Beginning Thursday, October 1 and continuing through October 10, 2009, Eleven Emerging Young Professionals  will visit Wilberforce University to participate in entrepreneurship and business management training. The five USA and six Nigerian students are part of a program funded by the U.S. Department of State through the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP). The program, entitled COLLABORATION TO STRENGTHEN EMERGING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS' PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT is a collaboration with Southern University (Louisiana), Wilberforce University and The University of Benin (Nigerian). The exchange program will consist of three components: Training, experiential learning, and cultural enrichment.

While at Wilberforce, the students will receive training in the fundamentals of entreprenueralship and business management including: business plan development, a tour of local area businesses, and cultural enrichment activities.

The theme of the program is aimed at serving as a catalyst to promote conflict resolution, tolerance for and appreciation of diversity, and global stewardship. The young professionals from different walks of life have come together as "Entrepreneurs" with a common interest and goal of small business development and international networking. The next generation of highly trained national and global entrepreneurs will be their collective identity, and they will understand that economic development is a shared opportunity and a shared responsibility, regardless of differences.