#tbt Thank you from KITE's Co-Founders November 2013
Starting a business whether big or small, internet or brick and mortar is always a giant leap of faith where you have to jump in with both feet and leave your ego at the door (all entrepreneurs are nodding right now). For me, KITE is the culmination of many of my greatest passions including, giving back and being creative. Since our launch in September we have been overwhelmed by the response we have received. People are astounded by the staggering statistics of children right outside our back door who do not have access to basic school supplies and are eager and excited to give back, conversations that continue to validate the mission of KITE. I have had many memorable moments on our rode so far, some that stand out include speaking to all ten store managers of the Blues Jean Bar about KITE for our November promotion, our first editorial interview with Eve Marx of the Bedford Record Review and opening my email to a portrait of 130 smiling faces in Kenya holding their new pencils as if they were holding the Stanley cup.
The height of our pilot project and my most memorable experience was our visit to KIPP Ujima Village Academy (KUVA) in Baltimore, Maryland. Our visit started with a meeting with the principal, Mike Lucas. Hearing from Mike about the amazing structure, guidance and support the curriculum is providing for the KUVA students was incredible. I was so excited to be helping a school that is invested in their students in a way that I had never seen before. We spent the remainder of our visit with four incredibly poised and eager eighth graders who we spoke to about KITE and they gave us several very insightful suggestions. They gave us a tour of their school and explained to us their day-to-day experience at KUVA, seeing the excitement on their faces as they spoke about their teachers, classes and their high school applications validated what an amazing program KUVA has created. These four students introduced us to a classroom where we spoke to the students about KITE and were able to hand deliver KITE pencil packs. The experience of visiting KUVA energized and invigorated me and made me beyond excited to be doing what we are doing, it was the ultimate culmination of our pilot project. I cannot wait to see what the future of KITE holds. Thank you to everyone who we have met so far, you inspire us everyday.
- Emily
A few weeks ago, Emily and I drove down to Baltimore to deliver our first round of pencil donations to KUVA, Kipp Ujima Village Academy. We had 470 pencil packs and sharpeners in tow, and an eagerness to get to the school that for months had been just a name we recited as KITE's domestic pilot partner. Our efforts were finally coming to fruition, and when walking down the school's hallways, painted with colorful, bold words, "excellence", "reach", "college bound", feelings of inspiration and a sense of peace came over me. As 86% of KUVA’s students come from families living below the poverty line, these are the words they live, walk and breathe. Equipping these kids with motivational tools, as well as literal tools is key in order to succeed in their education and break out of this cycle of poverty. It was in that moment where I said to myself, this is why KITE was started.
Our visit with the school where we spent time with the students and distributed the pencils validated that feeling times 100. Principal Lucas made our time extra special, providing us the opportunity to share KITE with a small group of 8th graders and get their feedback on our work. They too shared KIPP with us and proudly rendered KIPP's seven strengths that build a student's character -- zest, self-control, curiosity, optimism, grit, social intelligence and gratitude. It was an exciting and invigorating moment that confirmed -- kids have all the potential in the world.
Today, we are proud to report we have passed our pilot with flying colors. We are so grateful for all of the support we have received in our very humble beginnings, and all the more motivated to continue building and learning, collaborating and innovating, and hopefully, inspiring others as we have been inspired by you. Thank you.
- Elizabeth