MAY Event
Minnesota Africans United Business and Economic Development Committee Webinar
​
Theme: Promoting Entrepreneurship Among African Diaspora in Minnesota
​
Minnesota Africans United, in partnership with SCORE, is hosting a Business and Economic Development webinar focused on promoting entrepreneurship among African diaspora in Minnesota. During this webinar, we will hear from experts in the field who will discuss the resources available to those who are interested in starting a business, and those who are already entrepreneurs. We will also hear from current African entrepreneurs who will share their stories of their business development journey, including their challenges and successes. This event will feature experts from SCORE, Small Business Administration, Bremer Bank, Women Venture, Federal Reserve Bank, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and investors that support African immigrants with their ambitions to start and own their business and to improve trade between Minnesota and African countries.
“If I had worried about everything that could go wrong, I would never have started. Sometimes, you just need to take a leap of faith.” — Ken Njoroge of Cellulant, Kenya.
​
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021
​
Time: 1pm-3:30pm CST
Pre-Program:
​
12:30pm – All keynote speakers and panelists log in to test technology. Fadil
​
​
​
​
​
Agenda:
​
1:00pm – 1:05pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks, Dr. Fatima Lawson, Board Chairwoman of MAU; introduction
1:05pm: Introduction of Chairperson of MAU’s Business and Economic Development Committee, Mr. Gabriel Mba
1:05pm – 1:10pm: Mr. Mba introduces keynote speaker, Dr. Hans Mbangowah, Asst Vice President, Old National Bank
1:10pm – 1:20pm: Keynote address by Dr. Hans Mbangowah, Assistant Vice President, Old National Bank.
1:20pm – 1:30pm: Questions and answers, moderated by Mr. Gabriel Mba
1:30pm – 1:32pm: Introduction of Moderator for Experienced Panel, Ms. Beth Commers, Project Director, Federal Reserve Bank by Mr. Gabriel Mba
1:32pm – 1:35pm: Ms. Beth Commers introduces experienced panelists
1:35pm – 2:15pm: Experienced Panelists: Ms. Khadija Ali (Somalia), Ms. Gladys Eta, (Nigeria), Mr. G. Trokon Richards, (Liberia), and Ms. Monia Bardoza, (Togo)
2:15pm –2:17pm: Ms. Beth Commers introduces Response Panel Moderator, Mr. Michou Kokodoko, Project Director, Federal Reserve Bank
2:17pm – 2:20pm: Mr. Michou Kokodoko introduces response panelists
2:20pm – 3:10pm: Mr. Brian McDonald, SBA Director; Mr. Harry Miller, Chair, SCORE Twin Cities; Ms. Erin Horn, Executive Director, Women Venture; Mr. Bruce Strong, Business Division, DEED
3:10pm – 3:25pm: Q&A from the audience for the response panelists
3:25pm – 3:30pm: Closing by Basil Ajuo, President of MAU
