As WBENC has shown during these recent challenging years, helping to grow and develop new leaders and businesses cannot stop, including learning and development for young students. Again this year, WBENC partnered with Planet Mogul, a program that develops the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and workforce and community leaders by providing an intellectual and interactive learning environment for elementary-middle school students.
Throughout 2020-2021, Planet Mogul operated through a hybrid model of virtual and distance learning. 
With the generous support of Bristol Myers Squibb, WBENC and Planet Mogul distributed 1,000 backpacks to communities across the state of New Jersey, where Bristol Myers Squibb is headquartered. Backpacks were filled with Planet Mogul’s proprietary Moguls-In-Training Workbook, which weaves business, entrepreneurship, and industry-specific education into innovative/interactive activities that challenge and expand student thinking. In addition to the workbooks, backpacks also included colored pencils and healthy snacks to keep the students motivated and full.
“Community impact is important to all of us at Bristol Myers Squibb. That‘s why this year‘s Planet Mogul program with WBENC is particularly significant. Being able to support this program since inception and again this year means that we are positively impacting kids and families, including in the state where many of our own employees live. Thanks to WBENC and Planet Mogul for making this powerful program happen again this year, despite the ongoing circumstances surrounding us all.”
– Sundari Pai Luts, Senior Manager, Global Supplier Diversity, Bristol Myers Squibb
The backpacks were distributed to 1,000 elementary-middle school-aged students across six different youth development organizations located across New Jersey. 
The workbooks were given out during a Career Day event at HiTOPS, an organization that fosters strong and healthy young people of all identities by providing inclusive and youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support for young people throughout New Jersey. Tarrance Frierson (he/him), Director of Global Supplier Diversity at Bristol Myers Squibb, joined the HiTOPS Career Day to discuss the importance of inclusion in the workplace.
The backpacks were also distributed to five Boys & Girls Clubs across the state of New Jersey, including Clifton and Newark, and in Mercer, Monmouth, and Hudson counties. The workbooks were added to the Club’s summer camp curriculum to allow for a creative and interactive addition to typical summer camp activities. The campers were also able to take the workbooks home with them to further engage with the online digital platform of industry-specific videos and activations.
“The workbooks are incredible. As you can imagine, sometimes our staff members can run out of games or ideas during our long summer camp days. They’ve used the workbook to keep members’ interest high while also being able to have tons of fun.”
– Daniel Rivera, Greater Asbury Park Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County
Planet Mogul works to diversify the pipeline by providing tools for middle school students to explore industries through the proprietary Moguls-in-Training Workbook that helps influence studies in science, technology, engineering and math. The workbook also includes a digital environment which features a career guide and industry-specific videos.
Planet Mogul’s primary focus is to have our youth FUTURE READY by cultivating a diverse pipeline of entrepreneurs, community leaders, innovators and a prepared workforce by teaching the art of the possible.
Planet Mogul empowers students to achieve more for themselves, their families and their communities in the following ways:
- Develop the next generation of innovators, workforce, and community leaders
- Empower students to achieve more for themselves, their families and their communities
- Diversify the entrepreneurial and innovative pipeline
- Enrich learning and real-life experiences so students are Future Ready
- Help students foster critical and creative thinking and to build capacity to plan the future
- Increase the number of students studying and pursuing STEAM careers
Interested in partnering with or sponsoring WBENC’s Planet Mogul Program? Email Avery Trump at atrump@wbenc.org.
