OXFORD, Miss. – The McLean Institute of Public Service and Community Engagement will host “An Evening with Clifton Taulbert” from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Bryant Hall gallery to discuss his career as an entrepreneur, businessman, Pulitzer-nominated author and U.S. Air Force veteran.
Taulbert’s books illustrate the power of incorporating community engagement into education and workforce development. The Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development program at the McLean Institute uses Taulbert’s book “Who Owns the Ice House” as a framework in the classroom to teach entrepreneurial lessons and how to foster an entrepreneurial mentality.
Taulbert has a direct link to the work at the McLean Institute and the CEED program because of his experience of taking entrepreneurial opportunities that were presented to him in the Washington County community of Glen Allan, said J.R. Love, project manager for CEED at the McLean Institute.
“Clifton will provide insight into the power of our individual mindset and how that connects to building community,” Love said. “CEED students will have the opportunity to engage and learn from an entrepreneur from Mississippi who shares a similar philosophy of the McLean Institute regarding the power of community and economic development.”
Joshua Baker, an Ole Miss sophomore math and economics major and CEED Innovation Scholar, said he is looking forward to Taulbert’s keynote discussion on entrepreneurship and economic advancement in Mississippi’s low-income regions.
“As an entrepreneurial-focused organization, when given the opportunity to host Mr. Taulbert, we agreed immediately,” Baker said. “(Taulbert) embodies many of the community-centered values we hold, all while being a phenomenal example of the talent Mississippi possesses.”
The event is hosted for CEED Innovation Scholars, the chancellor, vice chancellors, department heads across campus and community partners.
The McLean Institute’s mission is to advance transformative experiences for university students and to fight poverty through education in Mississippi.
The CEED program works with Ole Miss students and faculty to build actionable partnerships with Mississippi communities to increase entrepreneurship and promote economic development.
To learn more about the event, call the McLean Institute at 662-915-2052 or email mclean@olemiss.edu.