Launching the Inaugural Goldwater IMPACT Club 'SIG Team 6' Cohort

Washington, D.C., March 5, 2024 – Goldwater Ventures responds to today’s pressing societal challenges by unveiling The Goldwater Innovative Minds Promoting Ambitious Cultural Transformation Club (IMPACT Club). This cutting-edge peer mentorship program stands as the firm’s flagship initiative to harness the innovative potential of early-career professionals who embody the firm’s core values, demonstrate dedication to public service, and exhibit creative entrepreneurship in generating solutions to social problems. Under the aegis of Goldwater’s Founder and President A. Prince Albert III, and under the programmatic direction of Caleb Peddie, the IMPACT Club marks a bold step in Goldwater Ventures building a community of individuals keen on driving meaningful transformation within the realms of technology, media, and cultural sustainability. 

The 2024 "SIG Team 6" cohort dedicates themselves to monthly 90-minute discussions that tackle various pressing societal issues, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. In collaboration with a selected cohort member, Albert will spearhead the monthly sessions that form the core of the Goldwater IMPACT Club's curriculum. Each module explores critical issues where technology intersects with social responsibility, a cornerstone of the firm's expertise. Throughout the year, members will co-author at least three Insight articles, contributing their insights to a wider conversation on social change. 

Topics will range from "Technology & Democracy" and "Navigating the New Digital Economy," to "Technology and Cultural Sustainability" and "AI, Entertainment, and Diasporic Artistry," extending to "Corporate Diplomacy," "Empowering Communities through Liberatory Design," and "Imagining Community (Urban Spaces).

Leadership and Vision

In the heart of Goldwater Ventures lies a commitment to catalyzing societal transformation through the power of collaboration. Founder A. Prince Albert III’s words vividly encapsulate the ethos behind the Goldwater IMPACT Club. Reflecting on his journey, Albert (C’∞) shares, “I was moved by the profound mentorship that paved my path into the policy arena — mentors who believed in me enough to stake their reputations on my potential, offering me opportunities that my resume did not yet justify, but my intellect, and my passion, and my talents undoubtedly did justify.”

Albert continued, “In its most impactful form, mentorship unfolds through shared action; it’s about doing, learning, and growing together. Though my years may slightly outnumber those in this cohort, our spirits match in intensity to deliver public service and marry it with private-sector solutions. Together, we stand ready to confront some of the most pressing challenges of our time.” Albert’s words underscore the essence of the IMPACT Club: a dynamic platform for peer mentorship, coequal learning, and coordinated action aimed at addressing critical societal issues through a blend of public service acuity and private-sector innovation.

Inaugural Cohort: Introducing SIG Team 6

The cohort within Goldwater Ventures is aptly named SIG 6, drawing inspiration from the precision and dedication of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6, revered by the President and CEO of Goldwater Ventures, a U.S. Navy veteran himself. This naming reflects the foundational principle of the "SIG Team 6" approach, which emphasizes the impact a small, committed group can have on driving transformative change within any organization. SIG, standing for Social Impact Group, encapsulates the essence of this approach by bringing together six respected and hard-working individuals who possess a unique synergy and dedication to their collective mission.

Goldwater Ventures has selected the following members for its inaugural 2024 IMPACT Club Cohort: Caleb Peddie, Charles Morrison, Cameron Benton, Kalif Robinson, and Jerome Smalls.

Caleb Peddie (C'∞)

Caleb Peddie is the Program Director of the inaugural Goldwater IMPACT Club. As Program Director, he assists with strategy and policy development of the Social Impact Group Team 6, including research, analysis, participation, and programming. Caleb concurrently serves as the External Relations Associate within the New York State Senate Majority Conference for Rochester’s districts 55 and 56, where he manages conference legislative priorities and seeks to foster partnerships between constituencies and current New York State Senate representatives. Before this, he interned on Capitol Hill, he has extensive experience supporting political campaigns for state and city candidates. Caleb holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at The University at Albany (SUNY). 

Albert stated, “Working alongside Caleb, our Program Director, has been an immense privilege. His dedication has enriched the IMPACT Club’s mission and also set a high benchmark of excellence. I am deeply grateful for his contributions to this organization and am proud to support him in making change.”

Charles E. Morrison (CF'24)

Charles E. Morrison is a 2022 Business Management graduate from Davis & Elkins College pursuing a Master’s in City and Regional Planning at Clemson University. Charles has interned in accounting, community engagement, finance, and budgeting, gaining comprehensive financial analysis and outreach program development skills. As the inaugural 2024 Goldwater IMPACT Fellow and a member of the Goldwater IMPACT Club’s first cohort, he excels in leadership and community service. Charles also contributes to the Cleo Bailey Project and has been a passionate MMA/NCAA wrestling athlete since 2019.

Please watch Charles' interview about his enduring passion for community building: https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/interview-with-inaugural-goldwater-impact-fellow.

Cameron J. Benton Esq., CIPP/US (C'24)

Cameron J. Benton Esq., CIPP/US, a 2023 North Carolina Central University School of Law graduate with cum laude honors, is part of the inaugural cohort to earn the Intel-sponsored technology certificate. As a meticulous legal professional proficient in intellectual property, A.I. policy, and data privacy compliance, he excels in advising on diverse technology transactions. Beyond his legal acumen, Cameron demonstrates his commitment to humanity by actively volunteering in literacy and mentorship programs for disadvantaged children. His life goal is to foster equity in the digital revolution, ensuring fair representation and consideration for historically marginalized groups who rely on their data.

Kalif Robinson (C'24)

Kalif Robinson is an international affairs professional who excels in leadership, team building, mentorship, and national security. He completed his bachelor’s degree in economics at Georgia State University and his Master’s at Georgetown University’s MSFS program. Kalif has worked on public diplomacy and education initiatives in South Africa and is currently a U.S. Diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola, where he protects the lives and serves the interests of U.S. citizens abroad and helps foreign nationals connect with the United States by issuing visas to qualified visitors, workers, and immigrants. Before Luanda, Kalif also served as a diplomat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Jerome D. Smalls (C'24)

Jerome D. Smalls is a visionary and strategist from Charleston, SC who believes in the limitless power of human-centered design and storytelling, which are motifs represented by his bachelor’s in marketing and master’s in educational transformation from Georgetown University. This explains why his entire career thus far has consisted of him launching innovative and disruptive initiatives: from starting a company committed to centering the stories of youth, to establishing a nationwide networked learning community of high school educators, to developing a nuanced relationship between Charleston’s Police Department and the community it serves. Jerome believes, “Everything in our society was once a figment of someone’s imagination, and therefore, any aspect of it can be reimagined.”

Building ‘IMPACT’ Together

“I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of our inaugural members at the Goldwater IMPACT Club. Their professional and personal achievements not only leapfrog many of their seniors but also exemplify an enduring spirit of dedication to social good and a restless innovation we cherish. Their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives enrich our collective endeavor, setting a solid foundation for the ambitious cultural change we aspire to create together. Witnessing their growth and impact fills me with optimism about the future we are building, one innovative solution at a time,” shared Albert III.

Goldwater Ventures commits to bringing these generative ideas to a broader audience, showcasing the team’s work on our website. The firm invites you to stay tuned for SIG Team 6’s groundbreaking ideas in our website’s ‘Insights’ tab, highlighting its ongoing mission to foster a community of change-makers. The Goldwater IMPACT Club exemplifies innovative minds coming together to promote ambitious cultural transformation in a world needing positive change.

The launch of the Goldwater IMPACT Club’s inaugural cohort marks a significant milestone in Goldwater Ventures’ journey towards creating a thriving ecosystem of social-good entities. It embodies the firm’s vision of a future where mission-driven organizations and individuals collaboratively address and solve the world’s most pressing challenges in sustainable ways.

Citation

Goldwater Ventures, Launching the Inaugural Goldwater IMPACT Club 'SIG Team 6' Cohort (Mar. 4, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/launching-the-inaugural-goldwater-impact-club.

References

Goldwater IMPACT Club Landing Page: https://www.goldwaterventures.info/outreach.

A. Prince Albert III, The 'SIG Team 6 Principle, Goldwater Ventures (Jan. 17, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/the-sig-team-6-principle.

Goldwater Ventures, Interview with Inaugural Goldwater IMPACT Fellow (Feb. 21, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/interview-with-inaugural-goldwater-impact-fellow.