BUF of Michigan and IKEA Initiates Retail Business Programming and Pitch Competition for Detroit Area Youth

DETROIT - Aug. 10, 2023 - PRLog -- Black United Fund (BUF) of MI in partnership with IKEA Canton has launched youth programming designed to teach Detroit area middle and high school students about creating and running a sustainable retail business. The high school pilot cohort will host their completion and pitch competition event on Friday, August 11.

BUF of MI is committed to supporting, developing, and implementing impactful youth empowerment programs through collaborative partnerships for the underserved and underrepresented in the community. The Youth Retail Business Program found the perfect partner in IKEA Canton, who has proven to be committed to the mission of supporting Detroit area youth.

"At IKEA, we believe that together with our social justice partners, co-workers, customers, and communities, we can work to make meaningful and measurable change. That is why we are so excited and proud to partner with the Black United Fund of Michigan to create business experiences for Detroit students that will help build the leaders of tomorrow," said Kevin Matthews, Area Marketing Manager, IKEA North America Services, LLC.

The participating middle and high school students experience fun, interactive business experiences that educate youth on the creation of a sustainable retail business that supports a community need, including field trips to a local retailer and the IKEA Canton store. The weeklong program culminates in a fun, celebratory pitch competition where three teams vie for the grand prize, including the opportunity to receive mentorship from IKEA employees as an IKEA Ambassador, and a lunch reception. Judges for the competition include representatives from IKEA and Google.

The high school Celebration Day will take place Friday, August 11, 2023, at 12 noon at IKEA Canton – 41640 Ford Road, Canton, 48187.  For more information about BUF and the event, contact BUF of MI at 313-894-2200 ext. 306, and visit the website at www.bufmi.org.

About BUF of MI
For over 50 years, BUF provided funding and support to community-based non-profits, many of them start-ups groups that targeted the areas of education, community development, cultural enrichment, and economic development. Many of these start-ups like the Sphinx, DAPCEP, Jackets for Jobs, Charles H. Wright Museum, and Detroit Youth Choir are now thriving organizations leaving an indelible mark on the City of Detroit and state of Michigan. Over 1,000 community-based agencies received assistance.

BUF of Michigan shifted its emphasis in 2015 to address the growing needs of youth. Learn more by visiting www.bufmi.org.

About IKEA
IKEA offers well-designed, functional, and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.