Investing Together to Build from Within

How funding micro-businesses and entrepreneurs of color may be the key to recovery and inclusive economic growth

Authors

  • Jill Fink The Merchants Fund
  • Peter Gonzales The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians

Keywords:

small business, micro business, immigrant business, philanthropy, buy local, covid-19, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, merchant, economic growth, economic recovery, job creation, immigrant

Abstract

Jill Fink and Peter Gonzalez present why small, independent businesses are so vital to our communities, what’s at stake -- both economically and socially -- when nearly 25% of them are at risk of closing their doors forever, and offer a proven model that relies on collaboration and establishes an approach to economic development that builds on the assets and determination of residents to increase their own wealth and rebuild their neighborhoods from within. They remind us that we all have the ability to effect change - whether as consumers or through our professional work -- and that now is the time to act.

Author Biographies

Jill Fink, The Merchants Fund

Jill has been an agent for social change throughout her career. She has a background in non-profit leadership, higher education, and social impact entrepreneurship, always aligning her work with her values and a higher purpose. Jill owned Mugshots Coffeehouse, a founding B-Corp, for 13 years. She credits her experience as an entrepreneur with her ability to serve small business owners effectively and with empathy at The Merchants Fund, where she has served as Executive Director since 2018. She is an appointed member of the Mayor’s Food Policy Advisory Council and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House with her dog and sidekick, Josie.

Peter Gonzales, The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians

As President and CEO of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians since 2012, Peter actively promotes the inclusion of immigrants of all skill and education levels in the economic growth of our region. He spent several years directing the revitalization of a commercial corridor in lower north Philadelphia for Project H.O.M.E. and then managed an immigration law practice before coming to the Welcoming Center. Peter served on the transition teams of Mayor Kenney and Governor Wolf and currently serves on the boards of Philadelphia Works, Inc., the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, the Douty Foundation and The Merchants Fund.

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Published

2020-07-08

How to Cite

Fink, J., & Gonzales, P. (2020). Investing Together to Build from Within: How funding micro-businesses and entrepreneurs of color may be the key to recovery and inclusive economic growth. Social Innovations Journal, 2(2). Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/349

Issue

Vol. 2 (2020): Social Mobility: Inspiring and Building the Capacity of Local Change Agents to Impact Poverty

Section

Social Justice and Social Mobility

Categories

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