Event Recap: Black History Month Resource Fair, Community Foundation Boulder County, and the Language of Finance with BMO, Woodforest Entrepreneurship for All

During the first few months of the year, DreamSpring was busy supporting local entrepreneurial ecosystems across our lending footprint. From facilitating workshops on access to capital, to engaging in important conversations on panels, to celebrating community with our generous funders, 2024 is off to a great start! 

Black History Month Resource Fair in Houston 

Shaundra Jacobs, DreamSpring Community Engagement Officer, took part in Houston’s Small Business Administration (SBA) Black History Month Resource Fair in collaboration with the Emancipation Economic Development Council (EEDC). Shaundra contributed as a panelist on access to capital, sharing insights alongside LiftFund, Chase, PeopleFund, and The Bancorp. Three panels presented topics on community-focused organizations, resources for entrepreneurs, and bank lenders and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).

Participants also circulated among booths hosted by local small business resource partners such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), the SBA, and BakerRipley. These booths offered additional resources and support for attendees — a one-stop shop for small business owners! Shaundra is proud to amplify DreamSpring in the community at events like these and is always looking to bring more awareness on how we support small business owners.

Celebrating Impact with the Community Foundation Boulder County

Community Engagement Officer Meghan Rauker spent an evening sharing stories of local impact with fellow grantees and the Community Foundation Boulder County in Longmont, Colorado. This event served as a reminder of the importance of amplifying local impact and building meaningful connections and partnerships. Our heartfelt thanks to the Community Foundation Boulder County for their generous contributions to DreamSpring and other mission-driven organizations!

The Language of Finance with BMO: Free Business Education for Phoenix-Based Entrepreneurs

With our friends at BMO, DreamSpring hosted a virtual workshop on the Language of Finance in January. Throughout the hour-long session, experts from BMO Harris shared the ins and outs of business financials — from balance sheets to profit & loss and cash flow statements! Attendees learned how to better understand their overall financial position, credit history, and financial documentation, as well as how to think about external factors for strategic planning.

Missed the workshop? We’ll be hosting an in-person session on April 16, 2024, in Albuquerque. Register today!

Woodforest E4All Touches Down in DFW

Entrepreneurs from the Foundations Economic Development Corporation community shared stories of how they started and grew their small businesses at the Woodforest Entrepreneurship for All (E4All) event, as part of the Woodforest Foundry program. There was ample space to network and connect with entrepreneurs and other professionals within the small business ecosystem in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

DreamSpring Philanthropy Officer Tassjania Lozano facilitated a panel discussion and shared the vision and mission of DreamSpring. Afterward, she joined DreamSpring Community Lending Officer Marlon Frazier in one-on-one conversations with entrepreneurs and other business support organizations, including One Million Cups Fort Worth, CDFI Friendly Fort Worth, and LiftFund. Over 40 attendees left the event inspired to take their own business ideas to the next level!