SMU Social Innovation Forum set for April 7

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU will host its fourth annual Social Innovation Forum and Expo on Thursday, April 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall, beginning with a panel discussion with local social entrepreneurs led by Trey Bowles, Meadows School of the Arts adjunct professor and CEO of The Dallas Entrepreneur Center.

The panel will include representatives from the Good Returns Group, Tango Tab, Cause Studio, Equal Heart and other leading Dallas social entrepreneurs and organizations. Participants will describe how to do social good through their organization or project, the state of the social innovation ecosystem in Dallas, and how to activate the community turning ideas for social change into action.

The Social Impact Expo will follow the panel from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., where attendees can network with panelists, and visit with entrepreneurs and representatives from nonprofit organizations in the DFW area. The expo also provides an opportunity to sample products and learn about resume-boosting jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities that have a positive impact on the community.

The event, presented by SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts and Hegi Family Career Development Center, is free and open to the public, though advance registration is requested through http://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/Career/Events.

“There continues to be an upswell of interest across campus around social innovation, and more and more students every day are finding ways to make an impact in areas of social injustice,” said Bowles.  “This year the Hegi Career Center is taking an even greater leadership role in this event, led by Devon Skeritt, and we are anticipating our biggest attendance yet. I appreciate and welcome SMU’s continued priority in convening and leading conversations like this that are sure to make a large impact in the future of our city.”

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