Matriarch Response Loan Fund Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Alicia Ortega
alicia@nativewomenlead.com

Native Women Lead Rising and Revolutionizing Systems In The Wake of COVID-19

Native Women Entrepreneurs Will Have increased Access to Capital and Other Business Tools

Albuquerque, New Mexico May 6, 2020 - Native Women Lead (NWL), an organization committed to inspiring innovation and investing in Indigenous Women entrepreneurs announces a suite of opportunities for Native Women including online Transformational Thursday Retreats, a Matriarch Response Loan Fund - a 0% interest character-based loan, and the Matriarch Up Together grant fund.

Since 2017, NWL has convened over 600 Native Women entrepreneurs in an effort to close the racial wealth gap by inspiring thoughtful business practices that honor family, community, and culture. NWL is dedicated to responding to the needs of the network it serves. To that end, NWL and partner organizations launched a COVID-19 survey in March of 2020. Over 100 entrepreneurs representing over 50 tribal nations and a wide array of sectors such as food, service, consulting, and creative economies responded.

The survey showed a majority of entrepreneurs were disrupted by 80-100% due to COVID-19; 71% said their business was their sole source of income, and a majority (66%) identified as women. These entrepreneurs identified their immediate needs and concerns are ensuring they have access to food, shelter (home and/or business), utilities, and a plan to pivot their businesses. They also expressed the need for resources focused on funding, technical assistance, marketing, and crisis management. As the primary economic stabilizers both in their families and communities, it cannot be understated that Native women entrepreneurs are one of the most vulnerable and impactful both living on and off tribal lands.

On May 14, 2020, NWL will kick off their first of six complimentary Transformational Thursday Retreats with First Nations leaders, Jenn Harper, CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, and Jace Meyer, Shopify’s Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurs.

NWL is incredibly grateful to all the partners that have stepped up so that when we can continue to support Native women entrepreneurs with compassion, care, and intention to close the racial wealth gap while honoring the contributions and solutions that the Matriarchs give to support families, communities, and economies.

Stay tuned and follow NWL’s social media channels and website for Transformational Thursday Retreats and other initiatives.

About Native Women Lead

Our Mission is to revolutionize systems and inspire innovation by investing in Native Women in business. We do this by co-creating with and convening our community to build coalition while honoring our culture, creativity, and connections. Our core values (BEWE) reflect our understanding that Native Women are the Backbone of our communities, we are Emerging as entrepreneurs, and we are Weaving our ideas, resources, and community to manifest change while Empowering one another.

NOTE: In unison with these new initiatives, NWL thought it was only fitting to launch an updated logo that is reflective of a new emergence.

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