Schedule

PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Main Street Live: A Live Streamed Entrepreneurs’ Roundtable with Journalist/Author Rochelle Riley

In collaboration with the Michigan District Office of the SBA, AEO is proud to host this interactive forum, featuring local business owners. You’ll hear from Detroit’s rising entrepreneurs, who will share their “How I Built It” stories, as well as perspective on Detroit’s redevelopment movement. Moderated by award-winning journalist Rochelle Riley, business owners will share personal stories of resilience, define challenges in the face of a changing economic landscape, and give an assessment of the needs to secure a sustainable future outlook. The roundtable will kick off our celebration of the SBA National Small Business Week with an appearance from Melinda Emerson (@SmallBizLady), small business pundit and author, who will share insights from her new book, “Fix Your Business.” This live stream event will feature a Q&A from attendees and a national digital audience. Additionally, entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to receive small cash investment awards from AEO to advance their business. Free registration is available to join this SBA National Small Business Week kick-off event.

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Closing the Digital Divide in Small Business: What’s in Scope for CRA Investment

Please join us in this free special luncheon forum for community development finance and small business professionals, including CRA officers, bankers, CDFIs, and government agency staff. This event will feature engaging conversations that will shine a spotlight on opportunities to use CRA investment as a tool to bridge the digital divide among small businesses. The session begins with remarks from Ana Alvarez Boyd, Senior Associate Director of Community Development, Policy, & Research Federal Reserve Board of Governors, followed by a presentation from Jordana Barton of the Dallas Federal Reserve to present a framework for addressing the digital divide within the guidance of CRA.

Annie Donovan, Director, CDFI Fund/Treasury Department will lead the next panel discussion on the CDFI Fund Innovation Challenge and its role in creating opportunities and incentives for changes to the status quo in CDFI small business lending. Panelists, include Barry Wides, Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs, OCC, Theresa Stark, Federal Reserve Board, CRA Policy SME, along with representatives from JPMorgan Chase, Woodforest National Bank, and Legacy Texas Bank. This stellar lineup of experts will explore how bank participation in a referral marketplace like myWay to Credit can qualify for CRA credit and fit within the digital divide solutions framework.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

CONFERENCE OPENS MONDAY, APRIL 30 at 4:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Sessions are being curated and designed to help us explore emerging ideas and best practices, including:

• The Future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications for Reimagining Technical Assistance
• Improving the Financial Health of Business Owners
• Ecosystem Approaches for Achieving Greater Impact
• What Everyone Needs to Know About the Gig Economy
• Taking Advantage of the Shifting Landscape of Banks as They Go Digital
• Invest2Innovate
• Funder Insights on Microfinance Impact
• Funding and Innovation for Black Business Development
• Building Ecosystem Partnerships with Consumer Lenders to Support Small Business Owners
• And more!

Runway Project Master Class Series

These Master Classes will feature intimate conversations with well-known investors who are having a big impact on entrepreneurs from underserved populations. Get to know the people behind the leaders, and hear firsthand how their hopes, ambitions, and even failures have led them to where they are today. You’ll leave inspired and ready to supercharge your organization’s impact!

Runway Project is a program creating new systems for friends and family capital for Black entrepreneurs, and is incubated by AEO.

Mainstage Panel Discussions

The Moving Main Street Forward Mainstage will engage prominent pioneers and new leaders in exciting conversations around our key themes of inclusion, innovation and investment. These are plenaries you will not want to miss!

Breakfast RISE!

Jump-start your day by fueling your brain and feeding your soul at this roundtable breakfast.