July Crowdfunding Project of the month is hosted on IndieGoGo, this is without question one of the most professionally coordinated crowdfunding campaigns we have come across. Complimented by a very worthy cause. Lets help them reach their goal.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Vision for Economic Empowerment Inspires Entrepreneurs and Minority-Owned Businesses as 50th Anniversary of March on Washington Nears
The fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom this upcoming August has already created buzz amongst various organizations, many of which are planning their own celebrations, fundraisers and other events. This milestone has brought to light the aspect of Dr. King’s “dream” still waiting to be fully realized: economic empowerment for all Americans.
The beginning of the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and ‘60s focused on securing basic freedoms for disenfranchised populations, such as minorities and women. Although many of these fundamental rights have been secured, the effects of a country founded in part on inequality still remain, though they may not be as obvious to some. Real-world data illustrates this issue perfectly: young African-Americans are facing a startling 43.1 percent unemployment rate, black households had just $4,955 in average wealth in the year 2010, and women still earn far less than their male counterparts in the workplace.
A widening wealth gap and access to capital disproportionately affect minority groups, and are critical issues for the 21st century movement begun by Dr. King. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and they need investment capital in order to grow and create the majority of new jobs in this country. Leaders in the modern civil rights movement are increasingly turning their attention to addressing the root causes of this economic inequality – perhaps more appropriately termed the inequality of economic opportunity. Access to capital, which the Minority Business Development Agency cites as being the most important factor limiting the establishment, expansion and growth of minority-owned businesses, is one such critical issue.
Minority-owned firms are more likely to be denied traditional loans with loan denial rates for minority firms being about three times higher compared to non-minority-owned firms grossing under $500,000 in receipts (Minority Business Development Agency). Democratizing—and thereby “emancipating”—access to capital is critical to enabling entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses to succeed.
With this in mind, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Poverty Institute – the leading organization still working to keep Dr. King’s dream alive for citizens throughout the world—has partnered with the Kingonomics Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Investment Initiative, to organize the Emancipation of Capital Gala on August 22, 2013 to honor innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors that have “emancipated” and transformed their respective industries and ecosystems. This gala will benefit initiatives that address poverty and the wealth gap.
The following day, August 23, the Kingonomics Conference and Bootcamps , will bring together experts in innovation, entrepreneurialism and crowdfunding from all over the world to train minority business owners, start-ups, investors, youth entrepreneurs and veterans on how to access capital, invest and obtain personal and business wealth. The Kingonomics Curriculum is divided into four tracks: Start.Up (for entrepreneurs and business owners); Invest.Up (for investors); Sprout.Up (for youth and young adults) and Expose.Up (Raising money through Crowdfunding).This conference will be an intense and interactive learning experience.
Kingonomics Founder, Dr. Rodney Sampson, has been appointed as the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for ABC’s Shark Tank – becoming the first person to be appointed to this role. As part of his new role, Dr. Sampson’s first initiative will be to identify and attract more minority entrepreneurs and women small business owners to appear on ABC’s Shark Tank, holding an open casting call during the Kingonomics Entrepreneurship & Investment Conference. All Kingonomics conference registrants will receive priority consideration for a chance to be a part of this casting call.
You are cordially invited to attend these two powerful events in Washington D.C. during the 50th anniversary March on Washington. For more information on these events, visit http://www.mlk50mow.com. For a chance to win free tickets to Kingonomics and receive priority pitching to ABC’s hit TV show, Shark Tank, .
Dr. Rodney Sampson is a serial entrepreneur, author of Kingonomics, a twenty-first century interpretation of Dr. King’s economic vision, the founder of the Kingonomics Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Investment Initiative and a Diversity & Inclusion Advisor to ABC’s entrepreneurial show Shark Tank. Rodney is currently organizing the Emancipation of Capital Gala and Kingonomics Conference for disadvantaged youth and veterans during the upcoming 50th March on Washington anniversary.
