SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Janie Barrera, CEO and president of LiftFund, is urging South Texas residents to tune in to a webinar to learn how small businesses have fared during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
The webinar takes place Dec. 14, 2020. The title of the event is: Small Business: Virtual Town Hall and will feature two sessions.
The first session will include stories of resiliency, innovation, and strength from small business owners navigating 2020. The second session will feature state legislators getting ready for a potentially tough legislative session. An economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas will focus on trends in the economy.
The webinar is free to attend.
Asked why LiftFund is hosting the webinar, Barrera said: “This year has been very difficult for small businesses in our community; they’ve faced unprecedented challenges, adjusted their business models, and innovated to navigate through the economic implications of the pandemic. We want to conclude this challenging year with stories of resiliency and inspiration. Our Town Hall webinars are a great way to elevate the voices of small business owners and share their journey of resiliency and strength.”
Asked why the webinar is important, Barrera said: “Small businesses are the engine of our local economies. They add vibrancy to our communities, provide needed products and services and employ our neighbors. Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, and it will have a positive ripple effect in our communities.”
LiftFund is a nonprofit whose mission statement is to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources. It also aims to provide leadership and innovation to the micro-lending industry.
Barrera pointed out that LiftFund is a designated community development financial institution, or CDFI. She noted that CDFI’s are working in communities across the United States to provide affordable, responsible credit, create and sustain jobs, and to stabilize communities.
CDFI loans finance community businesses, including small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofit organizations, commercial real estate, and affordable housing, Barrera explained.
“LiftFund provides funding and business education to help small business owners launch, grow and scale their businesses. We are standing strong with small businesses and helping them navigate these challenging times,” Barrera added.
Panel Information:
First Session: Monday, December 14, 2020, 10 – 11 a.m.
Panelists include: Pilar Gonzalez, owner of Dip it By Pilar; Shanthi Rajaram, owner of Amazech Solutions; Reggie Martin, owner of Lemond Kitchen. The moderator will be Cary Clack, of the San Antonio Express-News editorial board.
Second Session: Monday, December 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
Panelists include: State Rep. Christina Morales, District 145; State Rep. John Raney, District 14; Blake Hastings, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Janie Barrera, President & CEO of LiftFund. The moderator will be Jonathan Gurwitz, Vice President of KGBTexas Communications.
Editor’s Note: Click here for more information about LiftFund’s webinar and how to register.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows LiftFund’s headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo credit: San Antonio Report).
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