Logo - NEXT Steps YEP
The NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program
The NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program (NSYEP) is an award-winning, 501c3 private operating nonprofit foundation located in Atlanta, GA. It was founded in 2008 by daughter and mom duo Jalen Valencia Harris and Dana Jewel Harris, CEO of The NEXT Steps Small Business Incubator (NSSBI) and creator of the NEW! Community On Demand™ Learning Management System.
Our Mission
Since 2008, we have served as a nonprofit workforce intermediary specializing in creating innovative tools and project-based experiential learning environments. We created the Community On Demand™ Game-based Learning Management System to provide fun learning tools that turn community challenges into meaningful, project-based experiential learning experiences so community stakeholders (at any age) can become active participants in making decisions and taking immediate action to solve their own problems.
Our Task Is Simple . . . Sort Of
As the official nonprofit partner of The NEXT Steps Small Business Incubator, we are tasked with implementing our version of the LRNG Logic Model (created by the Urban Institute) to support the mission and goals of the Housing & Urban Development Office of Policy Development & Research. This means integrating the Community On Demand™ Learning Management System into HUD's infrastructure digital technologies, entertainment and entrepreneurship in order to:
- Create local learning ecosystems that provide effective business, curriculum, leadership and employability skills development.
- Deliver basic skills training (employability skills development), meaningful work-based learning experiences, and empowering leadership development workshops.
- Create career development opportunities that provide technical assistance, industry recognized micro-certifications, and the work supports (i.e. wrap-around services) required to ensure measurable levels of personal and professional growth.
Who Is Community On Demand™ for?
The Talent Development Blueprint for Workforce Developers
Community On Demand (CoD) is an innovative talent development strategy designed specifically for workforce developers looking to engage community talent effectively. Built as a talent pipeline model, CoD addresses the critical issues of lack of engagement and costly recruitment by offering a blueprint to develop future leaders and changemakers. By leveraging the CoD model, mentors guide participants through skills development, helping workforce developers build a sustainable talent pipeline without breaking the bank on recruitment costs. With CoD, workforce developers have the tools they need to shape a community of future-ready leaders and bring out the best in every participant.
Meet Our Team
VIP Junior Executive Management (JEM) Team
We're proud to introduce you to the young entrepreneurs that are helping us design the original Community On Demand™ AgVenture Games Facilitator's Guide.
Meet Our Team
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Daniel Carroll
DZC, LLC
Business Development Consultant
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Kieno Jones
The Greenwood Recipe
Financial Consultant
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Andrea Gordon
A.D. Productions
Film & Videography
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Briana Langford
Illustrator
Character Sketches and Original Prints
Facebook
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Miniyah Wynn
M.O.O.N
Graphic Designer
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Noreen Whitehead
GA Women In Ag Association
Chairwoman, Sr. Advisor
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Vida Carroll
Media Personality
Public Relations & On-Screen Talent
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Benjamin Harris
NEXT Steps YEP
General Management Team
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Dana Jewel Harris
Inventor/Game Developer of Community Of Demand
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Dr. Elijah Porter, III
Electrical Engineer and Scholar
Sr. Advisor
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Dr. Milton Mattox
CEO, Chief Advisor, USDSI™
Sr. Advisor
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Ina Braxton, MBA/TCF
Life Rescue Training Institute, CEO
Sr Advisor
In loving memory of . . .
Jalen Valencia Harris
The true inspiration behind the creation of Community On Demand™
You’re not alone!
If you don’t have someone you feel like you can contact about your mental health, that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Remember that counselors are available 24/7 at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.