Neighborhood
Asheville • April 1-2, 2025
A Deep Dive into Local Entrepreneurship
Join us this November in the scenic city of Asheville for a transformative gathering, "Catalyzing Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystems." This two-day event is meticulously designed to focus on advancing local entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for social and economic change.
Engaging Sessions & Workshops:
Investing in Entrepreneurs
Dive into the mechanics of funding entrepreneurs at various stages of their business journey.
Faith-Based Entrepreneurship
Learn how faith communities are catalyzing social change through innovative entrepreneurial practices.
Reparations Playbook
Examine successful models from reparations initiatives across the country and learn about actionable strategies that have led to significant outcomes, helping communities move towards healing and equity.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Learn to build supportive environments with frameworks that foster local entrepreneurship, from solo entrepreneurs to shared ownership.
Federal Climate Initiatives
Examine how to leverage federal funds for local climate action initiatives that also support economic development.
Innovative Food Systems
Be inspired by creative entrepreneurs on the leading edge of innovating sustainable solutions within their local food economies.
Who's Joining Us?
This event brings together a diverse group of forward-thinking leaders, including social entrepreneurs, impact investors, philanthropists, faith-based organizers, policymakers, and community advocates. United by a common goal to foster economic justice and sustainable community development, participants are ready to share insights, innovate solutions, and catalyze action that drives real change in local economies across the nation. Join us to connect with these change-makers who are not only addressing systemic challenges but are also crafting the future of economic empowerment.
Investors
who understand the cost of doing good
Entrepreneurs
like local businesses, and minority entrepreneurs whose work needs catalytic capital
Philanthropists
like catalytic foundations and other mission-focused funders
People of Faith
who want to build a more just economy
Local Leaders
who are working on community economic development to create thriving, inclusive neighborhoods
Speakers Include
Joe Minicozzi • Stephanie Swepson Twitty • Wilson Lester • Tracey Greene-Washington • Saket Soni • Jonathan Brooks • Havell Rodrigues • Matt Raker • Andrea Golden • Steve Dubb • Tara Brown • Andrea Duvall • Cathy Cleary • Will McGuire • Patton Dodd • Andrew Crosson • Michael Shuman • Mark Boyce • Cindy Thompson • Luke Lingle • Jeremiah Robinson
Lodging
We’re excited to offer a special discounted rate at The Foundry Hotel for Neighborhood Economics attendees! Use the link below when booking to secure your room at a reduced rate. The Foundry is directly behind the event venue, offering a stylish and comfortable stay with a touch of Asheville’s historic charm. Don’t wait—rooms are limited!
Schedule
Monday, March 31
4:00 – 8:00 Pre-Registration and Welcome Party
Tuesday, April 1
8:15
Registration & Breakfast
Fuel up and get ready for the day ahead.
9:00
Opening Plenary
Kickoff session with inspiring voices and big ideas.
10:45
Faith-Based Food Response
Congregations are using kitchens as hubs for local food security.
Hard-Won Lessons from Entrepreneurs
Successful entrepreneurs tell what it takes to make it today.
Network Cooperatives for Community Wealth Creation
Two networked cooperatives are creating community wealth faster than the old heroic entrepreneur model.
12:00
Lunch on Your Own
Explore Asheville’s incredible local food scene! Take this time to grab a bite, connect with fellow attendees, and soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
1:15
Food and Faith
A pastor and an immigrant-led coop created cross-cultural community.
Commercial Real Estate for Community
Community-owned real estate can create neighborhoods that buy back the block.
Understanding the Capital Stack
An overview of the funders at the conference and where your enterprise might fit.
2:30
Mobile Food Sovereignty for Climate Resilience
Food sovereignty through hyper-local food production increases climate resilience. Launching in redlined neighborhoods creates reparations.
Faith-Based Entrepreneurship 101
How to create and support entrepreneurs in your congregation.
Funding the Invisible
Funders often can’t see or hear groups outside the mainstream. Neighborhood Economics brings those invisible groups to the table.
3:45
Bioregional Resilience
The Bio Fi movement, represented locally by Regenerate Asheville, invests patient capital in resilience in Western North Carolina.
What’s Working in Faith-Based Entrepreneurship
Successful entrepreneurs tell how they built meaning-filled businesses that help a community thrive.
What Investors Look for in Early-Stage Businesses
Investors need to see that you have a path to revenue that will pay them back; learn how to tell that story.
6:00
Evening Party
Unwind, connect, and celebrate with great company, food, and music!
Wednesday, April 2
8:15
Registration & Breakfast
Fuel up and connect before diving into another day of insightful conversations.
9:00
Opening Plenary
Kick off Day 2 with big ideas, bold strategies, and fresh inspiration for building thriving local economies
10:45
The Bill Has Come Due
Joe Minicozzi’s talk at Neighborhood Economics in San Antonio caused the community to wake up to unfair taxation. people are taking action.
Non-Profits Learning to Be Free
Non-profits with earned income are learning to get free from restrictive program grants that may cause mission creep.
How to Build Your Business
Marketing, bookkeeping, capital: the questions you need to answer.
12:00
Lunch on Your Own
Explore Asheville’s incredible local food scene! Take this time to grab a bite, connect with fellow attendees, and soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
1:15
Insuring Your Neighbor
Mutual insurance works when the corporates abandon your community.
Faith-Based Housing Solutions
Churches are building single-family homes for teachers, cops, and other essential workers to solve the workforce housing dilemma.
Local Funds on the Path to Partnering
From being strangers to potentially becoming unlikely allies, three funds get to know each other.
2:30
Helping Local Growers Thrive in Disasters
Local growers, a distributor, and the Red Cross create a model where local growers can supply the big post-disaster feeding systems.
Faith, Land, and Housing
BeLoved Asheville is replicating its system of extremely affordable housing on nine acres in Swannanoa, the epicenter of Helene’s impact.
Philanthropic Investing in Community
The Common Cents grass roots philanthropic investing platform lets groups who can only raise $5,000 create an investment fund for their cause.
3:30
Closing Plenary
Reflect, recharge, and leave inspired to take action in your community.
Why Should You Attend?
Gain insights from leaders who bridge the racial wealth gap through innovative entrepreneurship and community-driven financial solutions.
Connect with like-minded practitioners, impact investors, and policy-makers, all committed to fostering sustainable economic environments.
Explore an extensive range of effective tools and platforms showcased at the event. Learn about new funding mechanisms like the guarantee fund that matches crowdfunding efforts, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their operations significantly.
Asheville combines, rich cultural heritage with a progressive spirit, making it a hub for innovation and community-driven change.
Tap into a wealth of expertise, resources, and a supportive network tailored to both large-scale federal programs and grassroots community initiatives.
Venue
The Historic YMI Cultural Center
We are honored to host this regional conference at the YMI Cultural Center, one of the nation’s oldest Black cultural institutions. Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, the YMI has been a hub for Black entrepreneurship, arts, and community empowerment for over a century. More than just a venue, the YMI embodies the spirit of economic resilience and local ownership that is at the core of our work. By gathering in this historic space, we honor the legacy of Black business leaders while fostering conversations that will shape the future of equitable entrepreneurship.
Conference Organizers
Rosa Lee Harden
Executive Producer
Kevin Jones
Event Curator
