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Empowering Inclusive Entrepreneurship at Kiva Rochester
Kiva exists because they believe that "dreams are universal, but opportunity is not." They created a system of character-based underwriting to provide zero interest loans of up to $10,000 for entrepreneurs whose incomes and credit scores prevent them from accessing traditional loans. In the three years since Rochester opened its own Kiva office, there have been 82 loans totaling $423,500. Borrowers have an average credit score of 575 and median income of $35,000. Further, 1/2 of those loans have been to women and 3/4 have been to people of color. Tune in to this episode to hear how Kiva Rochester is building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, the inspiring stories of two current borrowers and their perspective on how to create more inclusive prosperity in Rochester.
Amy Ventura is the Director of the Kiva Rochester program, where they are building a more inclusive and equitable economy in Rochester by connecting entrepreneurs with 0% interest microloans.
She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus, a board member of Rochester Young Professionals and RocCity Coalition and Co-founder of the Roc IDEA Connection (Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Action), which hosts monthly workshops for Rochester's future leaders on community change-making through a racial equity lens. Amy is also pursuing a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Shappelle Thompson wanted to give better voice to voiceless and created OpenMic Rochester to fill a void when he felt that mainstream news outlets weren’t fully covering certain issues, concerns and problems in the community. Shappelle is committed to fact-based journalism that always seeks to get to uncover the truth, but OpenMic is not here to just tell the news. They're here to grow and better the Rochester community using information to properly empower and engage residents. Rochester is transitioning quickly but its future won’t include everyone without proper information and action.
Rosa Marie Curtis began educating small children when she was just 10 years old, under the apprenticeship of her Grandmother who successfully operated a warm, loving, family-focused child care center for 30+ years. Rosa knew from a very early age, that she wanted to continue in her grandmother’s footsteps. Noting a gap in services for those in poverty, working overnight shifts or in need of last minute child care, and unable to find an organization that embodied her Grandma’s strength, virtue or wisdom, Rosa created Marvelous Mind Academy.
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By Andrew Brady
4.8
1010 ratings
Kiva exists because they believe that "dreams are universal, but opportunity is not." They created a system of character-based underwriting to provide zero interest loans of up to $10,000 for entrepreneurs whose incomes and credit scores prevent them from accessing traditional loans. In the three years since Rochester opened its own Kiva office, there have been 82 loans totaling $423,500. Borrowers have an average credit score of 575 and median income of $35,000. Further, 1/2 of those loans have been to women and 3/4 have been to people of color. Tune in to this episode to hear how Kiva Rochester is building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, the inspiring stories of two current borrowers and their perspective on how to create more inclusive prosperity in Rochester.
Amy Ventura is the Director of the Kiva Rochester program, where they are building a more inclusive and equitable economy in Rochester by connecting entrepreneurs with 0% interest microloans.
She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus, a board member of Rochester Young Professionals and RocCity Coalition and Co-founder of the Roc IDEA Connection (Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Action), which hosts monthly workshops for Rochester's future leaders on community change-making through a racial equity lens. Amy is also pursuing a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Shappelle Thompson wanted to give better voice to voiceless and created OpenMic Rochester to fill a void when he felt that mainstream news outlets weren’t fully covering certain issues, concerns and problems in the community. Shappelle is committed to fact-based journalism that always seeks to get to uncover the truth, but OpenMic is not here to just tell the news. They're here to grow and better the Rochester community using information to properly empower and engage residents. Rochester is transitioning quickly but its future won’t include everyone without proper information and action.
Rosa Marie Curtis began educating small children when she was just 10 years old, under the apprenticeship of her Grandmother who successfully operated a warm, loving, family-focused child care center for 30+ years. Rosa knew from a very early age, that she wanted to continue in her grandmother’s footsteps. Noting a gap in services for those in poverty, working overnight shifts or in need of last minute child care, and unable to find an organization that embodied her Grandma’s strength, virtue or wisdom, Rosa created Marvelous Mind Academy.