ASPIRE Chronicles: February 15th
February 15, 2024ASPIRE Chronicles: March 28th
March 28, 2024The ASPIRE Chronicles is a biweekly series bringing you the latest updates from ASPIRE Community Capital’s team as we share our impact and engagement in Charlotte’s small business community.
Check out what the ASPIRE team has been up to the last few weeks!
ASPIRE’s attends Breakfast Conversations Business Networking
ASPIRE was delighted to attend the 10th annual Breakfast Conversations event alongside many amazing community partners, organizations, and friends. With impressive speakers, great networking opportunities, and a range of entrepreneurial resources, we can’t wait to do it again next year.
Breakfast Conversations™ Business Networking is strategically designed for small & minority business owners and corporate professionals to achieve their full entrepreneurial potential through business formation, vendorship, financial capability, procurement with governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Learn more about Business Conversations event here.
Manuel attends You Are Not Crazy: Charlotte Black Entrepreneurship Through The Lens of Mental Health
ASPIRE had the pleasure of attending the screening and discussion event of “You Are Not Crazy” at the Independent Picture House, from Black Wall Street and Charlotte Building Initiative. Manuel is pictured here with Vanessa Mathews, Founder & Chief Resilience officer of Asfalis Advisors!
The Black Wall Street Forward Charlotte Council alongside with Community Building Initiative (CBI) hosted a public screening entitled, You Are Not Crazy: Arguing Black Entrepreneurship as a Public Health Issue through a Mental Health Lens. You are Not Crazy is a community survey turned into a short documentary where audience members were able to learn about the mental health journey of local black entrepreneurs as they talk about how their mental health has been affected while navigating the systems and structures within the Charlotte ecosystem as a black business owner. The screening was followed by a community panel and discussion.
CBI’s mission is to give people and organizations the knowledge, skills, and courage to fight bias, remove barriers to opportunity and build a more equitable and just Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Learn More about the Community Building Initiative here.
ASPIRE Team attends HIIVE Cohort One Graduation!
ASPIRE had a great time attending the HIIVE (Hub for Inclusivity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship) Cohort One Graduation Ceremony at University of North Carolina Charlotte’s Dubois Center this month. The keynote speaker was soccer player Brandt Bronico, who shared his #Grindset with Cohort One and everyone there to celebrate their achievements.
Charlotte Center City Partners launched the Charlotte Hub for Inclusivity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (HIIVE) program at the end of 2023. It is a small business resource hub focused on providing educational curriculum and operating space opportunities to food and retail businesses. HIIVE intends to bolster small business skills as well as provide practical insights, networking opportunities, and real-world experiences. The resource hub prioritizes supporting small businesses owned by people of color, women, and/or veterans with the aspiration of successfully operating in Center City’s unique business environment.
Learn More about HIIVE here.
Manuel attends Opera Carolina’s “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson”
ASPIRE had a great time attending Opera Carolina’s “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson,” which honors the founder of one of America’s first Black opera companies, Mary Cardwell Dawson. Manuel’s pictured here alongside Rickey Hall, from the invitation of Dr. Shanté Williams.
Senior Board Chair for the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition and Westside Community Land Trust, Rickey Hall, has spent his lifetime working to implement sustainable community driven solutions to address systemic social and economic mobility challenges in disenfranchised African-American communities and promoting community-driven initiatives focused on addressing systemic food insecurity and improved health access.
Learn More about HIIVE here.
ASPIRE Attends For The Struggle Gala
ASPIRE attended the For The Struggle, Inc. Annual Benefit Gala in Charlotte, connecting impact with a great cause at this celebration of all of For The Struggle’s efforts in our community.
For The Struggle is a Charlotte-based Nonprofit Organization dedicated to zealously fighting systemic racial and social injustice in our community.
Learn More about For The Struggle here.
ASPIRE Celebrated Black History Month at Help Credit Union
Celebrating Black History Month at Help Credit Union. The incredible staff members came together to honor the richness of Black literature and the impactful contributions of African Americans in the arts. They honored the voices of the past and present that shape our history and fuel creativity by featuring local artists in the branch. Our own Director of Programs Christopher Capel was one of the four artists featured.
Learn More about the Self Help Credit Union here.
ASPIRE Attends Annual Links Incorporated Mardi Gras
ASPIRE attended the Mardi Gras Gala of The Crown Jewels (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Since 1993, the Crown Jewels (NC) Chapter has provided transformative, sustainable, and impactful service to our Metro-Charlotte communities as an integral part of the mission of The Links, Incorporated. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Learn More about Crown Jewels Chapter of the Links here.
ASPIRE Announces Golf Tournament
Register Now for the ASPIRE Golf Tournament!
⛳️ Dust off your clubs and join us for the Aspire Golf Tournament supporting our Micro Loan Fund on Monday, May 13th, 2024, at the prestigious Raintree Country Club! ️Hit the green for a fun-filled day of competition, camaraderie, and giving back to our community. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a casual swinger, all skill levels are welcome!
Here’s what awaits you:
• Captain’s Choice playing format
• Exciting contests & prizes
• Delicious food & drinks
• Networking opportunities
• The satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause!
ASPIRE Community Capital specializes in creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and financial independence through our business education programs and micro-lending.
Make plans to secure your spot and make a difference!
ASPIRE’s Christopher Capel will facilitate panel at upcoming Summit
Attend the High Vibe Summit with Nicole Smith & Christopher Capel!
This International Women’s Day, attend the High Vibe Summit at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus and gain a wealth of insights from an impressive lineup of speakers, as you gain business skills, professional development opportunities, and lived experience lessons & empowerment.
ASPIRE’s own Director of Programs, Christopher Capel, will be facilitating the panel discussion at the summit.
Learn More & Register here.
ASPIRE Community Capital specializes in business training and access to capital resources that empower underestimated entrepreneurs. Our strategic wrap-around services include: Business Readiness Program, Community Business Academy, Business Accelerator Services and Access to Capital. Join us today in CHANGING THE WORLD one business at a time.