Social Enterprise , Artisanship & Asset-Based Disruption
There is a burgeoning interest in social innovation, social enterprise, and conscious capitalism. In an era of increasing income inequality, individuals, families, communities, and organizations are all seeking creative new pathways to stability and self-sufficiency.
There are emerging niche economic ecosystems ranging from "artisanal" soap to mittens to pickles. At the same time, many diverse communities have long-standing traditions of artisanship, curation, and craftsmanship. Yet they may be disconnected from entrepreneurship resources and "Social Innovation" stakeholders. How do we build bridges across these silos? How can we connect community talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills to available resources? Join us for a panel discussion exploring Chicago-area successes, challenges, and opportunities for social enterprises and small businesses based on community artisanship. |
Please join us
for a panel discussion exploring Chicago-area successes, challenges, and opportunities for social enterprises and small businesses based on community artisanship. The discussion will be followed by a Q & A session and small breakout groups.
Date :: November 6
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LocationHamdard Center
1542 W Devon Ave Chicago, IL 60660 |
Meet the Panelists
Kulsum Ameji is the founder of Project Prospera, an interdisciiplinary collective of attorneys, artists, designers, and technologists co-collaborating for the commong good. She has over fifteen years of experience working with low income communities including immigrants and refugees from around the world. She is the co-founder of the Economic Justice Working Group, a group linking economic empowerment, legal remedies, social service, legal services, and financial advocacy organizations. Kulsum is the recipient of multiple awards and fellowships, including the Chicago Foundation for Women's Impact Award, the Community Renewal Society's 35 Under 35 Nonprofit Leaders Award, the KANWIN Community Changemaker Award, the Illinois Legal Aid Online advocate recognition, the Urban Justice Center's Human Rights Institute Fellowship, the NYU Wagner School of Policy's Lead the Way nonprofit leadership fellowship, and others. She is an advocate, attorney, sought after speaker, trainer, and systems-thinker.
Nathalie Rosado is the Associate Director of Latina Programs at the Women’s Business Development Center. In this role, she serves as a small business counselor and specializes in helping Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in all aspects of business development, including finance, operations, strategy, and access to capital. Prior to the WBDC, Ms. Rosado was the Financial Literacy Program Manager at Ladder Up, a non-profit dedicated to providing free financial services for low-income families. In this position, she worked with low-income individuals and families to provide them with tax preparation services, ITIN application assistance, financial education workshops, and credit counseling in order to help them achieve financial stability. Ms. Rosado developed a passion for helping women achieve economic stability during her year of service with the Legal Assistance Foundation through AmeriCorps, where she coordinated economic empowerment workshops and resources for immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Katherine Bissell Cordova came on board as Executive Director of Chicago Fair Trade in June of 2014, bringing with her over twenty years of commitment to social justice, working for human rights, immigrant rights, and worker rights organizations. Katherine first became involved with Chicago Fair Trade as a business member when she helped open Greenheart Shop. Prior to that, Katherine served as the Executive Director of ARISE Chicago, an organization that partners with low-wage immigrant workers as they organize for improvements in the workplace. Katherine served field director of GreenWood Alliance and opened their office in Honduras. She served as a member of Peace Brigades International in Guatemala, defending human rights activists. She worked as case management supervisor at the Marjorie Kovler Center for the Treatment of Survivors for Torture and as an Immigration Representative at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago.
Katherine has completed several trainings including Axelson Center’s Executive Director Boot Camp, the Non-Profit Financial Management Center’s Training, Chicago Conservation Corps Leadership Training, the Executive Service Corps Interim Executive Director’s Training, Community Media Workshop Boot Camp, and Midwest Academy’s Community Organizers Training. She served for four years on the Executive Committee of the Marjorie Kovler Center for Treatment of Survivors of Torture and was recipient of Casa Guatemala’s Human Rights Award. Katherine is fluent in Spanish.
Katherine has completed several trainings including Axelson Center’s Executive Director Boot Camp, the Non-Profit Financial Management Center’s Training, Chicago Conservation Corps Leadership Training, the Executive Service Corps Interim Executive Director’s Training, Community Media Workshop Boot Camp, and Midwest Academy’s Community Organizers Training. She served for four years on the Executive Committee of the Marjorie Kovler Center for Treatment of Survivors of Torture and was recipient of Casa Guatemala’s Human Rights Award. Katherine is fluent in Spanish.
Beth Kregor is the Director of the IJ Clinic. Under Beth’s guidance, University of Chicago law students take their first steps into the practice of law by providing legal advice to lower income entrepreneurs. Beth is passionate about her clients and her causes. She has advised restaurants, moving companies, and babysitting agencies as they navigate regulatory mazes. She has counseled a creative character factory, a lawn care business, and a carpenter on their most vital plans and contracts. And she has become a prominent spokesperson for low-income entrepreneurs in City Hall, Springfield, and beyond. She has published a study and scholarship that have set the agenda for reform of licensing laws in Illinois. And she has been the spokesperson for entrepreneurs who do not normally have a lobbyist working for them in the room – the poor and the yet-to-come. She has especially focused on street food, with a passion for good tamales and hardworking vendors. Don’t get her started!
Beth came to the IJ Clinic from the law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, where she practiced for several years with a specialty in intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining Sidley, she clerked for the Honorable Bruce M. Selya on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Beth received her J.D. magna cum laude from University of Michigan Law School in 1999. During her time at Michigan, she served as Managing Editor of the Michigan Law Review and interned in the General Counsel's office of the Guggenheim Museum. As an undergraduate, Beth studied Comparative Literature at Yale University, graduating magna cum laude in 1996.
Beth came to the IJ Clinic from the law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, where she practiced for several years with a specialty in intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining Sidley, she clerked for the Honorable Bruce M. Selya on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Beth received her J.D. magna cum laude from University of Michigan Law School in 1999. During her time at Michigan, she served as Managing Editor of the Michigan Law Review and interned in the General Counsel's office of the Guggenheim Museum. As an undergraduate, Beth studied Comparative Literature at Yale University, graduating magna cum laude in 1996.
Alejandra joined Accion Chicago in May, 2013. She holds a B.A in Economics and International Studies from Loras College, and a M.B.A in Accounting from North Park University where she graduated with honors. Alejandra’s interest in Microfinance came through her thesis in microfinance institutions as facilitators of transnational credit, as well as research in her home town’s Grameen Bank initiatives.
As part of her job, Alejandra provides financing and works closely with small business owners coaching them on ways to improve the way to run their businesses, conducts financial literacy workshops, and works with partners to find resources for her clients. She is originally from Bogota, Colombia and is fluent in Spanish and English.
As part of her job, Alejandra provides financing and works closely with small business owners coaching them on ways to improve the way to run their businesses, conducts financial literacy workshops, and works with partners to find resources for her clients. She is originally from Bogota, Colombia and is fluent in Spanish and English.
Tigrist Reda is the owner of Demera Ethiopian Restaurant and a shining example of a successful African immigrant woman, entrepreneur and restaurateur who is living out her dreams. She is an active member of her community and encourages growth in refugees and immigrants, but especially in women. She believes that together, we can tackle the obstacles thrown at newcomers and achieve the dreams sought after when beginning to build a life outside of our homeland.
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