Bridging Virginia

?? Celebrate Virginia Wine Month! ?? October is Virginia Wine Month, the perfect time to explore the unique flavors and rich history of Virginia’s wine country. From boutique wineries to local wine shops, Virginia is home to a vibrant community of winemakers who are passionate about crafting exceptional wines. This month, we encourage you to support local and savor the diverse offerings from talented vintners across the state. Whether you're visiting a vineyard, picking up a bottle from a local store, or enjoying a tasting at a boutique shop, every sip supports local businesses and the community. At Bridging Virginia, we are proud to support several of these incredible small businesses, helping them grow and succeed all year long. As we celebrate the local businesses who pour their heart into every bottle, we are thrilled to see Virginia’s wine industry flourish and enrich our community. Cheers to a month of celebration and local wine! #VAWineMonth #SipLocal #VirginiaWine

We had an amazing time at the Virginia Specialty Food Association Fall Networking Event! It was a night filled with delicious culinary delights from local food entrepreneurs, including some of our small business clients like Owl Spoon. We also got to hear the inspiring story of Joye B. Moore and her remarkable journey in the food industry. It was a fantastic space for networking, learning, and tasting some incredible flavors. Huge thanks to VASFA for curating such an unforgettable event!

At Bridging Virginia, we are deeply committed to being intentionally inclusive, ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunity. Through capital access, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships, we work to create a space where all voices are heard and valued. We believe that diversity is our greatest strength, and we’re dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves. Global Diversity Awareness Month, celebrated annually throughout October, serves as a powerful reminder of the richness and value of our diverse workforce and global community. This observance encourages us to recognize and appreciate the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that individuals from all backgrounds bring to the table. By fostering a culture of inclusion, where everyone feels safe to express their authentic selves, we can unlock greater innovation, creativity, success and collaboration. Let's embrace the power of diversity this month and commit to building a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all. #GlobalDiversityAwarenessMonth #DEI

Happy National Women's Small Business Month! This October, we celebrate the incredible women entrepreneurs who are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of our economy. At Bridging Virginia, we are dedicated to supporting women-owned small business by providing access to affordable capital and technical assistance, ensuring their continued growth and success. As we honor their achievements, we encourage you to join us in taking meaningful steps to support women-owned businesses. Did you know? ??Women own 42% of all businesses in the U.S.! ??50% of these women-owned businesses are minority-owned. ??Every day, 1,817 new women-owned businesses launch! ??Women-owned businesses employ nearly 9.4 million people. (SBA, 2024) Women entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, and we’re here to support them every step of the way—whether through funding, resources, or mentorship. Join us in celebrating the power of women in business! Share your favorite women-owned small businesses and let’s amplify their voices.

You Don't Want to Miss This Great Event! We hope you’ll join us for Spark RVA: Igniting Entrepreneurship on October 17th at 5 p.m. at The Kitchens at Reynolds, as we celebrate the amazing people and businesses contributing to the dynamic growth of the RVA region. We’re beyond excited about our ongoing partnership with Culinary Concepts AB LLC, Hatch , and Capital One, and we can’t wait to celebrate the graduates of our Entrepreneur Empowerment Program. You’ll hear inspiring stories, connect with community leaders, and enjoy delicious food from local businesses. Special guests include Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater and more! This is a must-attend event to connect, learn, and support our entrepreneurial community. RSVP today! https://ow.ly/43Cs50TBOz8

An impactful day in Harrisonburg last week at the City of Harrisonburg and Virginia CDFI Coalition Innovation Session! The event brought together Virginia CDFI Coalition members and local Harrisonburg stakeholders to explore how programmatic and financial resources can support community-driven development. Our CEO, Leah Fremouw, proudly represented Bridging Virginia, contributing to key discussions on how CDFIs can help build powerful public-private partnerships. The session introduced local practitioners to the vital role of CDFIs and highlighted impactful projects in Harrisonburg, identifying ways they can align with existing and potential funding. These conversations are laying the groundwork for exciting new initiatives across Virginia, and we can’t wait to see where these collaborations lead! #BridgingVirginia #CDFI #CommunityImpact City of Harrisonburg, VA - Government

On September 23rd, we celebrated a pivotal moment in American history – the 30th anniversary of the CDFI Fund! Since 1994, this Fund has been a lifeline for underserved communities, channeling over $7 billion to CDFIs and fueling projects that have created or retained 5.3 million jobs. At Bridging Virginia, we are inspired by the work of over 1,400 certified CDFIs that have changed lives through impactful investments and worked tirelessly to build stronger, more equitable communities. For three decades, the CDFI Fund has transformed lives by investing where it matters most – in people, in small businesses, and in futures that deserve to thrive. As we look ahead, we remain committed to supporting these efforts, helping to bridge gaps and build pathways to prosperity in Virginia and beyond. Here’s to 30 years of progress, and to many more! #CDFI #30YearAnniversary #CommunityDevelopment

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month This month, we're celebrating the entrepreneurs, culture, and community that make the Hispanic business community so special. Check out these incredible events happening in support of Hispanic-owned businesses and their contributions! Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, or support, there’s something for everyone. Upcoming Events: ?? 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Commonwealth Coffee – Thursday, September 26, 2024 – https://ow.ly/yZmM50TtJRB ?? The Manassas Latino Festival – Saturday, September 28, 2024 – https://ow.ly/yaGb50TtJRF ?? Fiesta DC – September 28-29 – https://ow.ly/MY7T50TtJRE ?? MBL Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration – Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – https://ow.ly/SksE50TtJRH ?? LEDC's Hispanic Heritage Month Market – Saturday, October 12, 2024 – https://ow.ly/JPiY50TtJRG ?? Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert – Sunday, October 6, 2024 – https://ow.ly/9HV450TtJRJ ?? Noche de Fiesta in the Garden – Saturday, November 2, 2024 – https://ow.ly/q8mc50TtJRL Don’t miss out—mark your calendars, share with friends, and join us as we uplift the vibrant Hispanic community! Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on events and how we’re building an inclusive future for all! https://ow.ly/bgl650TtJRK

Yesterday, September 23, 2024, we recognized not only a special day but an important milestone for America. We celebrated the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). On September 23, 1994, President Clinton signed into law H.R. 3474, the Riegle Community Development Act, the bipartisan legislation that created the Fund. The CDFI Fund has been foundational to community development finance; since its inception, the Fund has awarded more than $7 billion to CDFIs and $76 billion tax credits to capitalize community development projects and community investment. Today, there are more than 1,400 certified CDFIs. Since 2015, CDFIs have invested at least $216 billion in communities across the country, helping to create or retain 5.3 million American jobs. As we celebrate 30 years of the CDFI Fund’s impactful investment, it’s also my honor to share my election as Chair of the Community Development Advisory Board, a 15-person federal advisory committee to the CDFI Fund. I thank my fellow Advisory Board members for their support and look forward to collaborating with them to provide key insights to the CDFI Fund for the continued success of CDFIs, the industry, and more importantly, the communities we serve. Read the announcement here: https://lnkd.in/geR4Sqzu U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen joined the Community Development Advisory Board meeting last week and spoke of the deep impact of, and need for, the CDFI Fund and community development finance. Read her remarks here: https://lnkd.in/gHjf__eF The future of the industry could not be more bright, and I could not be more excited for the future of the CDFI Fund under the leadership of Pravina Raghavan in charting the next 30 years. The creation of the CDFI Fund is a key moment for America and the history of our industry, a history that has made us for this moment and the road ahead. We appreciate the critical partnership of the CDFI Fund in advancing opportunity in communities that need it most. Opportunity Finance Network #OFN40 #CDFIFund #CDFI #CDFIs #ImpInv #ImpactInvesting

Join The Metropolitan Business League to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! On Wednesday, October 2nd, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Quiubo Parce in Midlothian, enjoy an evening of music, salsa dancing, and vibrant cultural experiences. This free event is a great opportunity to connect with the community, celebrate diversity, and honor the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. Don’t miss salsa lessons with Salsa Guy Richmond! Come out, support the MBL, and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Hispanic Heritage Month. FREE to attend. Register now! https://lnkd.in/e5zbvvD7