Small businesses benefit owners, workers, and communities through wealth creation, employment, and amenities. However, decades of inequities in access to capital and other resources have disadvantaged Latino and other entrepreneurs of color and placed their businesses and livelihoods at greater risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, community-based organizations serving low-wealth entrepreneurs have been working on the front lines to support these small business owners before and during the crisis.

Join the Urban Institute for a discussion about how community-based organizations help level the playing field for underserved Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs and advance equitable development for their neighborhoods. During this event, speakers will present highlights from a new Urban Institute research report, Supporting Latino and Immigrant Entrepreneurs in a Time of Crisis. They will also discuss what roles local governments and philanthropy could play to create more equitable and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems and what policy agendas could be pursued.

Speakers

• Jorge González, Research Analyst, Urban Institute
• Aldo Medina, Mercado Programs Director, Hacienda CDC
• Katherine Sundt, Development Associate, La Cocina
• Storm Taliaferrow, Senior Program Manager, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders
• Brett Theodos, Senior Fellow and Director of the Community Economic Development Hub, Urban Institute (moderator)

Event Materials

• Speaker Biographies 

Funding for this event was provided by the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders. For more on Urban’s funding policies, go to urban.org/fundingprinciples.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event.