Telling Your Story of Microfinance From a Bike
By Elizabeth Garlow and Erica Dorn
Boston riders stop for a water break
As a “ACCIONistas” (what we ACCION employees call ourselves) we were incredibly proud to don the green “MicroBike: Pedal Against Poverty” t-shirt last Sunday along with 40 of our colleagues, friends, family, and supporters. This was the second year that ACCION USA participated in “Microbike”, but the first year for our ACCION USA New York team– and was important because it symbolizes the bond between ACCION International and ACCION USA, a relationship that’s been around since AUSA launched in 1991.
In New York, two teams enjoyed a delicious breakfast at ACCION USA client restaurants in Brooklyn and Manhattan before heading to the finish line at City Hall (read on to learn about the jungle that we rode through!). In Boston, an ACCION team rode the scenic Emerald Necklace, stopping for a water break at ACCION USA client business City Feed & Supply. Check out our photos on Facebook to see how much fun we were all having!
A huge thank you to our event sponsors for adding many special touches to the event, including raffle items from Ride Brooklyn NY (great local entrepreneurs!), front and back lights from the DOTC (Make sure to check out their bike safety programs!), and back light and other goodies from Bike New York.
ACCION USA New York team in NYC
We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout at Microbike NYC 2010. ACCION USA is proud to be listed as the #1 fundraising team so far with its 3 combined teams having raised almost $10,000 (we reached our goal!)—fundraising for microbike continues through December 31st 2010. Consider creating your own microbike team and route or make a donation to the ACCION-NY team at www.microbike.org – please know that your support brings much needed funding allowing ACCION USA and ACCION International to continue improving and expanding microfinance services to disadvantaged individuals around the world.
We are so excited for next year’s ride. Pump up your tires and dust off your helmet – it will be here before we know it!
Tags: Elizabeth Garlow, erica dorn
Top Four Reasons Why I’m Going To SOCAP 09
I can think of over a hundred reasons to attend the SOCAP conference in San Francisco September 1-3, 2009.
What is SOCAP 09?
SOCAP (Social Capital Markets) “brings together a unique mix of the world’s top social innovators, investors, donors, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders, today’s leading catalysts of change from across the globe. [to] celebrate the renewed will and determination of these pioneers investing for social impact.”
The top four reasons why I’m attending…
- YOLA.com ACCION USA is partnering with Yola.com, a company that provides free web building and hosting tools. We are excited to bring technology and marketing tools to the microentrepreneurs that we serve. SOCAP is a chance to discuss this exciting new partnership.
- KIVA.org ACCION USA is in its third month of its pioneering partnership with Kiva.org, which speaks to the innovation that ACCION USA is bringing to the domestic microfinance industry. As the former Kiva fellow and current Kiva coordinator at ACCION USA, I am excited to hear Premal Shah speak about the future of social innovation on the web and Chelsa Bocci discuss Kiva’s community outreach initiatives.
- Sonal Shah from the White House’s office on Social Innovation is the keynote speaker and will be addressing the government’s new socially minded strategy to “effectively streamline government towards investing in what works.” This one speaks for itself.
- Day 3 Keynote: “An aspirational look at the future of our economy and society at large. Focusing on lessons learned outside of western society and the holistic nature of blended value ventures.” Bringing blended values to socially minded business sounds like a song to me and is a perspective that deserves considerable discussion.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage and learn from the list of over 100 speakers on panel discussions ranging from “Social Media That Moves People to Action” to “Alternative Financial Services for the Unbanked.” Check out the complete list. I look forward to my return to NYC after the conference as ACCION USA continues to expand and grow, generating innovative ideas and continuing to provide fresh products and services to our clients.
Tags: accion usa, chelsa bocci, erica dorn, kiva, premal shah, SOCAP 09
A Mainstreet Microfinance Mission
On one of my very first missions as a Kiva Fellow, I wandered through a maze of food cart vendors searching for a borrower. A newbie to the profession, I thought his address would be enough to locate him to take a the photo needed for his profile. As anyone who has ever tried to find anything in a developing country, region, or neighborhood will tell you, I needed much more than just an address. I was surrounded by food carts in all directions, slinging everything from fruit and pretzels to dumplings and falafel. Where was I? Not in India, or Kenya, or Guatemala. No, I was in downtown Manhattan.
As a Kiva Fellow for ACCION USA, I learned that New York borrowers were more similar to international borrowers than not. If 75% of ACCION USA’s borrowers are immigrants, it’s even possible that some of them could have been microloan borrowers in their home country before applying at ACCION USA!
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary aspects of ACCION USA’s jump into the person-to-person lending market is just that: the divide between Kiva lenders and borrowers has grown much smaller. As one Kiva/ACCION USA lender recently conveyed to me, her son was inspired by Ray’s business in Atlanta. Her son receives his allowance in Kiva cash, and he is an avid lender. Seeing a successful small business being built closer to home has inspired him, and has made the other business he sees around the world that much more real and respected.
My last attempt to contact the elusive food cart borrower landed me at a hot dog cart smack dab in the spot where my guy had been 10 minutes prior. I decided to strike up conversation with his replacement.
“So where are you from?” I asked.
“Bangladesh,” he said- sounded like music to my ears. I bought the quintessential NYC treat from him, as we chatted about Muhammad Yunus and the American dream. We both concluded that New York City is an incredible and magical city. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my Kiva mission – to learn that microentrepreneurs here in the U.S. are as inspiring and resourceful as those in the developing world.
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Erica Dorn served as Kiva’s first domestic Fellow, she now coordinates the Kiva program at ACCION USA. Learn more about Erica’s U.S. microlending adventures at Vimeo.
Tags: accion, accion usa, erica dorn, kiva, kiva.org, microfinance, Muhammad Yunus, us microfinance, Yunus
Looking for Some Inspiration?
If you need some energy or inspiration I can recommend one women who may provide that- Congresswomen Nydia Velasquez. She is a fierce and energetic woman who is completely dedicated to supporting small businesses.
This week at Brooklyn Borough Hall Velasquez opened a panel discussion about the current economic stimulus package and what has been implemented to help small business in America. The panel included CFO Paul Quintero of ACCION USA.
Quintero spoke warmly about AUSA’s commitment to its communities and the importance of collaboration within the industry. Velasquez resounded with extreme vigor and honesty about the role of government in helping small businesses. She talked about the importance of supporting institutions like AUSA, before leaving to attend a similar rally in Manhattan.
After the panel spoke, there was a short discussion and later entrepreneurs from diverse industries mingled to share ideas and learn more. I watched as Glamis Haro, an AUSA loan consultant representing Brooklyn listened to the challenges, hopes, and concerns of each individual and spoke wholeheartedly to them about their options for attaining capital through ACCION USA.
As I was leaving, in walked Velasquez again! She had finished her delivery at the other small business rally and was anxious to be in the crowd talking to entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. A young woman came running to give her a warm embrace and many other entrepreneurs gathered as the congresswomen lent an open ear. Velasquez, along with AUSA, understands that by supporting small businesses you are supporting something much larger.
Check out the video to see both the commitment and dedication conveyed by Velasquez and Quintero.
ACCION USA and Nydia Velasquez from Erica Dorn on Vimeo.
Tags: accio nyc, accion, accion usa, erica dorn, microfinance, microloans, nydia velasquez, paul quintero, small business, us microfinance