AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity)

📊AEO Releases Comparative Presidential Candidate Economic Policy Brief: Small Business Initiatives 📊 We’re proud to announce the release of our Comparative Presidential Candidate Economic Policy Brief on Small Business Initiatives. This comprehensive analysis reviews the policies from leading 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and their potential impact on small businesses across the country. At AEO, we believe that small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and informed policy decisions are critical to their success. This brief provides insights into where each candidate stands on issues such as access to capital, support for minority-owned businesses, and technical assistance programs. 🔎 Read the full brief to understand how the upcoming election could shape the future of America’s small businesses: https://lnkd.in/ei52vYdE #SmallBusiness #EconomicPolicy #Entrepreneurship #AEO #Election2024

🌟 Join us for an exciting event at AEO Talks: CBC Small Business Luncheon - September 12, in Washington, DC🌟 We are thrilled to bring together an incredible panel of leaders and experts as we launch the Black Retail Study Report & Retail Advantage Program on September 12th at 11:30 AM. Featuring: - Natalie Madeira Cofield, President & CEO of AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity) - Eric Morrissette, Interim Under Secretary, Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce - Al Green, Texas 9th District - Jasmine Crockett 30th District - Kendall Corley, Deputy COS, U.S. Small Business Administration - Lisa Price, Founder, Carol's Daughter, - Jetheda Hernandez, Sr. Director, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) 📍 Location:The Hamilton Live, Washington, D.C. 🔗 RSVP Required: www.aeoworks.org/events This luncheon is a powerful opportunity to discuss the future of Black retail, small businesses, and the impact of critical initiatives designed to empower entrepreneurs. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking conversation and networking opportunity! #SmallBusiness #BlackRetail #Entrepreneurship #EconomicEquity #AEO #CBCTalks

#CONTRACTOROPPORTUNITY We're looking for a skilled Event Coordinator https://lnkd.in/escBqGrq to manage events from start to finish! If you have experience in managing events end-to-end, budgeting, logistics, and on-site execution, we want to hear from you. 💼 Role: Event Coordinator (Contractor) 📍 Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid) 📅 Contract Duration: 3-6 months, with the possibility of extension 📢 Interested? To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and references to Jackie Hazan at [email protected] by September 20. Know someone? Share this post! 🎉 #EventCoordinator #Hiring #ContractJobs  Thank you!  

Today, AEO is proud to join our industry collaborators, ProsperityNOW for their 2024 Prosperity Summit, for a featured session where we will release our latest research findings on Black business. The session will include remarks by President & CEO, Natalie Madeira Cofield and Lori Diane Smith, PhD. #ProsperitySummit2024 brings together thousands of professionals dedicated to ensuring that everyone has a clear path to financial stability, wealth, and prosperity. With financial insecurity and inequality at all-time highs, this is the moment for service providers, advocates, researchers, philanthropists, and others to unite. The Summit addresses the entire spectrum of factors affecting financial well-being, from savings and government investments to homeownership as a pathway to wealth and strategies to close the racial wealth divide. Join over 1,500 practitioners and advocates from the nonprofit, private, and public sectors for 5 thought-provoking plenaries, 78 concurrent sessions (including 66 general and 12 VITA sessions), and multiple networking events.

Join AEO and our distinguished guests to celebrate Labor Day and explore the role of independent contractors in the small business ecosystem. This online event will build on AEO’s “Self-Employment” research report and explore the motivations driving individuals toward self-employment, the challenges they face, and the opportunities this trend creates for the small business ecosystem.

Join AEO and our distinguished guests to celebrate Labor Day and explore the role of independent contractors in the small business ecosystem. This online event will build on AEO’s “Self-Employment” research report and explore the motivations driving individuals toward self-employment, the challenges they face, and the opportunities this trend creates for the small business ecosystem. The event will feature prominent thought leaders, including: 📢 Olatunji Ajani, MBA Ajani, Executive Director of 1 Million Cups and Kauffman FastTrac, Kauffman Foundation 📢Natalie Madeira Cofield, President and CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity 📢 Andrew Garin, Assistant Professor of Economics, Carnegie Mellon University 📢Chelsea J. Maxwell, MSW, Senior Research Associate, Association for Enterprise Opportunity 📢Todd McCracken, President and CEO, National Small Business Association 📢 @Sharen Rooks, Creative Director, Power Media Solutions 📢 Kristin Sharp, CEO, Flex Association 📢🌿 Liz Wilkes, PhD, Principal Economist, Gusto RSVP - https://lnkd.in/dKStqmaG

The recent passage of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government bill marks a significant milestone for economic equity and small business growth across the United States. The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is encouraged by the robust funding allocated to both the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efuEw8GS

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is proud to unveil its new research programming “Data to Dialogue”, a digital and in-person conversation series, dedicated to connecting groundbreaking data with applicable policy and practice. This webinar series offers participants an in-depth look at AEO’s latest research, creating a dynamic platform where subject matter experts and community economic development practitioners come together to translate research into action. AEO’s research initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping policies, programs, and strategies that empower underserved entrepreneurs and drive economic equity. By providing in-depth analysis and data-driven insights, AEO’s research highlights the unique challenges faced by small business owners, particularly those in marginalized communities, and identifies opportunities for growth and resilience. This work not only informs the broader small business ecosystem but also equips stakeholders with the knowledge needed to foster an inclusive and thriving economy. Read more in our press release here: https://lnkd.in/d_DFUZ59

Join AEO and our distinguished guests to celebrate Labor Day and explore the role of independent contractors in the small business ecosystem. This online event will build on AEO’s “Self-Employment” research report and explore the motivations driving individuals toward self-employment, the challenges they face, and the opportunities this trend creates for the small business ecosystem. The event will feature prominent thought leaders, including: 📢 Olatunji Ajani, MBA Ajani, Executive Director of 1 Million Cups and Kauffman FastTrac, Kauffman Foundation 📢Natalie Madeira Cofield, President and CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity 📢Andrew Garin, Assistant Professor of Economics, Carnegie Mellon University 📢Chelsea J. Maxwell, MSW, Senior Research Associate, Association for Enterprise Opportunity 📢Todd McCracken, President and CEO, National Small Business Association  📢Sharen Rooks, Creative Director, Power Media Solutions 📢 Kristin Sharp, CEO, Flex Association  📢Liz Wilke, PhD, Principal Economist, Gusto

🌟 Last Wednesday, AEO hosted an inspiring event in Martha’s Vineyard to kick off Black Small Business Month! 🌟 Sponsored by TikTok Shop, this gathering brought together industry leaders and entrepreneurs to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black-owned businesses. It was a day filled with insightful discussions, networking, and community-building, all in the beautiful setting of Martha’s Vineyard. A special thank you to our speakers: Jahana Hayes, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, Connecticut Nikema Williams, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Richard Fowler, Contributing Writer, Forbes Melissa Bradley, Founder, 1863 Ventures Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Community Uplift, Brookings Institution Lenwood V Long Sr , Chief Executive Officer, African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs A huge thank you to TikTok Shop and all who attended for making this event a memorable celebration of resilience and innovation. For a recap click here: https://lnkd.in/e4FEnAUG #AEO #BlackBusinessMonth #SmallBusiness #MarthasVineyard #TikTokShop #EconomicEmpowerment