How the Idea Began

Three years ago, a class in one of Brooklyn Park’s high schools conjured up the idea of a teen-run business that would sell school apparel. The idea won a state-wide competition but unfortunately never made it off the ground. Two years later when the City of Brooklyn Park created its strategic plan for youth engagement, this concept of a teen-run business was included as a way to provide a safe place and employment opportunities for youth.

Making the Dream a Reality

In fall 2008, a few college students decided to make the dream of a teen-run business a reality. They created a non-profit organization called The A-list to establish a teen-run snack and apparel shop in Brooklyn Park. The A-list will not only be a source of teen employment but also a location for positive afterschool programs like tutoring and college search and preparation classes. In the evening, The A-list will be a safe place for youth to hang out with friends and participate in fun activities that will help them grow and share their talents with their peers, such as talent shows. Most importantly, the non-profit is committed to making the organization youth-led by giving teens real decision making power.

A Revolutionary Model

The A-list is a revolutionary model in two important ways. First, we are committed to giving teens real decision making power within the organization by placing them in leadership roles. We firmly believe this will be one of the keys to our success. In addition, we are trying to change the way businesses and non-profits interact by actively engaging businesses in the process of developing tomorrow’s consumers, employees, and business leaders.

What We Have Accomplished

In less than a year, The A-list has already made significant progress. In May 2008, our business plan beat hundreds of others from across the country in Ernst & Young’s “Your World, Your Vision” competition which resulted in a $10,000 donation from the company. The organization has also received funding from Target Corporation and is in talks with several other Fortune 500 companies. This summer, The A-list co-sponsored TeenStock, an outdoor teen concert in Brooklyn Park, and it has started its Business Mentor of the Week program in one local junior high. The shop itself is set to open in fall 2010.