MBC as Missouri State Coordinator for GEW

 This year, from November 8-14, 2021,  Global Entrepreneurship Network will celebrate 13 years of helping millions of people unleash their ideas to start and scale new businesses through Global Entrepreneurship Week. The campaign began in 2008 with an emphasis on inspiring young people to make their mark and has quickly grown to become a comprehensive effort that engages entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, support organizations and others collaborating to advance economic growth and innovation in more than 170 countries around the world. 
 

The Multicultural Business Coalition is working with GEN for the second year as the Missouri State Coordinator of Global Entrepreneurship Week.  The state coordinators tapped by GEN encourage hundreds of organizations throughout their state to plan and conduct activities during GEW USA. In this capacity, we also play a key role in connecting resource organizations and ecosystem stakeholders to expand awareness and deepen our collaborative activity.  We’re working with a great team of Community Organizers across the state, representing Kansas City, St. Joseph, Joplin, Columbia, Springfield and St. Louis.  

Meet our Missouri Community Organizers!

• Adrienne B. Haynes, President, Multicultural Business Coalition
• Jenny Miller, Network Builder, KCSourceLink
• Paige Oxendine, Assistant Director, efactory
• Tasha L. Pettis-Bonds, Director, Women’s Business Center, Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, Inc. 
• Ken Surbrugg, Business Development, Missouri SBDC at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU)
• Annette Weeks, Executive Director for Centers of Business, Missouri Western State University 
• James A. Whitt, Director Supplier Diversity Program Development, City of Columbia, Missouri

This year's themes are:

• Ecosystems. Activities in this category aim to inspire communities to collaborate and share their networks and markets to help rising startups thrive. This theme celebrates the shared challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship communities and hubs around the world.
• Education. Activities in this category shine a spotlight on partners, activities and thought leaders who are shaping the way we educate and train nascent entrepreneurs around the world. 
• Inclusion. Activities in this category highlight the work startup champions are doing around the world to minimize barriers and obstacles for entrepreneurs by maximizing inclusion. This theme celebrates diversity in all forms, including women and youth in entrepreneurship.
• Policy. Activities in this category highlight the work of governments and policymakers to help entrepreneurs everywhere start and scale.