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Landon V. Taylor named Campaign Chairman of initiative to unlock youth entrepreneurial energy

July 31, 2012 – Washington DC –  Financial dignity nonprofit Operation HOPE and Gallup, the co-creators of the Gallup HOPE Index, today announced the launch of the America 2020 Campaign, a national campaign to crush the high school dropout rate and unlock the entrepreneurial energy residing dormant among the 30 million middle school and high school students in the US.

“The campaign will be led by America 2020 Campaign Chairman, Landon V. Taylor, Vice President of Business Development for CoreLogic Dorado and Co-Chairman of the Gallup-HOPE Index Advisory Board,” said John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE founder, chairman and chief executive office. “With the passion and relentless drive that Landon brings to the campaign, the America 2020 vision is certain to be realized.”

Operation HOPE introduced HOPE Business-in-A-Box “Powered by the Gallup-HOPE Index” in February of this year, as the company’s flagship intervention program to stem the high school drop-out rate and promote entrepreneurship in America.

“HOPE Business-in-A-Box (HBIAB) will unlock the entrepreneurial energy residing dormant among the 30 million middle school and high school students who are the future leaders of America and the bench strength for the playoff game of our lives as the country competes in the global war for jobs,” said Taylor.  “The America 2020 Campaign will raise $10M in operating capital enabling the national roll out of HBIAB over the next three years. “

HOPE Business-in-A-Box consists of 25 business all $500 dollars or less easy to start, fund and operate entrepreneurial endeavors designed for youth.  The core difference maker for HBIAB is the active engagement between the student and his/her HBIAB business role model.

“The big failure of our leadership in America is that only 5% of the 30 million middle school and high school students are in internships in companies or organizationsWhat these future leaders need are positive business role models.  If city leaders were to change that 5% to 20%, it would transform the United States of America more than anything else ever done in our country,” said Gallup CEO, Jim Clifton.  “HBIAB and the America 2020 Campaign have set out a great plan to reach 20% nationwide by December 2020 and we at Gallup have pledged our support for the next 100 years.” 
The America 2020 Campaign has attracted world class supporters and partners including:

  • Endorsed by the White House Summer Jobs+ Initiative
  • Endorsed and announced as commitment best practice at the White House Financial Capability Summit 
  • Gallup, who has made a 100-year commitment 
  • Denver Public Schools as HBIAB pilot partner    
  • Oakland Unified School District as HBIAB pilot partner
  • Featured on main stage at former President Bill Clinton's CGI America 2012
  • BBDO World Wide as designer of the HBIAB product packaging 
  • Endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young who arranged the Atlanta pilot to be led by Jean Childs Young Middle School

Gallup and HOPE began work together in 2010 to identify hope, wellbeing, engagement, financial literacy, and economic energy, polling American students, in an effort to help educators factor in the voices of students when tailoring education curriculum and determining schooling interventions. Ultimately, this work stands to become one of most powerful initial forecasts for the nation’s GDP, job growth, and overall leadership role in the world.

In December of this year the America 2020 campaign will take center stage at the 2nd Annual Gallup HOPE Index Forum where the companies will announce the America 2020 founding signature partners along with the Gallup HOPE Index 2012 results.

 

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About Gallup
Gallup has studied human nature and behavior for more than 75 years. Gallup's reputation for delivering relevant, timely, and visionary research on what people around the world think and feel is the cornerstone of the organization. Gallup employs many of the world's leading scientists in management, economics, psychology, and sociology, and our consultants assist leaders in identifying and monitoring behavioral economic indicators worldwide. Gallup consultants help organizations boost organic growth by increasing customer engagement and maximizing employee productivity through measurement tools, coursework, and strategic advisory services. Gallup's 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web, at Gallup University's campuses, and in more than 40 offices around the world. For more information visit www.gallup.com.

About Operation HOPE
Since 1992, nonprofit Operation HOPE has been a global leader in financial dignity and empowerment. It has raised more than $1 Billion in the pursuit of “silver rights” empowerment for the next generation of global stakeholders and provided economic education and financial literacy tools to more than 2 million low-wealth individuals. To learn more about HOPE, visitwww.operationhope.org.

 

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