As we celebrate Black History Month, I like to remember that we immigrants - myself, half of our BCNA team, and most of our clients, not only those who have recently immigrated from Africa - also owe many of the rights and opportunities we take for granted today to the civil rights activists who worked so hard, and sacrificed so much, to right grievous wrongs.
At BCNA we understand how important it is for everyone to be able to feel productive, to find community, and be able to earn a living that enables them to live with dignity.
I often think of Dr. King's quote,  "What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't have enough money to buy a hamburger?"
At BCNA we are honored to be working towards fulfilling Dr. King's dream of economic justice - and economic opportunity - for everyone.
Yanki Tshering,
Excecutive Director   
Save the Date!
Our annual BCNA Immigrant Heritage Week Awards event will be held on Thursday, April 25th.
An Inspiring Panel Highlighting Immigrant Entrepreneurs   

On December 4 th, BCNA was pleased to present an important and timely panel discussion: "Grit, Wits, and Good Old American Values: Refugee and Immigrant Owned Businesses Revitalizing American Communities" - led by noted TED Talks Fellow and first-generation Ghanaian-American Michael Rain, creator of The ENODI Project, and co-hosted by Kwame Marfo, BCNA Board Member and Co-Founder & Managing Partner at the Africa Empowerment Fund. Click here to read more: 
 
Our panel of entrepreneurs, led by Michael Rain, creator of The ENODI Project and TED Talk fellow, with Rahim Diallo, co-owner of Ginjan Bros, Inc.; Mariemeta Keita, owner of Keita West African Market; Huseyin Yavuz, owner and manager of @Verde Cafe and Lounge; Archana Pokhrel, owner of Lenox Spa and Nails ; and Shah Yafi owner of Food Cave LIC. 
A Salute to Outgoing Board Members 

Having a strong and committed Board of Directors with the vision, foresight, courage, and skills to provide valuable and strategic guidance is a critical resource for any organization that seeks to thrive and succeed by constantly challenging itself to fulfill its mission in the most effective way possible.
Two of our valued Board Members, Deepti Sharma, CEO of FoodtoEat, and Larisa Ortiz, Principal of Larisa Ortiz Associates, stepped down in 2018 and we want to thank them not only for their important contributions to BCNA's development and growth, but also for serving as role models as female entrepreneurs. Click here to read more:  
 
Supporting Entrepreneurship, Migration & Sustainable Development Goals at the World Investment Forum
 
It was a great honor to be invited to speak at the 2018 World Investment Forum about the work we've done at BCNA to support refugee entrepreneurship in the United States as well as to participate in a panel discussion on Entrepreneurship, Migration, and Sustainable Development Goals. This important conference, which is held every two years, provides a global platform for engagement and dialogue on emerging and key issues related to investing for sustainable development. Click here to read more:

Growing Our Team Means More Success!
 
We are very pleased to announce that we have added 2 very talented new people to our growing BCNA team! Please join us in welcoming Calvin Fletcher, Manager for BCNA's Microenterprise Development Program for Refugees, and Senior Loan Officer Juan Gonzalez.  
To learn more about our staff, please click here. 
 
BCNA Voices, Inspirational BCNA Speakers

BCNA Voices is an exciting roster of engaging speakers: women entrepreneurs who can share their stories to inspire members of their own communities or to help influence policies that promote entrepreneurship. For more information, click here.
 
Workshops 
 
To see all our upcoming workshops on Small Business Success, Home Ownership programs, and Social Media, click here. 
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