Building tech communities through cutting edge innovation, entrepreneurial incubation, and public education is core to MAGIC’s nonprofit mission. If we know one thing to be true, however, it’s that a mission of this magnitude requires a collaborative effort. Teamwork is MAGIC, and we are proud to partner with innovators and changemakers who share our vision and are leveraging the power and potential of technology to help drive positive social change. In celebrating Black History Month, we would like to recognize and honor two black entrepreneurs who are not only impacting our local community, but who connected through MAGIC’s network: Markus Proctor of Innovators of Progress and Javon “Jaz” Spencer of ReDorm.
Markus Proctor (right) with MAGIC Executive Director Graham Dodge (left)
We begin with Markus Proctor, Executive Director of Innovators of Progress, a pre-accelerator program designed for college students to explore entrepreneurship. Markus shared his thoughts on the latest developments in STEM and Innovators of Progress’ 2024 cohort.
When did you launch Innovators of Progress, and what inspired you to do so?
I launched Innovators of Progress (IoP) in 2019, and I was inspired by the Meyerhoff Scholars program at UMBC since I was an affiliate during undergrad. It was during my time participating in the program that I dreamed of something similar for student innovators. The funding, networking, mentorship, and cohort structure concepts were all directly infused into IoP.
Where do you envision Innovators of Progress heading?
I’d like to see Innovators of Progress become the “Y-Combinator” of the East Coast, but strictly for students and based or headquartered in Baltimore.
In 2024, two positions were allocated for full-time students from any accredited Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in the US. What prompted this decision?
Since the start of the program, we struggled to garner enough applications from HBCUs. A student at Morgan State (at the time) gave me the suggestion to consider allocations during our selection process. After implementation, the number of applications sharply rose.
What makes the 2024 cohort history-making?
A few things:
This was our first time admitting students from McDaniel College [see interview with Javon Spencer below] and Morgan State University.
I may be wrong, but if McDaniel is considered a rural college, that would also be the first rural college represented in our program.
Students who identify as Black/African American represent 80% of the cohort. The largest percentage compared to all previous cohorts.
What steps can high school and college-age students take to jumpstart their ideas?
Learn how to talk to people, understand and decompose customer problems, and learn how to network.
What progress have you seen in increasing equity and inclusivity in STEM, and what makes you hopeful about the future?
Generally, there are vastly more opportunities to support STEM careers compared to when I was in college. The accessibility of information and the popularity of AI tools on the web have broken down so many barriers, especially in learning new skills. I’m hopeful that the erasure of such barriers will allow more time spent unlocking creativity and addressing more complex issues that technology alone cannot solve.
Javon Spencer (left) with MAGIC Board President and McDaniel College EIR Jennifer Yang (right)
Meanwhile, Javon “Jaz” Spencer, a former MAGIC Hackathon participant and current McDaniel College student, continues to progress in his entrepreneurial journey as a member of the newest cohort of Markus’s Innovators of Progress. Here’s what Javon had to share with us:
What inspired the creation of ReDorm?
I came up with the idea ReDorm (stands for recycled dorm) at the end of my Freshman year of college. Seeing dorm items and college textbooks filling up the dumpsters at the end of the year caught my attention and angered me in a sense. One because these items were either slightly used if not damaged at all, secondly because other students could use these same items and lastly this is ending up in our landfills and harming our environment. So I wanted to create something that would solve this problem.
What does ReDorm’s journey so far mean to you, and how does it feel to be selected for Innovators of Progress’ 2024 cohort?
What ReDorm’s journey represents to me is a testament to the power of persistence and passion. From its humble beginnings as a mere idea during my freshman year of college to its evolution into a fully functioning business by my junior year, the journey has been a profound learning experience. Being selected for the Innovators of Progress’ 2024 Cohort is a validation of the dedication and hard work that has gone into building ReDorm. It signifies a milestone in the realization of my entrepreneurial aspirations. Moving forward, I am filled with excitement and determination to make the most of this opportunity. I am eager to immerse myself in the learning process, to network with fellow innovators, and to further refine and grow ReDorm into a sustainable and impactful venture.
What challenges have you faced so far, and how did you overcome them?
Keeping the balance between academic obligations and running an effective company has created its own set of obstacles. However, with precise preparation and diligent time management, I’ve been able to successfully balance both aspects of my life. Furthermore, being relatively young and without much expertise has presented its own set of challenges. Yet, I’m able to receive assistance from the abundance of resources supplied by my college, family, and mentors. Drawing on their knowledge and experiences, I’ve been able to maneuver through unfamiliar waters with greater confidence and resilience. Furthermore, considering my limited means as a college student, financial problems have become an important issue. To solve this, I have actively pursued possibilities such as grants, scholarships, and competitions.
What steps can other high school or college-age students take to jumpstart their ideas?
As Nike would say, just do it! While it is important to sketch out your idea, don’t get weighed down by excessive preparation. Dive headfirst into your concept and enjoy the process of learning as you go. This stage of life provides plenty of opportunity for exploration, so seize the moment and give it your best. Remember that failure is merely a stepping stone toward success. Accept each setback as a useful lesson, and with patience, you will make new connections, gain essential knowledge, and eventually emerge stronger and wiser. Just do it!
MAGIC is a fiscal sponsor of Innovator of Progress and host of the STEP Challenge (formerly known as the MAGIC Hackathon). We are a proud supporter of black entrepreneurs, and you can read more about others in our community from our Black Business Month blog post here: https://magicinc.org/black-business-month
