KCSourceLink The Power of Entrepreneurship: Connecting Communities

About The Power of Entrepreneurship: Connecting Communities

In our region, entrepreneurship has had the power to impact so much more in our communities. From the maker who goes into business to build generational wealth for their family, to the pioneer who wants to change the world with an innovative service, entrepreneurship does so much to shape where we live and the people we become.

On August 15, 2023, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and KCSourceLink will bring together individuals and organizations from various sectors of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to forge new connections and explore how our ecosystem and entrepreneurs’ needs have shifted. We will also come together to learn more and share the impact that small business development and entrepreneurship have in our region.

The Power of Entrepreneurship: Connecting Communities will focus on the role of small business development and entrepreneurship in economic development and community development.

Together, over the course of this half-day work summit, we hope to:

• Connect individuals and groups within the entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Highlight the development (and shift) in the ecosystem following the COVID-19 crisis
• Draw connections between sectors and industries

Agenda

12:30 p.m.: Registration + Networking

1-1:15 p.m.: KCSourceLink + Federal Reserve Welcome

1:15-1:25 p.m.: State of the Ecosystem

• Chante Keller, KCSourceLink

1:25-2:15 p.m.: Panel - Entrepreneurship + Economic Development

• Becca Castro, LaunchKC
• Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
• Anna Fiorella, ArtsKC
• Dennis Ridenour, BioNexus KC

2:15-2:45 p.m.: Ecosystem Collision - Economic Development

What role does small business and entrepreneurship play in economic development?

2:45 p.m.-3 p.m.: Break

3-3:50 p.m.: Panel - Community Development

• Tammy Buckner, WeCode KC
• Shanita McAfee-Bryant, The Prospect KC/The Spot
• Marisa Martinez, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
• Jeff Porter, Kansas City Current

3:50-4:20 p.m.: Ecosystem Collision - Community Development

What role does small business and entrepreneurship play in community development?

4:20-4:30 p.m.: Closing - The Power of Entrepreneurship

• Michael Carmona, KCSourceLink

4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Networking