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 Social Entrepreneur
Briland Modem Fund (http://www.brilandmodemfund.com)
In addition to successfully developing the Los Angeles-based CONVERGENZ/Solutions' agency pedigree as a noted guerrilla marketing and positioning shop for the technology, entertainment, education and economic development communities, Kimberly King-Burns is frequently invited to speak at new media conferences around the country to underscore the development and use of the Internet around the world as a social, educational and cultural tool, based on her continuing work with multinational programs in general ... and local schools, 'safe' houses and computer workshops in empowerment zones around the United States and overseas in particular. King-Burns was raised on Harbour Island, Bahamas, and has since launched several community portals online, including the Bahamas-specific Briland Modem located at www.briland.com. King-Burns is also executive director of the not-for profit Briland Modem Fund, which currently manages four community computer centers on Harbour Island; Bluff, Eleuthera; Gregory Town, Eleuthera; and Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera. In addition to the Briland Modem, King-Burns developed CaribeNetwork.com and NetworkBahamas.com, an IT and digital media business development, information and education B2B resource for the countries of the Bahamas and Caribbean region.
What was your moment of truth?
The Briland.com messageboard was launched quickly in the face of 1999's Hurricane Floyd, which we could see heading to the Bahamas. We were able to quickly and efficiently coordinate hurricane relief and home, foliage rebuilding in Eleuthera and Harbour Island. The locals were really impressed with the speed of the redevelopment, and curious to learn more about computers and the Internet. I had been told for years that central government in Nassau would be an impossible hurdle in my overall goal to build out community technology centers throughout Eleuthera. By working in tandem with local government councils, though, we were able to engage the volunteer and supporting business, tourism and education sources of the island to build out these centers as a combined public/private sector effort. We've since developed a successful formula for developing these centers [three more are scheduled to open in January 2003] by specifically teaming up with local government. The Briland Modem Fund provides the software, hardware and training [thanks to corporate sponsors IBM Nassau, Amoury Company, Royal Bank of Canada-Dunmore Town, Rotary Club East Nassau and Rotary Club International]... and local councils provide government buildings that Batelco wires for Internet access. Local government covers the cost of the access, so that the community can use the centers free of charge. The only revenue stream in place at the centers comes from expats and tourists who use the centers to check their e-mail, resulting in a win-win situation all around.
(The exact date? 9/15/1999)
What were the results?
The Briland Modem at www.briland, launched as a bulletin board to coordinate storm relief in September 1999, has since been launched as a full-fledged online community portal, which continues to attract more than 100,000 unique visits a month from more than twenty countries around the world. The Briland Modem Fund, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arm of the Briland Modem, now operates community technology centers in Harbour Island; Bluff/Gregory Town/Palmetto Point, Eleuthera ... with plans to open three more centers in Hatchet Bay/James Cistern/Lower Bogue, Eleuthera in January 2003. Graduates of our centers' onsite IBM certification computer training have gone on to build their own web design businesses that now support local businesses online. Some of those graduates are now pursuing computer science degrees at universities around the world. An Eleuthera economic development board has launched, working to attract IT and knowledge-based companies to Eleuthera to take advantage of the phenomenal business and tropical climate ... and work with wonderful, inspired island folks who know their way around a local area network.
What's your parting tip?
Be patient. Don't be hasty in judging a situation for its potential. Be patient. Be thorough, generous with your time and energy. Be enthusiastic ... and be gently persistent.
What role did technology play in your success? What revolutionary, business transforming thing has your company's technology made possible?
Without the technical support of our corporate partners IBM Nassau and Amoury Company, none of the community technology center development throughout the Out Islands of the Bahamas would have been even remotely possible.
http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_02/profile/?king-burns878 |
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May 16th, 2005 @ 1:20PM |
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 For an example of an excellent Rotary Club-supported initiative in the Bahamas and Caribbean, see http://www.wiredislandnetwork.com. Rotary Club East Nassau joined the Briland Modem Fund's community technology centre outreach program (see www.brilandmodemfund.com) two years ago, and has since started working to drum regional Rotary
support to engage a similar effort Caribbean-wide. Microsoft Caribbean and IBM Nassau have also entered the mix.
Rotary Club East Nassau
In my experience these past few years, the Rotary Clubs do put their money and resources where their mouth is. Not only has the collaborative BMF/RECN effort brought computer literacy to several Out Islands of the Bahamas, it has also delivered services such as wheelchairs, reading resource rooms, books and audio equipment to a hugely underserved yet savvy population.
Since the advent of the Briland Modem Fund's first community centre in Harbour Island in 1999, several tech-related businesses have been launched by local entrepreneurs. As always, we continue to fundraise for the continued management and expansion of this
enthusiastically-received program, but Rotary Club's support worldwide has been integral to the success of the project.
Regards
Kimberly King-Burns
Executive director
http://www.brilandmodemfund.com
http://www.wiredislandnetwork.com
_______________________________________________________
convergenz/solutions - http://www.convergenz.com
The Briland Modem - http://www.briland.com
The Briland Modem Fund - http://www.brilandmodemfund.com
CaribeNetwork - http://www.caribenetwork.com
NetworkBahamas - http://www.networkbahamas.com
Wired Island Network - http://www.wiredislandnetwork.com
Yahoo/gMail/Batelnet: coconutH2O - AIM: convergenz
eFax: 818 450 0385 |
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May 16th, 2005 @ 12:33PM |
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