Building a Green Space for Youth with Ted Gloster of The Forgin Initiative

Ep #120 — Building a Green Space for Youth with Ted Gloster of The Forgin InitiativePart of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series 🖤What happens when you come home during a pandemic and realize the community that raised you is stuck in survival mode?Ted Gloster left Detroit's District 2 in 2018 and came back during the pandemic — and instead of leaving again, he built The Forgin Initiative, a green space and after-school program teaching young people economic literacy, civic engagement, and emotional intelligence. This is a conversation about healing yourself before you can lead anyone else, and what it actually takes to build something from nothing.What We Talk AboutWhy coming home during the pandemic forced Ted to confront generational poverty, financial illiteracy, and a disconnect from ancestral history in his own communityHow he built the Forgin Initiative from a 2017 idea into a physical green space and after-school program with three pillars: economic literacy, civic engagement, and emotional intelligenceThe unexpected turn: Ted's raw account of the personal breakdown that led him to therapy, prayer, and healing — and why he believes leaders can't pour into a community without doing that inner work firstIf you love origin stories that don't skip the scary parts, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:07 - Introduction to Black Business Month04:35 - Understanding Community and Identity13:10 - Healing and Growth: A Journey to Self-Discovery25:01 - Challenges of Building Community Programs33:40 - Understanding Leadership and Community BuildingAll about Ted GlosterTed is our new best friend(he never confirmed this though LOL) he's a multidisciplinary entrepreneur: investor, lifestyle brand designer, mentor, and opportunity economist, among other things. He's in year three of running The Forgin Initiative, and what sets the program apart isn't just its diverse, hands-on approach to teaching economics — it's that it stays youth-led, holding both the organization and the young people it serves accountable to that principle.Things We MentionedThe Forgin Initiative — theforgin.org (application for fall after-school programming opening soon)The Forgin Neighborhood Coalition green space — 15720 Alden St, Detroit, MI 48238Sevir — Ted's clothing brandThis series is supported by Off the Grid, a podcast + resource for small business owners who want to leave social media without losing their clients. Find them at offthegrid.fun 🖤Connect with Ted GlosterIG: @theforgininitiative or @theforgin_ncWebsite: theforgin.orgStay Connected📬 Get the noseyAF Dispatch → Subscribe here🏡 Grab the Good Neighbor Playbook → Download it freeMore ways to connectEmail: [email protected] on IG: @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodes: noseyaf.comSupport & FeedbacknoseyAF is listener-supported; thank you for being here. 💛🫶🏾⭐ Rate & Review the Show📣 Share noseyAF with a friend who needs to hear thisEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by Stephanie GrahamLyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam FamCover Art: Emma McGoldrick