Birmingham Students Show Presentation Skills, Gain Praise from Condoleezza Rice
Six teams of Birmingham Middle School students came to Regions Bank downtown Monday with plans for big business. The Huffman Middle School team of seventh graders left with the prize, and all the students received high praise from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who grew up in Birmingham schools.
The students spent months prepping for the pitch – learning about business, planning, and presentation in the style of the popular television show “Shark Tank.” This was their chance to sell a concept and show their skills to business, school and government leaders.
“Have you, any of you, ever had a family member or close friend dying of cancer, and you were staying at a hotel or with a friend that wasn’t close by? Do you regret not being close to their resting place?” asks Katherine Anderson. She stated her team’s case for a new hotel resort and cancer treatment center. The idea is to take care of family and caregivers while their loved ones receive treatment.
Student JaMaya Jackson made the final appeal.
“Sharks, the life of a loved one is priceless. We are asking for $500,000 for half of our company. We’ll use flyers, websites and billboards to get our company’s name out,” she says. “Don’t you want to be a part of this?”
Secretary Rice was impressed.
“It’s hard to get up in front of a group and sell your ideas. And somebody among this group is really going to be a great entrepreneur,” she says. “You could see that they loved it. They are passionate about it.”
A total of 26 students from throughout the school system participated in the Monday’s event. The earlier rounds of the competition and training included about 400 students, says Andrew Mitchell of the Birmingham Education Foundation.
The team from Huffman Middle School netted a $1,000 grant from Regions Bank, one of the sponsors of the program.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un ready to talk if U.S. drops denuclearization demand
Kim told North Korea's legislature he's ready to resume talks, adding he had "good memories" of President Trump, despite ongoing tension over Washington's denuclearization stance.
What to know as U.N. General Assembly opens, marking 80 years, tackling deep crises
This year the United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary, but diplomats don't have much to celebrate.
This small Virginia island could be underwater before the next century
Tangier Island in Virginia — one of the last inhabited islands in the Chesapeake Bay — is under threat from rising sea levels and climate change.
Rheumatoid arthritis kept her captive. This nerve stimulator set her free.
A new surgically implanted device the size of a lima bean can help control rheumatoid arthritis that isn't responding to drugs.
Beauty and health gurus love it. Do claims about sea moss sink or swim?
It grows in the ocean and wellness influences claim it can boost gut health, reduce anxiety and give you glowing skin. Sea moss is the latest social media superfood. Is there evidence that it works?
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, some Republicans talk revival as others seek retribution
Some Republicans have used Charlie Kirk's killing as a call to spiritual revival. Others, including President Trump, have used it to escalate attacks on the left.
