A CD 1 candidate forum focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, and small businesses
With an emphasis on those led by women, people of color, and other individuals who often face barriers to starting or growing a business.
Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) in Providence’s Davol Square was the location of a forum that sought to allow voters to hear from a number of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination in the special Congressional District One special election on August 8th. The forum was co-sponsored by Social Enterprise Greenhouse, the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hope & Main, and the Center for Southeast Asians.
The forum focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, and issues impacting small businesses and social impact ventures - especially those led by women, people of color, and other individuals who often face barriers to starting or growing a business.
Ten of the 12 candidates running for the Democratic nomination attended the forum, including Gabe Amo, Stephanie Beauté, Walter Berbrick, Sandra Cano, Don Carlson, Stephen Casey, John Goncalves, Sabina Matos, Ana Quezada, and Aaron Regunberg. The event was moderated by SEG’s Julie Owens and RIBBA’s Lisa Ranglin. Nearly 100 people attended.
You can watch the forum here:
Links to the questions and answers:
Question 1: Please describe your view of economic development, something specific you have done to foster an environment in Rhode Island that supports entrepreneurship and economic equity. and share with us how that specific experience will inform your ability to get things done in Washington for Rhode Island's small businesses.
Question 2: As a Congressperson, could you share, specifically, how would you advocate or champion programs that create access to capital for small businesses [and] entrepreneurs and what legislation would you actually champion to create successful Black, minority, and women-owned firms?
Lightning round questions required shorter answers, so they are presented as one link below:
Lightning Round Question 1: You have a friend visiting from out of state, visiting Rhode Island for the very first time. You're going to bring them to one place, it is not a beach. Where do you go?
Lightning Round Question 2: What was the most recent Black or brown retail business or restaurant you shopped at or ate at and what did you buy or eat?
Lightning Round Question 3: What is the single largest barrier to building a small business economy in Rhode Island?
Lightning Round Question 4: Nationally, what percentage of venture dollars do you believe go to Black owned ventures and what percentage go to woman-owned ventures?
Lightning Round Question 5: Name a small business owner who would be part of your kitchen cabinet.
Lightning Round Question 6: Can each of you say something you admire about the candidate sitting to your left?
See my Congressional District One race interviews here:
See my other articles on the Congressional District One race interviews here:
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A CD 1 candidate forum focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, and small businesses