 |
| New Orleans Urban Entrepreneurship Forum July 20, 2011 at Xavier University |
Our team here in the Mayor's office got word from the White House less than two weeks ago that they wanted to do this event here. So its been stressful past few days but well worth it. We had over 300 residents register and 8 candidates compete for $10,000 in the live 60 second PITCH event done by 100 Urban Entrepreneurs.
Our Forum began with a conversation between Mayor Landrieu and Michael Blake, Deputy Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Throughout the day we had three keynote addresses by John Hope Bryant, Deborah Elam, Vice President of Diversity from GE (and my sorority sister), and New Orleanian, Calvin Mackie in addition to the three panel discussion and breakout sessions.
Overall, I felt this to be a very inspiring event. Considering the challenges our country still faces with the economic downturn, this renewed entrepreneurial spirit provides the type of energy we need to build companies that will create and sustain jobs. I think that there has definitely been a level of hesitation when it comes to investing in an urban entrepreneur. For whatever the reasons, inner city business owners have lacked the ability to access capital and supports to take their mom and pop companies and turn them into high growth potential firms.
Listening to the business ideas for the selected businesses who participated in the live PITCH, its evident that there is no lack of talent here in New Orleans. Tying this back to the Office of Supplier Diversity and my internship, I see a real value to help build the capacity of these entrepreneurs through city contracting opportunities.
No comments:
Post a Comment