June Newsletter| A Month of Celebrations |The latest news for you
Impact Experience
Impact Experience builds bridges between impact investors and community leaders and entrepreneurs
You are receiving this email because you have believed in our vision since the beginning, have contributed essential insights along the way, or have expressed an interest in following our journey.
Celebrating Juneteenth: A Day of Reflection, Empowerment, and Impact
Dear Impact Experience Community,
This June, we joined millions across the U.S. in celebrating Juneteenth, a significant milestone in the ongoing fight for freedom, equality, and justice. This annual commemoration holds profound meaning as we honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and acknowledge the progress we have made as a society while recognizing the work that remains.
At Impact Experience, we recognize that celebrating Juneteenth extends beyond mere recognition. As we reach the halfway point for the year, we encourage you to engage in meaningful conversations, educate yourselves and others, and take action that promotes positive social change. Together, we can use our platforms, networks, and resources to amplify unheard voices.?
In solidarity,
The Impact Experience Team
Inspiring Stories of Transformation from the Illumen Capital Impact Experience
We are thrilled to highlight another successful Illumen Capital Impact Experience! This transformative engagement could not exist without the support of our partners and their commitment to meaningful change. Through engaging sessions and thought-provoking discussions, we explored the vital role of the financial system in driving social impact. During our time together, our partners and attendees shared inspiring stories of transformation, from advancing education in underserved areas to empowering marginalized communities through entrepreneurship.?
The Illumen Capital Impact Experience provides invaluable insights for asset managers, including the importance of engaging with the communities they intend to impact when constructing portfolios, and fosters a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between financial returns and social change.?Special thanks to Illumen Capital for their continued partnership and dedication to this work. To learn more about the Illumen Capital Impact Experience and how you can host or sponsor an Impact Experience, visit our website .
The Power of Advocacy Through Art with Kalonji Gilchrist
Kalonji Gilchrist is the Founder & Executive Director of 21 Dreams Arts & Culture Collective, a nonprofit membership organization committed to advancing creative and cultural arts in Montgomery, Alabama. Though Kalonji is hesitant to consider himself an activist, he acknowledges the power of storytelling to do just that: change minds, hearts and inspire action.?
In addition to guiding the creative vision for 21 Dreams, he is also the owner of KHARI Creative, LLC, his own production company offering digital media & design services for audience development, client engagement, special events, and short-form documentaries. “I realized that power of art to activate or to bring awareness to social issues,” Gilchrist says. “We’re using that power to bring people together and then make sure that they have something to take away. They’re not just walking away without a directive.”?
Art has the power to change the world. It can raise awareness of important issues, challenge social norms, and build bridges between people. But without funding, artists struggle to create art that can inspire and empower others. Special thanks to Kalonji for his continued inspiration and partnership on several Illumen Capital Impact Experience educational videos. To learn more about Kalonji and his work visit his site at 21 Dreams Arts & Culture ?or read his feature at the Southern Poverty Law Center .
The LGBTQ+ Funding Gap: Why Representation Matters
In the pursuit of true equity, it is crucial to prioritize LGBTQ+ representation in all parts of society, including funding.?
An alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for action: LGBTQ+ businesses were equally likely to apply for loans or financing in general, but more than 10% less likely to receive it. This stark disparity underscores the systemic biases and barriers that hinder access to funding for LGBTQ+ communities.
Representation in funding is pivotal for empowering LGBTQ+ individuals and enabling resources to address the specific needs of the community. This engagement fuels innovation, job creation, and fosters a diverse and resilient economy. Moreover, LGBTQ+ representation in funding sends a resounding message of acceptance, inspiring future generations and challenging harmful stereotypes and biases. To bridge the gap, organizations and investors must proactively seek out and support LGBTQ+ led initiatives. Promoting LGBTQ+ representation in funding goes beyond mere fairness; it is a catalyst for transformative change.
1. Movement Advancement Project | LGBTQ-Owned Small Businesses in 2021. (n.d.). Www.lgbtmap.org. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.lgbtmap.org/2021-lgbtq-small-businesses
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Business Climate Finance Virtual Program: From Risk to Resilience
Join us for an engaging virtual program where we delve into the intersection of banking, climate challenges, and racial equity. Discover the crucial role financial institutions play in empowering marginalized communities, promoting environmental justice, and fostering a just and equitable transition toward a sustainable future. Be part of the conversation and join a diverse and engaged audience dedicated to driving positive change. Register here: businessclimatefinance.org/events .
Engage with Impact Experience: Opportunities to Learn, Partner, and Make a Difference
We are excited to share various ways you can actively engage and make a meaningful impact with us. As we strive to foster positive change, we invite you to explore the following opportunities:
For more information on how you can get involved or to discuss specific partnership opportunities, please reach out to Ola Allen- Taylor at [email protected] .
Welcome Our Summer 2023 Interns
Impact Experience Institute Associate
Our team is growing! This is a special opportunity for an individual with an interest in impact investing and community-based change.
Reporting to the COO, the Impact Experience Associate will play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and impact of our fast-growing, impact-oriented organization dedicated to the promise of a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world. Candidates should have an interest in the impact investing industry and a passion for building innovative solutions that create both financial value and meaningful social and environmental impact, as well as communicating financial value and meaningful social and environmental impact to external stakeholders. Visit our website to learn more and for a complete list of all openings. Resumes can be sent to [email protected]
Quarterly Recap: Our Activities and Achievements
Below is a list of some of the discussions, events, and conversations that?we have participated in?this quarter:
Support our Work
Support us in our efforts to help amplify community voices. We're actively fundraising for our nonprofit, Impact Experience Institute, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. With your donations, we will be able to reach more communities and uplift local entrepreneurs, bringing a much-needed spotlight to their valuable work.
Contact us today at [email protected] to discuss hosting an Impact Experience in your community or within your organization.?