On Thursday June 8 th, members of ECDC Enterprise Development Group (EDG), Net Impact, Women Advancing Microfinance (WAM), and Making Cents International, joined together to host a Happy Hour & Panel entitled “Microfinance in the U.S. and the Immigrant Banking Experience.” It was hosted by the Warehouse Theater across from the new Convention Center in Washington, DC. The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of BB&T bank..
The panel was moderated by Fiona Macaulay, Founder and President of Making Cents International, a consulting firm that specializes in business development training. Drew Tulchin, Director of ECDC Enterprise Development Group - the DC metro area’s largest microfinance provider – represented the perspective of a US microfinance institution. Kevin Kelly, Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national US microfinance network, brought a macro perspective on the industry. Local microfinance clients from EDG shared their personal experiences as immigrants in America starting businesses, building their credit, and seeking financing through micro-loans.
The fun began at 6pm with people meeting each other. Drew, Kevin, Fiona, and the two local micro-entrepreneurs spoke to a full house (over 50 people!). Following a rousing discussion period, the panel adjourned and the crowd continued to meet and mingle downstairs in the lounge late into the night. This educational and valuable opportunity would not have been possible without the support of BB&T, WAM, Net Impact, Making Cents International, EDG, and concerned people from the DC Metro Area.
For more information on future events on microfinance in the DC area, please sign up for our e-newsletter. Email drew@entdevgroup.org with ‘Events’ in the subject line.
To find out more about the participating organizations please check out online:
