Can You Believe It's Been Five Years?

Thank you for being on

this incredible journey

with us.

As we bring the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge to a close—our largest grant to date and the opportunity that helped launch our organization—we are filled with gratitude for how far we've come and even more excitement for where we're headed.

While this chapter with our funders is coming to an end, our work is just beginning. We remain committed to expanding access to capital and building the support systems our diverse communities need to thrive, today and for the future.

Our mission is at the heart of what everything we do. In order to fulfill this mission of revolutionizing systems and inspiring innovation by investing in Native Women in business, we will need to continue to co-create with and convene with our community to build coalition while honoring our culture, creativity, and connections.

The last few years have building have been so important for Native Women Lead as we continued to expand our reach far across Turtle Island, what is now known as the United States, with our programs and lending. Partnerships with other business-centered organizations and Tribal or Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), in addition to the one with New Mexico Community Capital, have been key in teaching business acumen, supporting small business beyond the Southwest, and growing our network. 

We also celebrated our one-year anniversary at our Albuquerque retreat and headquarters in April, which is our home base to many, including our Sisters in Finance, as some weathered unpredictable circumstances guided by the economy. We hosted our Petals of Wellness in the Workplace programs and training here, and began to hire permanent staff. We also created a Matriarch Council, an elders and seasoned businesses owners advisory group, that serves as a sounding board for programming, and developed a two-part Promoting Lateral Positives programming, which addresses pathways and opportunities to a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship. 

At the heart of it all, especially this past year, was the continuance and strengthening of one of the biggest discoveries through this journey: A strong business acumen also includes a healthy body, sound mind and spirit, and positive social well-being. A healthy business can only be as strong as the healthy people behind it.

Throughout this voyage and our imminent goals, we have learned many lessons, pivoted when needed, but have been very grateful for the support of our funders. 

There is still so much to be done but we have a plan and we will continue to grow together. 

Thank you for being on this journey with us.