Global Strategies for Good (GSG) – Changing the World One Strategy at a Time
- Business
- Citizen participation
- Employment
- Energy
- Economic development
- Fundraising
- Security
- Income generation
- Poverty alleviation
- Sustainable development
- Renewable energy
- Vulnerable populations
- Public policy
- Networking
- Transparency
- Social enterprise
- Travel and tourism
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Cynthia Blandford
Nash
Global Strategies for Good
, GA
, XX
1‐5 years
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Operating for 1‐5 years
In 1974, the founder, Cynthia Blandford Nash, at the age of 18, received a 1-year Rotary Scholarship to live in Liberia with a vision of wanting to change the world. While in Liberia, Cynthia taught elementary school and attended the University of Liberia developing life-long relationships. In 2007, Cynthia began to work with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Atlanta Rotary Club and Delta Air Lines to spearhead mission trips to Liberia, sending medical supplies, working with investors and facilitating training programs for women. Cynthia also co-chaired the first Head of State dinner for the President of Liberia in Atlanta, Georgia where more than 1,000 people were in attendance. Cynthia’s good works quickly brought her into the spotlight where President Sirleaf began to notice Cynthia’s heart for the people of Liberia and the positive outcomes she delivered, including Delta Air Lines direct flights and a Consortium of Universities, to name a few. With President Sirleaf’s leadership, Cynthia was inspired to launch GSG in 2008, with the vision of providing new models of social entrepreneurship, economic development, job training and education that were in line with the GOL’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. In 2009, the Liberian President appointed Cynthia as the first African-American female Honorary Consul General. Now, with the ability to use the platform of the Consulate office to provide guidance and direction, Cynthia has the unique opportunity to leverage resources and support at the highest levels and has committed her life’s work in doing so.
Renewable Energy: In 2009, GSG teamed-up with the Mayor of Monrovia, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW-MAC) and members of the local community to clean-up a local dump in the heart of Monrovia where hundreds participated. Recognizing that Liberia does not have a comprehensive waste management system, dumpsters or recycling in place, the output of this project provided hands-on and service learning activities for the local Liberian community and business partners. It also presented engagement with local leaders to discuss future partnerships in energy solutions that could impact more than 3.5 million Liberians.
Travel and Tourism: GSG conducted 10 successful mission trips to Liberia in partnership with Delta Air Lines and NCBW-MAC where approximately 200 business men and women participated, including educators, clergy, and students. Mission trips included investment and trade workshops to broker new business ventures; medical missions in collaboration with doctors, nurses and the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Liberia; faculty exchange allowing faculty to teach at the University of Liberia and Monrovia Bible College; and agribusiness collaborations with CARE Liberia and the University of Liberia creating a new vegetable garden on the campus. Thousands of women and children received medical supplies; hundreds of books and bibles were donated to help increase teaching and learning levels of thousands of students and teachers. Delta Air Lines direct flights to Liberia is a direct result of GSG’s work in travel and tourism.
In April 2011, under GSG’s leadership with the UCL, student leaders from the University of Liberia participated in a 2-week development program at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Savannah State, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia to learn best-practices on student governance.
1,001- 10,000
More than 10,000
GSG is evolving and expanding with the establishment of 2 new entities:
1.) CYV International, a Liberian based business, will work with GSG to launch Travel and Tourism Liberia (TTL) with a focus on, Ecotourism, EduTourism, and Gospel/Cultural Fests. In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, we will increase jobs, internships, and training opportunities where travel and tourism in Africa increased by 3% in 2009. GSG will broker business relationships that encompass a training headquarters to facilitate much needed training in hospitality administration.
2.) “Georgia First for Liberia” (GFL), a 501c3 non-profit is being established as a market based strategy to position the State of Georgia as a leading force in Liberian agricultural development, in partnership with GSG.
Funding is always a challenge for small and emerging businesses. Currently, GSG receives funding through contract work and other consultancies. These consultancies include developing comprehensive fundraising and strategic plans with faith-based organizations; developing core competencies and relationship management approaches for non-profit organizations; and working with corporate giants to provide diversity leadership and support in the African context. The challenge and the opportunity is to develop new funding approaches that will allow GSG to scale-up and expand into new and emerging markets that demonstrate future growth and unique potential for branding.
Looking at the long-view, GSG has developed a financial model that we believe will help the company expand and diversify overtime for sustainable growth. For example, GSG, in collaboration with CYV International, is currently applying for funding through the Liberian Enterprise Development Finance Corporation (LEDFC), co-sponsored by RLJ Companies, OPIC and CHF International that will support travel and tourism in Liberia. A 5-year business plan has been prepared to support this work. Travel and Tourism Liberia – TTL customers will pay for travel and tour packages and through relationships already established with Delta Air Lines and local hotels, comprehensive packages will be developed allowing GSG and CYV to scale-up efforts to provide additional jobs for local Liberians and to expand staff support in both office locations.
GSG is teaming-up with colleges and universities and other partners to seek funding for Renewable Energy from entities including the EPA, the Department of Energy, United Negro College Fund, USAID and others to support various program efforts and have secured a pro-bono grant writer to assist.
GSG has been very strategic in forging partnerships that have yielded positive and long-lasting results. Training, jobs and internships will be outgrowths of these partnerships.
NGO’s - GSG has established relationships with NCBW-MAC and the Atlanta West End Rotary Club to support the donation of over $10,000 worth of medical supplies to the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia to support women who have fistula. Improving the quality of life for women and girls is critical to the economic growth of the Liberian society ensuring an educated workforce.
Business: GSG has been able to leverage Delta Air Lines discount airline tickets for various mission trips to Liberia and waived costs of cargo shipping. GSG has been successful in developing relationships with the African Travel Association (ATA) and has landed the 2012 Eco-Tourism Symposia in Liberia bringing hundreds from around the globe to the country; creating jobs and economic stimulus.
Academia: Under the auspices of the UCL umbrella, relationships have been established with Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Morehouse College, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and others to help further the vision of expanding educational resources, faculty and student exchange programs, joint research and publications at various academic institutions in Liberia.
Government: A recently established partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture will enable GSG to further its mission of international business to business matchmaking for companies interested in doing business in Liberia. GSG was instrumental in ushering through a Sister Port Agreement between the Georgia Port Authority and the Port Authority of Liberia in 2010 to increase trade. Jobs for Georgia and jobs for Liberia are expected outcomes.
Friends and Family have donated time and resources to GSG.
Individuals: GSG has 4 professionals including a Chief of Staff, Government Affairs Officer, Technology Coordinator, and a Media Relations and Communications Manager. An Advisory Group has also been established. These advisors include an Endowed Chair at Georgia Tech in City Planning, a renowned Economist, and a Georgia State University Gender and African American Studies Associate faculty and former Fulbright Fellow at the University of Liberia. Valued at $500,000.
Foundations: The Atlanta West End Rotary Club is supporting GSG through the donation of medical supplies to the JFK Hospital in Monrovia to support women who have fistula valued at $10,000. A $30,000 grant is in the pipeline for funding.
NGOs: The NCBW is supporting GSG by providing discount airline tickets & other resources valued at $50,000.
Businesses: GSG is currently in negotiations with Liberian hotels and Delta Air Lines to promote travel and tourism in Liberia. Conversations have begun with solar panel companies, renewable energy and bio-mass firms.
Regional Government: GSG helped to negotiate a Sister City Agreement between Liberia and Greenville, Mississippi to expand trade and investment. The Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi hosted a trade summit on May 13th for local businesses.
Customers: Over 200 participated in GSG’s travel and tourism efforts over the past few years, including business men and women, educators, clergy, and students bringing over $6million in jobs, training and service activities.
GSG will strengthen its work over the next three years by shoring up its administrative structure, developing operational systems and processes and preparing a comprehensive financial framework.
GSG is currently negotiating space to house all of its offices including GSG, the Consulate Office, Georgia First and CYV. It will be important to have a strong and visible presence in the community demonstrating leadership and vision as well as stability. As the financial resources are established, staff will be hired to help accomplish the goals and objectives of the operations.
Developing operational systems and processes is fundamental to the growth and sustainability of any company. Within the next year, operational manuals, standard business blueprints including Contracts, Memorandums of Agreement, Letters of Interest, and other Business Documents will be developed as boilerplates to help streamline operations and to help expedite work flows. A secure and reliable technology system will be put forth to capture data allowing for accurate tracking and reporting.
In order to ensure future growth and sustainability, additional comprehensive financial platforms will need to be created and put in place.
GSG will work with investors, financial institutions and resource and development and management strategy teams, to develop and implement appropriate frameworks for long-term success.
Please select up to three in order of relevancy to your project.
PRIMARY
Lack of skills/training
Lack of visibility and investment
GSG is co-hosting a Sustainable Communities/Campus Summit in August 2011 in Liberia to help build capacity, training and lifting-up renewable energy opportunities.
GSG is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Tourism to help ensure efficiency in travel packages, customer service, and ground transportation. GSG will also assist in training a skilled workforce through job shadowing, internships and mentorships. GSG will promote Liberia through radio, print, television and other strategies highlighting new standards in the industry and opportunities for investment.
On June 9th, a “Tax Commissioner Road Show” will take place in Atlanta, Georgia. Training will include how to open a business, regulations and incentives, encouraging investment in the country.
If yes, please check up to three potential pathways in order of relevancy to you.
PRIMARY
Repurposed your model for other sectors/development needs
Influenced other organizations and institutions through the spread of best practices
GSG is already repurposing its model for other sectors/development needs by having discussions with the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, where there is no formal mail system in Liberia - looking at ways to leapfrog current technologies and seeking best practices in mail delivery systems within Georgia to provide technical assistance and support for both rural and city mail delivery systems.
GSG, in conjunction with Georgia First, is establishing a Blue Ribbon Committee with the Georgia Department of Agriculture developing new strategies and approaches in renewable energy, aquaponics, farming and feedstock solutions for Liberia. UCL and the private sector will be cultivated seeking best-practices in the industry that can be replicated throughout the Sub-Region.
Government, Technology providers, NGOs/Nonprofits, For profit companies, Academia/universities.