Joint Center Vice President Moderates Opportunity Finance Network Panel ‘Inequality in the Pandemic: Entrepreneurs of Color’

On June 16, Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton moderated Opportunity Finance Network’s Small Business Finance Forum panel, Inequality in the Pandemic: Entrepreneurs of Color.

Presenters included U.S. Black Chambers President/CEO Ron Busby, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Executive Director and CEO Noel Poyo, and Business Center for New Americans Founder and Executive Director Yanki Tshering.

The panel description is as follows: “Even before the pandemic, entrepreneurs of color suffered from lack of access to capital. The pandemic has only exacerbated the challenges faced by this large segment of the US small business population. This session focuses on the issues as well as the solutions CDFIs are implementing to help ensure these businesses survive the crisis and share equally in the recovery.”

During the two-day event, there were also discussions on “the heightened need for technical assistance,” the “economic outlook for small businesses and states,” “portfolio credit risk management,” federal policy for small businesses, and more.