The 2011 symposium inspired and motivated – so much so that we are already planning for for 2012. If you would like to be on the ¡Viva! committee, email Shufina
A Women of Color Entrepreneur Symposium
Women of color entrepreneurs represent the fastest growing segment of new businesses in California. ¡Viva! was launched in 2007 to provide training, technical assistance, and peer support to help CAMEO members better reach and serve the emerging Latino market of entrepreneurs. In 2011, we changed focus to spotlight women of color entrepreneurs.
Our third annual ¡Viva! Symposium was held in Los Angeles on November 7, 2011 in partnership with the National Latina Business Women’s Association.
Women Entrepreneurs! A Women of Color Entrepreneurs Symposium
November 7, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Federal Reserve, 950 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90015.
Women entrepreneurs are the nation’s secret ingredient in the recipe for economic growth.
More women are starting their own firms, but not at a rate as high as men. Businesses owned by women of color are one of the fastest growing segments of all small businesses and start at three times the rate of all other groups. However, they lag behind other firms in terms of success and growth indicators.
If we close those gaps, we harness the power of women to grow their businesses, create jobs and grow the economy. CAMEO invites you and your clients to join us for a day of learning and empowerment to meet the challenge in its third annual symposium.
Morning Program
- Opening Remarks by Claudia Viek (bio, pic below left), CAMEO C.E.O.
- Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned by Women of Color: uncover the challenges that women of color entrepreneurs face when growing their businesses; then identify how to solve these problems to be successful. Moderated by Forescee Hogan-Rowles (bio, pic below 2nd from left), Community Financial Resource Center.
- Research presentation by Sheila Brooks (bio, pic above center right), entrepreneur and board member, the Center for Women’s Business Research
- Panel discussion with Cecilia Mota (bio, pic above right), President National Latina Business Women Association, Rhea Aguinaldo, National Asian American Coalition, and Donyielle Holley (bio, see pic below left), Assistant Director, Quantum Community Development Corporation
- Audience Participation
- Peer Support Programs for Women of Color Entrepreneurs: a case study from Valley Economic Development Corporation
Luncheon: Professor Al Osborne (bio, see pic below left center), Dean, Price Center for Entrepreneurship, UCLA will motivate everyone on “How to Position Yourself Strategically to Take Advantage of Today’s Business Opportunities”
Afternoon Program
- Discover Mujersísimas with Cecilia Mota and Carmen Hensch (bio, see pic below right center). Mujersísimas, or SuperWomen, is a set of online empowerment tools and services whose mission is to transform women’s lives through connection, education and inspiration.
- Dr. Liliana Cabouli (bio, pic below right)
- You don’t have to do it alone, there is help. The day will end with a resource panel. Participants include: Community Financial Resource Center, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Center, Operation Hope, Quantum Community Development Corporation and others
Resources related to ¡Viva! objectives:
- National Latina Business Women’s Association
- Mujersísimas
- Carmen Hensch’s advice for women entrepreneurs through experience – excerpts from her presentation.
- Center for Women’s Business Research
- The SBA report on Women-owned Businesses and summary. A teaser – women’s share of total U.S. firms increased from 26 percent in 1997 to 29 percent in 2007; 88 percent were nonemployer firms in 2007.
- New research: Gazelle Index: New National
- New research: On the Earnings and Employment of Female Hispanic Entrepreneurs in the 2000s.
Feel free to submit additional resources to CAMEO by contacting us.
Thanks to the National Latina Business Women’s Association for co-hosting this event.
We are grateful to our event sponsors:
