Chicago Ideas jointly announced with entrepreneurs and philanthropists Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand on August 28th the five names of the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation (BHSI) Fellows for 2017. The Fellowship honors and supports innovators under 35 that use entrepreneurship for meaningful social impact globally.
The BHSI fellowship enters its seventh year with this announcement, naming 31 leaders globally since 2011 and offering over $600,000 towards nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Founded by Leslie Bluhm, co-founder of Chicago Cares, and David Helfand, CEO and president of Equity Commonwealth and co-president of Equity Group Investments, the fellowship selected this year’s class from more than 250 applicants from all over the world.
Bluhm talked about this year’s class in a press release, saying that, “Each year, we are blown away by the incredibly talented entrepreneurs we meet through the Fellowship. The work of this group is particularly powerful and timely, addressing the critical needs of our nation’s socioeconomic, democratic, criminal justice and environmental landscapes. They are poised to change history with their passion, ideas and dedication.”
Each fellow receives $10,000 to support their work, and presents their ideas during Chicago Ideas Week, October 16-22, 2017. They will present their ideas live on stage at the “Social Entrepreneurship” Conversation on Tuesday, October 17.
“Social Entrepeneurship” convention on October 17th. The five fellows and their ideas for 2017 are:
Rose Wang, 25, from San Francisco, CA, with Chirps, a method to produce sustainable and healthy foods with insects.
Alex Niemczewski, 29, from Chicago, IL, with BallotReady, a voter guide for national, state, and local elections that is entirely online.
Katherine Katcher, 32, from Oakland, CA, with Root & Rebound, a legal resource center specializing in reentry law for people and their families with prior justice involvement, as well as organizations and agencies.
Brian Hill, 32, from Chicago, IL, with Edovo, reducing recidivism through tech-enabled communication and education for the incarcerated.
Jahmal Cole, 34, from Chicago, IL, with My Block, My Hood, My City (MBMHMC), a social initiative taking Chicago teenagers in underserved communities on explorations around the city of Chicago.
