Quarterly Conversations

• CLOSINGtheGAP: The Power of Inclusive Entrepreneurship - December 6, 2018

  
  
  
  
  

  CLOSINGtheGAP: The Power of Inclusive Entrepreneurship

  How can your community create opportunities for aspiring business owners, regardless of background, ambitions, or location? Investing in an equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem goes beyond job creation. Entrepreneurship offers individuals and families the ability to achieve economic independence and lift the community around them.

  Last spring, our 2018 Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit focused on creating economic growth through entrepreneurship in urban and rural communities. On Dec. 6, we will continue the conversation with three SourceLink network builders who will share programs and strategies for empowering women and minority entrepreneurs.

  Please join us for our next Quarterly Conversation, an exclusive benefit for Sourcelink affiliate members!

  Thursday, December 6, 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. Central Time

   Featured Speakers:
  
  

  Caron Washington
  Director, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, National Urban League, New York, New York
  Caron Washington oversees the National Urban League’s 12 affiliate Signature Entrepreneurship Center Programs that provide leadership and skill training to minority entrepreneurs to start or grow businesses, win contracts and create jobs and wealth in their communities.
  
  
  

   

  Vanessa Roanhorse
  CEO, Roanhorse Consulting, Albuquerque, NM
  Vanessa Roanhorse is a fierce advocate for Native-American women entrepreneurs and business leaders. Two-and-a-half years ago, she launched Roanhorse Consulting, LLC, to encourage economic empowerment from within Native America. Vanessa is a co-founder of Native Women Lead, an organization creating an inclusive pathway for native women entrepreneurs. 
  
  
  

  

  Michael Carmona
  

  Director, Community and Business Development Hispanic Economic Development Corp., Kansas City, MO
  Michael Carmona oversees HEDC’s Business Development Program and oversees projects including the Westside Equitable Neighborhood Development Initiative, to identify and develop community building resources and creating a Community Improvement District along Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City. 
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• EDA Funding Opportunities - September 12, 2018

  

  Join our SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation as we welcome Mark Werthmann, U.S. Economic Development Administration Representative, who will share funding opportunities for your network including:

  • Public Works (construction)
  • Planning and Technical Assistance
  • Economic Adjustment
  • Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS)
  • University Centers

  Learn insider best practices on how to construct a successful application with tips on what you should do (and not do!). Mark will share several examples of winning grant applications and those that were rejected.

  Wednesday, September 12, 12:00 Noon-1:00pm Central Time

  Mark Werthmann

  For more than ten years, Mark has been a tremendously valuable resource to communities, helping them to understand how to access and apply for resources from the EDA to accelerate economic development efforts. He comes from the economic development industry and understands the opportunity and challenges many of us face- having held positions with state and local government and non-profit development sectors. He earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).

  About the EDA

  As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides financial assistance to communities and organizations so they can encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.