Our Programs

Innovation Cafe

MISSION

To provide educational, experiential and collaborative cafe space that develops and fosters food entrepreneurship, product development/design, health and wellness and sustainability

WHAT?

Innovation Cafe is an on-campus cafe franchise AND fully integrated entrepreneurship & financial literacy program located on the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) campus. iCafe is revolutionary in its approach to entrepreneurship, financial literacy and the HBCU. iCafe courses are for students as well as Adults in Continuing Education (ACE). The Rap Snacks Foundation/Boss Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating an innovative, inclusive and diverse entrepreneurship & community economic development ecosystem. Innovation Café is a major component in that ecosystem.

HOW?

Rap Snacks Foundation/Boss Up, Designated HBCUs and our community stakeholders have partnered to deliver a first of its kind café that integrates disciplines across the collegiate campus to ensure the most comprehensive

entrepreneurship experience possible – curate programs, design activations and create partnerships that foster the social and economic growth of students, HBCU’s and the greater community.

WHY?

To fill the gaps in our entrepreneurial and startup community that limit innovation, access to pathways, capital and opportunity.

WHO?

Innovation Cafe boasts passionate team of educators, social entrepreneurs, influencers and community leaders supported by an active and engaged group of volunteers across disciplines, industries and professions committed to making Innovation Cafe a true hub of innovation & enterprise for all.

Program Description

Innovation Cafe is an interdisciplinary experiential learning opportunity designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of food entrepreneurship through the establishment of a student-run cafe on the campus of HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) that is structured on a cooperative model of governance. During this co-op experience, students will be introduced to entrepreneurial theory and practice relevant to the rapidly changing environment of food from the perspectives of both a startup business and by promoting entrepreneurial thinking in larger organizations.

Entrepreneurship

Students will be able to learn first-hand how to start, operate and sustain a small business.

Food & Nutritional Science

Create platform to apply the knowledge of chemistry, engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and toxicology, to the industrial and practical aspects of product develop

Accounting

Faculty can utilize the business transactions of the Innovation Cafe as a real-life example of bookkeeping

Graphic Design/ Advertising & Marketing

Faculty can use the Innovation Cafe as an in-house client for students’ project based learning lessons, including the development of marketing materials, advertising, outreach plans and social media engagement;

Public Health

Faculty will have opportunities to discuss issues, such as food systems, urban hunger and nutrition

Corporate Social Responsibility / Supply Chain Management

Faculty can work with Innovation Cafe to evaluate their supply chain and the sustainability of their purchasing choices

Environmental Studies/GUS

Students will learn about food systems, the cooperative governance model, social responsibility and community engagement.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Students would have an opportunity to manage and run a real food business.

COURSE TRACKS

Innovation Cafe will utilize University’s current Independent Study & Internship
courses across colleges (i.e. COB, CAST and CHBS)
Track 1

Practicum in Entrepreneurship/Product Development Cycle

This practicum seeks to provide an understanding of business planning techniques that transform ideas into viable commercial products/businesses specifically in the food and beverage industry. Students will conduct the market, organizational, operational, strategic and financial analyses that are required to produce a venture concept and an actionable business plan that is suitable for Innovation Café. Participants will study firms’ business planning efforts as well as develop a product and create a business plan during the practicum. The track is intended to provide the following outcomes.
  • Competence with the Traditional Product Development Process. See diagram below
  • Gain an understanding of the skills and key tactics that need to be achieved to start a new entrepreneurial venture
  • Awareness of the role of multiple functions in creating a new product (e.g. marketing, finance, industrial design, engineering, production).
  • Ability to coordinate multiple, interdisciplinary tasks in order to achieve a common objective.
  • Reinforcement of specific knowledge from other courses through practice and reflection in an action-oriented setting. Enhanced team working skills.
  • Develop a business opportunity/plan in the food and nutrition space
Track 2

Practicum in Business Management

This practicum is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills through their employment in the Innovation Cafe. Students will develop a foundation in the economic, financial, technological, international, social, and ethical aspects of business to become competent consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Students will incorporate a broad base of knowledge that includes the legal, managerial, marketing, financial, ethical, and international dimensions of business to make appropriate business decisions for Innovation Cafe. The track is intended to provide the following outcomes:
  • Competence in total quality management.
  • Competence in the development of SOPs and staffing considerations.
  • Competence in legal requirements, resources, and important legal regulations.
  • Reinforcement of marketing plan development.
  • Reinforcement of advertising campaigns and public relations campaigns.
  • Reinforcement of supply chain considerations (e.g. Identify the best suppliers, distributors, and experts for your business.)
  • Enhanced knowledge of E-commerce/web presence
  • Reinforcement in sales forecasts and pricing strategies.
  • Reinforcement of basic bookkeeping and computerized accounting.