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Video: Launching Low-Income Entrepreneurs

Event - May 2014

Video: Launching Low-Income Entrepreneurs

At a time when so many of the new jobs being created in today's economy offer low wages and limited opportunity for economic mobility, the Center for an Urban Future's May 16, 2014 symposium explored entrepreneurship as one route for low-income New Yorkers to achieve economic self-sufficiency and potential strategies for city and state government, the private sector and nonprofit organizations to expand the number of low-income entrepreneurs in the five boroughs.

Tags: economic growth economic opportunity entrepreneurship low income human capital boroughs

At a time when so many of the new jobs being created in today's economy offer low wages and limited opportunity for economic mobility, our May 2014 symposium explored entrepreneurship as one route for low-income New Yorkers to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

As the Center for an Urban Future documented in our 2013 Launching Low Income Entrepreneurs report, relatively few low-income, native-born New Yorkers are currently taking this route to economic self-sufficiency. Yet, there is enormous potential to expand the number of low-income entrepreneurs in New York. While relatively few low-income minorities are starting formal businesses, there is no lack of entrepreneurial spirit or creativity among the native-born poor, with numerous low-income residents earning income through informal “side-hustles.” Our high-profile forum will delved into the obstacles that prevent many low-income residents from even considering entrepreneurship and discussed potential strategies for city government, the private sector and nonprofit organizations to expand the number of low-income entrepreneurs in the five boroughs.

Click here (PDF) to download symposium materials including agenda, bios and other handouts.

This conference was made possible through generous support from
Capital One Bank

Welcome Remarks

  • Gifford Miller, Board Chairman, Center for an Urban Future
  • Daniel Delehanty, Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking, Capital One Bank
  • Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future

 

 

 

Panel 1: Entrepreneurship as a Pathway out of Poverty for Low-Income New Yorkers

  • Moderator: Errol Louis, Political Anchor, NY1 News
  • Aisha Benson, Managing Director, TruFund Financial Services, Inc.
  • Terry Bowman, Executive Director, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship – New York
  • Jennifer DaSilva, Founder and Executive Director, Start Small Think Big
  • Bennie Edgerson, Founder and Owner, Bennie Daye Services, Inc.

 

 

 

Panel 2: Strategies to Expand Low-Income Entrepreneurship in New York City

  • Moderator: Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future
  • Steve Cohen, Executive Vice President and Deputy Commissioner, Empire State Development
  • Daniel Delehanty, Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking, Capital One Bank
  • Connie Evans, President and CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity
  • Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services