VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Eli Mackey, a seventh-grader from Hampton, is making waves by transitioning from author to podcaster. In August, he penned a nonfiction book about turtles, and now he has launched his podcast, "Turtle Talks and Nature Walks."
“I’ve started the first episode of my podcast,” Mackey said. He credits the Bennett Center, a Virginia Beach nonprofit, for helping him turn his creativity into a business.
The Bennett Center, founded by Alasha Bennett, focuses on helping families overcome poverty by teaching children ages 5 to 17 how to build and sustain businesses.
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“They helped me figure out how to create and maintain my business and ensure my book was produced properly,” he added.
When Alasha Bennett became a parent, she decided to teach her children entrepreneurship. In 2016, she began extending her mission to other young people through the Bennett Center.
“Empowering them to manage their finances is personal for me,” Bennett said. “I learned that being on assistance doesn’t allow for self-improvement.” She recalls her family’s struggles with social services while growing up.
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“Our program teaches branding, marketing, and social media. By the end, they have their LLC and business banking,” Bennett explained.
Since minors cannot legally operate a business alone, the program also involves their families, enabling parents to learn valuable skills as well.
“I didn’t know anything about business, self-employment tax, or deductions. Those are things that need to be taught for success,” said Meghan Ellis, who enrolled her 9-year-old daughter, Evie, in the program.
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“I am an abstract artist, and this is one of my pieces,” Evie said, proudly displaying her artwork.
While Evie is a talented artist, her mother wanted her to acquire the skills necessary to sell her work and achieve financial independence.
“The main goal is to inspire them to improve their lives and those of their families,” Bennett said.
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The Bennett Center is making a significant impact in the community. “We’re talking about generational change, not just for the moment but for a lifetime,” she added.
To learn more about The Bennett Center and how you can enroll your child go to their website at https://www.thebennettcenter.com/.
