MOTM
The Meeting of the Minds (MOTM)
The Meeting of the Minds (MOTM) is a gathering that uniquely combines networking and thoughtful policy discussion on topics affecting underserved communities.
We partner with the local chapters of collegiate alumni and national professional organizations to spread awareness of the event. Most of the audience members are urban professionals.
Our goal is to provide a forum for critical conversation on issues often ignored by mainstream media outlets.
Identify the root cause of the issue (if discussing a concern), share best practices/innovative solutions focused on improvement and determine practical action steps to implement immediately.
Recognize how all organizations present at the event can mobilize and share resources to address the concern.
Throughout the discussion, audience members are invited to ask questions, to which the panelists respond by sharing their insights on the matter at hand.
After the general discussion, the event transforms into an in-person social component allowing attendees to build on ideas.
Previous Events
Leveraging Resources for Common Good
Corporate Sponsors: Google and The Peebles Corporation
Location: Washington, DC
Date: April 28th, 2016
Leveraging Resources for Common Good
Corporate Sponsors: Google and The Peebles Corporation
Location: New York, NY
Date: March 22nd, 2016
Suicidal Behavior and Depression in the Black & Brown Community
Location: Washington, DC
Date: July 30th, 2015
Location: New York, NY
Date: July 15th, 2015
Gentrification in the City
Location: Washington, DC
Date: March 24th, 2015
Location: New York, NY
Date: April 14th, 2015
Black and Brown in the Sports Industry
Location: Washington, DC
Date: November 12th, 2015
Location: New York, NY
Date: October 21st, 2015
School to Prison Pipeline
Location: New York, NY
Date: July 23rd, 2013
Politics as Usual
Location: Washington, DC
Date: December 10th, 2014
Location: New York, NY
Date: January 20th, 2015
Bridging the Color Divide in Technology
Location: Washington, DC
Date: August 20th, 2014
Location: New York, NY
Date: August 12th, 2014
President Obama’s “My Brothers’ Keeper Initiative”
Location: Washington, DC
Date: May 21st, 2014
Location: New York, NY
Date: April 29th, 2014
The Introspective Assessment of the Minority Family in America
Location: New York, NY
Date: January 13, 2014
Affirmative Action & Corporate Diversity
Location: New York, NY
Date: February 27th, 2013
BRIEF OVERVIEW
The Catalyst Network Foundation Inc. (CNF) is a non-profit education initiative 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C. The social enterprise is fundamentally grassroots, steered by a volunteer leadership team in New York City and Washington, D.C. In July of 2012, Ranking Congressman Ed Towns awarded a proclamation to the Foundation, in recognition of the organization’s achievements.
CNF was conceived after its two founding members had a conversation about the future of youth and veterans in their community. After reviewing the lack of communal resources, skill development programs, and career-field opportunities for adults – the founders developed a vision. Through their combined efforts and strategic planning, the two founders recruited additional professionals to support the formation of Catalyst Network Foundation.
Founded in 2011, the nonprofit focuses on life enrichment and professional development, with a mission to engage high-potential youth (ages 14-25) by providing the essential tools, networks, skill-building projects, and development opportunities to maximize talent.
CNF holds a Summer Intensive Program for rising high school juniors and seniors in New York City and Washington, D.C. Successful applicants are enrolled at a CNF partnership high school. Each student receives individualized attention and internships in preparation for higher education and community service. The fellowship scholars are trained from day one: they tour corporate offices, pitch business ideas, and develop professional skills. More than 200 students have been admitted to the Fellowship Program and are CNF Fellows, 99 percent have graduated high school, and 98 percent enrolled in higher education institutions (including prestigious colleges and universities).
Through CNF’s Mentorship Program, Fellowship scholars are paired with a mentor that is a trailblazer in the profession or career field the fellows aspire to pursue. The CNF Internship Program secures CNF Fellows with internships at startups, corporations, and medical institutions.
Since 2011, the Fellows have experienced corporate tours and/or pitched capstone presentations and interventions for inner-city school challenges to several companies, including: Google, Goldman Sachs, NIKE, LinkedIn, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, HBO, Covington & Burling LLP, GAP, Bloomberg, BET, NPR, The Carlyle Group, Kaye Scholer LLP, Hughes Hubbard Reed LLP, Deutsche Bank, Infor, The Peebles Corporation, Deloitte, FOX News, and NBC Studios.
The youth initiative annually holds tech symposiums at Google, career, and college preparatory workshops throughout the school year, instructing more than 2,000 high school students in the aforementioned metropolitan areas.
CNF performs screening and facilitates seamless partnership arrangements with high schools, nonprofits, and corporations. I.e., City Poly Tech High School < > Infor
The organization works with American veterans (ages 21-30), connecting them with resources and information to assist them with their career and academic ambitions.
CNF has curated 25+ professional networking events and diversity career recruiting sessions. The organization host a professional mixer and panel discussion called The Meeting of the Minds (MOTM) a gathering that is held quarterly it uniquely combines networking and thoughtful policy discussion on topics affecting minority communities. The goal is to provide a forum for critical conversation on issues often ignored by mainstream media outlets.