RIBBA Launches ‘Leadership Speaker Series’ to Commemorate 10 Years in Business
Series will launch with a ‘The State of Rhode Island’s Black Economy & Business’ panel event on Tuesday, April 27th from 6-7:30 pm
Providence, RI – April 13, 2021 – The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), a 10 year-old non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned businesses in RI, announces a virtual event series to commemorate the important role RIBBA has played in supporting and growing Rhode Island’s Black businesses over the last 10 years. The series will bring together outstanding leaders from the private, government and nonprofit sectors to discuss economic recovery and development.
The series will launch with a panel event on Tuesday, April 27th from 6-7:30 pm on ‘The State of Rhode Island’s Black Economy & Business’. The panel will discuss the Black-American recovery and the importance of Black business development efforts.
The panel will offer insight from the following economic, business, and investment experts:
- Melissa Husband: RI Deputy Secretary of State/Director of Administration – RI Department of State
- Anthony Rust: Impact Fund Manager, BEI Business Equity Fund; Chair of the Investment Committee, Warren Wilson College
- R. Anthony Rolle: Dean, Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies – University of Rhode Island
- Angela Ankoma: Vice President Executive Director of Equity Leadership – Rhode Island Foundation
- Moderator: Robin Gibbs: Regional Director, Office of International Advancement – Brown University; Board of Director Member at RIBBA
RIBBA’s vision is to create a more equitable business environment where all businesses and professionals can grow and thrive. Their founding, in March of 2011, came after community and local leaders mobilized to tackle issues affecting small businesses in underserved cities. This group conducted both community input sessions and random sampling to fully understand the gaps and priorities for effectively fostering minority small business efforts. RIBBA has worked over the last 10 years to provide Black and minority businesses with access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development.
“We are proud to launch the Leadership Speaker Series with a panel event highlighting the future of the Black Economy, the role Black businesses can play in the economic recovery, and the need for a transparent and equitable playing field,” said Lisa Ranglin – Executive Director of RIBBA. “Black businesses are the backbone of the Black community, but for far too long have had minimal access to investment and opportunity due to historic oppression and structural racism.”
To register for the event, click here. To learn more about RIBBA membership, programs, or services, contact amanda@ri-bba.org.
About RIBBA The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development.
Our vision is to create a more equitable and sustainable business environment in Rhode Island. Our purpose is to leverage the region’s core assets to find solutions in the areas that matter most to the business and community: quality jobs, quality growth, and quality of life for all.