Book Reviews: Dynamic Social Entrepreneurs by Bornstein & Novogratz

Moments of Obligations – How to Change the World – Social Entrepreneur and the Power of New Ideas
In Bornstein’s “How to Change the World,” a dynamic collection of compelling stories of social change, his selections illustrate the most creative passionate, driven and visionary individuals from around the world who boldly take on extraordinary challenges in efforts to create long term change for their communities.

As a student new to the study of social entrepreneurship I appreciate Bornstein’s contributions illustrating the many layers of social entrepreneurs. Bornstein’s compilation allowed me to vividly envision the people, the place, the need, and the struggles, to the glorious outcomes bestowed by the earnest work of the social entrepreneurs. “How to Change the World” is a great read for those interested in learning more about the concept of social entrepreneurship and referencing success models of social entrepreneurs.

In particular, I was moved by the lifelong work Rosa, beginning as a young man in Brazil, who married his passions to ensure that every household in the rural communities would have electricity to circumvent the ills of poverty. Through his connections, organizing and his childhood experience growing up on farmlands, he was certain he had to and could do something. From Florence Nightingale’s story of helping provide clean and attentive care to injured and forgotten soldiers, to Erzebet Szekeres’ unconditional love for her son to use his disability to reform the attitude of individuals – all are poignant examples of passion, sacrifice, perseverance and vision that can effect real change, not only for their loved ones, but for the world.

The term entrepreneur was credited by French economist Jean Baptiste Say in the 17th and 18th century to mean someone who undertakes a significant project or activity (Dees, 2001) helps in the definition and understanding of the social entrepreneur. Noted by J. Gregory Dees in his article “The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship,” he states social entrepreneur are rare breeds and they should be recognized as such from the traditional entrepreneur. Although some do not have the luxury to take formal “how to” entrepreneurial classes, a person’s innate drive and perseverance can led them down the path to find answers, resources, and solutions. Like the example of social entrepreneurs Rosa, Nightingale, Szekeres and others noted in Bornstein’s “How to Change the World” book, who identified the deficit in their communities and had the skills, passion and foresight to seize the opportunity to make a difference.

Amazon Review Link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1VOM3KBWQ83XG/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

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BLUE SWEATER by Jacqueline Novogratz

Jacqueline Novogratz and her book The Blue Sweater are both amazing! In the The Blue Sweater, Novogratz reveals the intricacies of traveling to foreign lands loaded with idealism and in search of ways to change the world. A great read into the subtle differences of culture and rifts in perception are challenged during her journeys abroad. Novogratz’s ability to adapt in foreign territory and overall make an impact prevailed. She takes us through her initial naïve approaches to mid-course adjustments to her ultimate success in empowering Rwandan women to open bank accounts, take and repay loans and grow their businesses to support themselves and their communities. Though the road to success was not smooth, the shared goals she created with a dynamic group of co-founders were tangibly realized in the microfinance bank turned credit union called “Duterimbere.” Twenty years later it serves 50,000 clients and is making a difference in the lives of women and families.

A persistent and growing sense of frustration with traditional charity in Africa, the US and elsewhere caused the author to investigate the failures of philanthropy. Many resources were misapplied and leading struggling people down the wrong path towards dependency and not self sufficiency. It was honest conversations about what did not work that helped guide Novogratz’s new efforts – to create a dynamic in philanthropic giving that did not follow the norm and that included buy in, support and participation from both sides of the coin.

That “all human beings are created equal” is a significant guiding principle reiterated in the book – a moral concept and economic imperative underscored by the devastating Rwandan genocide. This includes opportunities for basic services for rich and the poor alike. Access to services for the poor in addition to Novogratz’s frustration with traditional philanthropy led her to explore a new paradigm.

Traditional charity, she argued, created passive “givers” and “takers,” but did not build accountability and did not strengthen institutions to keep providing tools for change. Rather, handing out grants essentially became the source of income rather than the catalyst for a healthy, sustained, market-driven organization. It created a cycle of dependence and corruption rather than reinforcing the moral compass of those doing the work or supporting the innovative drive of nonprofits and governments. Ultimately, philanthropy was doing a disservice to the people it was suppose to help. After years of this frustration, she embarked on a social change venture that was a significant risk to herself and her partners. She put together like-minded people with ideas, drive and access to capital – large amounts of it – and created her own fund. Acumen Fund formed a new relationship between “investors” and inventive institutions with the potential to deliver dividends quantified in terms of the “change” they could make in serving poor communities, whether through clean water access, alternative energy creation, healthcare and more.

Today, Rwanda has more women in parliament than any nation and stands as a model to the world. Many of the opportunities for women that the author sought to create at the beginning of the book have become real. She took her lessons learned, her frustration with the status quo and her hope and belief in human nature to create a new, vibrant and influential fund that changes the landscape of philanthropic giving in Africa and around the world.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1VPNTGOOFQD6Z/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm