The Vision at a Glance

Why:The current educational paradigm disproportionately affects underrepresented communities, perpetuating inequities, and stifling potential. It's time for a radical transformation.How would the world change if schools had no borders, allowing modern learners from underrepresented communities to engage in global experiences, social entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange as new avenues to address issues that impact humanity?Led by Marisha Dixon, relentless educator turned social entrepreneur, ZENtertainment Enterprises serves as aboutique, black woman-owned entertainment experience consultancy for mission-minded organizationsand offers a unique social enterprise model that converges project-based learning with entertainment experiences.

How:Through strategic collaborations with revolutionary leaders from industries of the future, impactful project-based learning experiences designed for marginalized modern learners, and innovative entertainment-driven experiences as avenues to showcase our combined progress while spotlighting the stories of those served by our mission, we're building a global movement: 'It Still Takes A Village: Reimagining The Future of Education' - a meticulous 3-year launch campaign.

Meet The Visionary

Picture a world where education isn't confined to classroom walls, where learning is a dynamic journey that transcends borders, embraces paid, intergenerational, project-based experiences, and empowers all individuals to shape their destinies. In a world where education reform efforts have fallen short of creating meaningful impact, I write with a fervent belief in a brighter future. My journey through academia - both as a student and master educator - reveal the gaps that embarrassingly remain persistent in preparing modern learners for a fulfilling life. This unfortunate reality disproportionately impedes the progress of those from underrepresented communities. The shadows of inadequate systems and unfulfilled potential haunt us in all areas of life. Transformation is long overdue. I stand at the intersection of experience and exploration, ready to rewrite the story of education. My unrelenting passion for change led me to two years of dedicated research and planning during an unpaid sabbatical. I've owned this challenge and have emerged with a radical vision. Today, I'm embracing my educator's heart and venturing into social entrepreneurship. Join me, as I invite you to embark on an extraordinary, global voyage to transform the future of education, industries, and society itself. This is the genesis of ZENtertainment Enterprises.

- Ms. Marisha, CXO

The Vision: ZENtertainment Enterprises

ZENtertainment Enterprises is a sanctuary of creativity and impact. We are more than consultants; we are architects of stories, curators of connections, and catalysts for change. ZENtertainment Enterprises is a boutique, black woman-owned entertainment experience agency. Our specialty is delivering project-based marketing and recruitment solutions for socially responsible brands seeking fresh and personalized approaches to amplify their story and more efficiently connect with the people who matter most to their success - their teams and customers. Champions of purposeful collaboration, globally immersive, project-based learning, and economic advancement for underrepresented communities, ZENtertainment operates as a social enterprise that provides change-making career seekers and modern learners paid, hands-on opportunities to work on client projects as a vehicle to advance their knowledge, skills and earning potential in essential industries of the future. At ZENtertainment Enterprises, mission-minded brands find their voice and increase their impact while modern learners can access new avenues to forge their destinies.

Core Values

Personal Wellbeing is the Catalyst for Social Impact: Recognizing that personal wellbeing forms the foundation for making a positive impact on society. When individuals prioritize their own physical, mental, and emotional health, they are better equipped to contribute meaningfully to their communities and effect lasting change.

Collaboration is the Key to Life Reimagined: Embracing collaboration as a means to construct a purposeful life. In a rapidly changing world, diverse perspectives and collective efforts are essential to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create innovative solutions that lead to a reimagined and fulfilling existence.

Storytelling, Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living: Understanding the timeless power of storytelling to convey ideas, evoke emotions, and connect people across cultures and generations. In the digital age, effective storytelling remains an essential tool for communication, empathy-building, and driving positive change.

Adaptability and Experimentation for Innovative Creations: Embracing adaptability and a willingness to experiment as fundamental elements of fostering innovation. In a dynamic world, the ability to adapt, iterate, and learn from failures fuels the creation of groundbreaking solutions that address contemporary challenges.

These four core values are highly relevant for navigating the complexities of the modern world. The interconnectedness of global challenges, rapid technological advancements, and the need for sustainable solutions require individuals to be well-rounded and forward-thinking. Personal wellbeing enables resilience and sustained efforts toward societal betterment. Collaboration enables the pooling of diverse talents to tackle intricate issues. Storytelling bridges cultural and generational gaps in communication. Adaptability and experimentation drive breakthroughs in a swiftly changing landscape.

Our Mission & Purpose of Partnership

Boldness fuels innovation and innovation fuels progress. At ZENtertainment Enterprises, we are igniting a global revolution in education and industry through the launch of a 3-year initiative. 'It Still Takes A Village: Reimagining The Future of Education' is not just a campaign; it's a manifesto of change. This multi-year initiative is an invitation to those we call "Pillars of The Village" - the creative leaders and strategic thinkers committed to moving people, industries, and humanity forward. In a strategic effort to kickstart our entertainment experience consultancy that centers socially responsible brands and to expand the conversation about the future of global education, ZENtertainment will leverage this campaign to coordinate strategic collaborations, secure capital for capacity building, sustainable operations, to develop globally immersive career pathways in essential industries of the future, as well as community resources that are delivered in the form of meaningful media, multipurpose makerspaces, as well as educational, professional, and social programming and events that take place in-person across the globe and virtually. Journey with us.

ISTAV Campaign Initiatives and Timeline

1. (Sept-Dec 2023) Predictions for a Prosperous Future: The "Predictions for a Prosperous Future" capstone project is designed to be a culmination of the Fall 2023 journey for modern learners, showcasing their critical and creative thinking abilities. In this project, partner universities will explore seven (7) key themes that are shaping the future of education, business, and society. Modern learners from each university will have the freedom to express their insights and predictions through both written and video components. These components will be used to produce evergreen, omni-channel content for ZENtertainment Enterprises that can be shared across various platforms to inspire and inform others about their mission and drive involvement.
2. (Dec 2023-Feb 2024) EmpowerED Futures Showcase: Join us for the "EmpowerED Futures" showcase, a dynamic 90-minute event that unveils the culmination of the "Predictions for a Prosperous Future" capstone project. Witness how modern learners are transforming education, business, and society through innovative ideas. Experience an inspiring film screening, thematic showcases, and insightful student panel discussions, as we explore themes like project-based learning, cross-cultural preparation, and social enterprises. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of education and discover how ZENtertainment Enterprises is leading the charge to reimagine the future of education. Your presence is a step toward empowerment and change.
3. (Dec 2023) Capital Campaign Kickoff): Begin securing project-based learning champions (sponsors) for the launch and execution of ISTAV campaign initiatives.
4. (March 2024) New Avenues Digital Enrichment Center: New Avenues is a companion resource to ZENtertainment that serves as the first entertainment-driven, project-based learning hub where socially conscious brands and people connect.
5. (April 2024) Reimagining The Future of Education: Join ZENtertainment Enterprises on a transformative journey to reimagine the future of education. The "It Still Takes A Village" article series invites globally recognized leaders and modern learners to collaboratively explore the evolution, impact, and possibilities of education. Through this engaging and thought-provoking series, we invite you to embark on a journey that challenges conventional norms, celebrates diversity, and pioneers a new era of education. It's time to collectively reimagine the future of education and shape a world where learning fosters growth, connection, and positive change.
6. (April 2024) The Road Ahead, A New Way to Work: This 4-part article series explores the intersection of work, education, and innovation, uniting industry leaders, modern learners, and global thinkers. Through engaging dialogues, we delve into the emergence of new industries, the art of bridging skill gaps, fostering a diverse global workforce, and introducing a dynamic digital platform. Together, we are architects of change, shaping a future where education and work are bound by purpose.
7. (July-Sept 2024) Talent Tour:ZENtertainment Enterprises is embarking on an exciting journey to recruit top-tier executive talent across five major cities on a multinational scale. The "ZENtertainment Talent Tour" is a strategic initiative designed to identify and onboard visionary leaders who will shape the company's future success. This talent acquisition strategy will be executed in the following five cities: Phoenix (USA), London (UK), Shenzhen (China), Mumbai (India), and Sydney (Australia).
8. (Sept 2024) It Still Takes A Village, The Documentary: is a short documentary that explores the evolving landscape of education and the critical role that communities play in shaping the future of learning and earning. In an era of rapid technological advancements and societal changes, traditional educational models are being challenged. This documentary delves into the inspiring stories of educators, students, parents, and professionals in various industries from around the world who are reimagining education as a collaborative effort that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

Target Audience Segments for ISTAV Campaign Priority Initiatives:

1. Modern Learners
2. Educators
3. Industry Professionals
4. Global Thinkers

Target Audience Segments for Info Deck:

1. Project-based Learning Champions (in-kind and financial sponsors)
2. Project-based Learning Partners (sources to support the development of a pipeline to top talent to the ZEN executive team and modern learners to engage in project EXPs)
3. Top talent for Executive Leadership roles (10)
4. Modern Learners for planning, launch, and execution of campaign initiatives

ZENtertainment Enterprises is deeply committed to positioning itself as a model social enterprise by seeking to build excellence, enhance access and have an impact on humanity. This requires a team and network of collaborators to reflect the intellectual, intersectional, intergenerational, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our world so those served by our work can learn from the broadest perspectives. Project Description: Introduction to the Project: Welcome to a revolutionary project that invites a select group of modern learners from Cape Breton University to join ZENtertainment Enterprises on a journey to redefine education's future. ZENtertainment Enterprises envisions a world where education shapes both minds and societies, driven by innovative thinking and social entrepreneurship. Our mission is to empower modern learners to create a compelling information deck that showcases our unique, social enterprise approach, our launch strategy, and attracts potential partners, talent, and sponsors who align with our vision. Scope: This project offers modern learners a unique opportunity to collaborate and contribute to a real-world initiative. They will craft an engaging information deck that encapsulates the core values, visionary goals, and strategies of ZENtertainment Enterprises. The scope includes research, analysis, creative design, and a comprehensive presentation tailored for our target audience groups. By participating, learners will experience firsthand the dynamics of developing a socially conscious enterprise and immerse themselves in transformative education. Deliverables: 1. A comprehensive info deck (business plan) that includes the following components: a. Vision, Mission, and Values Presentation: This will serve as the executive summary of the info deck. The project team will craft a presentation that clearly articulates the overarching vision of ZENtertainment Enterprises, its mission to reimagine education for social change, and the core values that guide its endeavors. b. Industry Analysis: A detailed exploration of our organization's intersecting industries, highlighting the potential for social impact and innovation. c. SWOT Analysis: A strategic analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, shaping our approach and direction. d. Problems & Proposed Solutions: A clear identification of global challenges our initiatives aim to address and innovative solutions we propose. e. Launch Strategy Overview: The info deck will include a detailed overview of our launch strategy, highlighting key milestones, target audience segments including talent acquisition goals, and marketing tactics that will drive initial engagement and brand visibility. f. Financial Projections: Collaboratively, the team will compile a detailed breakdown of the financial revenue streams for ZENtertainment Enterprises that could contribute to the organization's financial sustainability and illustrate the growth trajectory. g. Engaging Visual Assets: The info deck will feature visually appealing graphics, images, and infographics to enhance the presentation's appeal and effectively communicate complex information. h. Interactive Elements: To engage readers of the info deck more effectively, the presentation will incorporate interactive elements such as clickable prototypes, interactive charts, and multimedia components. 2. Leveraging the above content from the complete info deck, modern learners will need to create more targeted presentations designed specifically for the three target audience groups that will be critical to the successful launch and execution of the ZENtertainment Enterprises and their go-to-market campaign. The three target groups include: a. Sponsors: A tailored presentation showcasing the value of partnering with ZENtertainment Enterprises to contribute to impactful change and innovation. b. Partners: An engaging presentation highlighting the benefits of collaboration, emphasizing shared values, and the collective impact we can achieve. c. Talent: A presentation designed to attract talented individuals, demonstrating our commitment to personal development, experiential learning, and social entrepreneurship. 3. ZENtertainment is both an entertainment experience consultancy and a creator and champion of unique project-based learning experiences for modern learners. With that said, the leadership of the organization would like to understand how this project supported student learning and how we can continue to grow to ensure we continue to achieve our mission. The third and final deliverable will consist of two parts: a. The completion of a "Student Insights" form. A link to the "Student Insights" form will be provided to the student team at the completion of the project. ZENtertainment wants to understand what each team member knew/understood about the organization, the assigned project and how valuable (or not) the project was to enhancing their knowledge/skills of the subject matter (Business Management). We are also curious to learn more about each team member's educational/career path, so participants will see a few thought prompts related to that as well. b. A final video chat debrief with the business partner to get an overview of the student team's approach that led to the final deliverable. Specifically, how did the team work together to complete the project, challenges experienced and how they solved them to ensure execution in a timely manner, thoughts on project-based learning i.e. general likes, dislikes and areas for improvement. Rationale for the Project Partnership: By collaborating with modern learners at Cape Breton University, our goal is to create an info deck that not only informs but also resonates with our target audience's passion for social impact, innovation, sustainability, and personal development. This project will enable us to leverage the insights and expertise of modern learners to attract the right partners, talent, and sponsors who share our vision of transforming education for a better world.

Conduct Industry Analysis on ISTAV Campaign project by Zentertainment ?