 244 at 1 p.m. Also, students can connect with the club on Facebook.
“Even if you’re an art major or a graphic designer you still have to know how to market yourself,” said Rae Hatfield, CEO President. “And when you are freelancing you are basically an entrepreneur. So I think that sometimes people think that it’s only for entrepreneur students, only for people who want to start Apple or whatever, but it’s not, it really applies to all majors. You really learn how to sell yourself.”
The event will feature various hip hop and R&B performances. Artists scheduled to perform are Niccolette Paige, Low Keezy, Brail Watson, CuddyMac, Dutch Newman, Bayou Boss, Drew Cobain and the Traq Five Crew, Ryan Murff and DJ Frankie Jay. The event will be hosted by Joe Rhea and Sarah Robinson.
“It’s the two lifestyles,” said Moore. “This is Johnson County, statistically one of the richest suburbs in the country. And it is underground, these guys are all independent performers who represent that aspect of life on the street or in the city. The outcast or the underdog. So we’re bringing them all together to celebrate life, and to celebrate education, celebrate business.”
The event kicks off at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door in COM 155. A ticket gets you in the door and entered into the raffle. There will be numerous prizes, including the potential to win tickets to see Drake at the Sprint Center on Sunday, Oct. 6.
“If you like house parties, if you like the club, definitely, you’re going to have a good time,” said Moore. “You’ve got a professional DJ spinning records, good music, good live performances. You can get your dance on. Do whatever you have to do, kick it, chill. I can’t stress that enough, it’s gonna be big.”
Contact Lindsay Sax, copy editor, at lsax@jccc.edu.