Louisiana Night at A Show Of Hands

Please join us on Friday evening June 7 from 6-9pm at A Show Of Hands,  in Alexandria where EWI board member Hurricane Howie Feinstein will  be performing Louisiana roots music on piano and accordion for a special exhibit of arts and crafts from Louisiana.

The exhibition will feature the paintings of the late Emily Johnson Bain, a teacher and art educator who spent much of her career in Louisiana and Texas. Mrs Bain’s daughter, Carolyn Bain, is working with A Show of Hands organizing a showing of her mother’s work.

A  Show Of Hands is a delightful gallery in Alexandra’s Del Ray arts district located on 2301 Mt. Vernon Ave. Co-owners Pat Miller and Maria Wasowski have created a shop that represents the diversity of local artists by providing them with a venue to showcase and sell their unique, handcrafted artwork. They continue to be wonderful supporters of EWI.

There will be beverages and light food, CDs, Mardi Gras beads, and who knows what else? Free-of-charge for all. Pass the word on and see you there!

EWI gets visibility through RaiseForWomen Campaign Milestone and The Huffington Post

Many thanks to all who contributed to Empowered Women International through the online giving event: RaiseForWomen hosted by The Huffington Post, The Skoll Foundation, and Half the Sky Movement.

With your support, so far, we raised $2,293, and a gift of exposure from HuffPostImpact through their Facebook and Twitter accounts (see the prizes below).

The campaign will continue until June 6, and the next bonus challenge started at today for $4,000. Here’s the deal…

The charity that raises the most by May 27 @ 12pm ET will get an additional $4,000.  

Please share our link http://www.crowdrise.com/GiftFreedomandOpportunity/fundraiser/empoweredwomenintl with your friends and help us meet our goal of$15,000 by June 6. 

Many thanks for all your support and dedication to the cause of Empowered Women International.

Learn more about the prizes here. http://www.crowdrisepromos.com/raiseforwomen/index.html

Upcoming Event! “What Color Is Your Money?”

Renowned CPA, International Chartered Accountant and our ETS Financial Coach Tope Ganiyah Fajingbesi is officially launching her book entitled “What Color is Your Money?.” The event will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, DC 20001.

The program will begin at 6pm and end at 8pm. Get ready to find out your money color is and how to rock it, hear the story of the “2 Benjamins” and get some free gifts! There will also be opportunities to buy signed copies of the book at the event.

Admission is free and you can bring your friends along, but please take a second to RSVP at

http://ourfinancialcoach.com/events/

A High Energy Day at the WVEC Conference!

EWI could not have been more proud to be a part of empowering veteran entrepreneurs this week at the WVEC Conference. Hosted by our friends and supporters at Capital One, a huge thank you goes to Nancy Stark, Senior Manager of Community Development Banking at Capital One in McLean, VA for inviting us to this extraordinary event. We met with many new friends from the ever-so-splendid Count Me In, the main presenter and organizer of the event, and all enjoyed a high energy day full of growth and vision in the empowered women’s entrepreneurial endeavors.

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro-businesses into million dollar enterprises. Count Me In has inspired tens of thousands of women to take control of the potential of success by providing a wealth of virtual tools and resources, live competitions, and a variety of peer exchange platforms all designed to help women business owners substantially and sustainably
increase revenues and create new jobs.

Jami McDowell (Community Partnerships Intern), Kate Campbell Stevenson (EWI Board), and Charmelle Clark (Spring ETS Student). Not show but in attendance were Dianne Lorenz (Chair, EWI Board), Lizzie Clark (Spring 2012 Grad), Winter Walker and Rashunda Bailey ((Fall 2012 Grads)

Women Veteran Entrepreneur Corps (WVEC), an exciting new business growth initiative for women business owners who are veterans or spouses/domestic partners of veterans. WVEC targets women looking to grow their small businesses quickly and sustainably, ready to create new jobs, and contribute to economic growth in their community.

The morning started with a wonderful introduction by the keynote speaker as well as the Founder and President of Count Me In, Nell Merlino. Nell provided wonderful insight and encouragement for being strong leaders and moving forward with the sometimes daunting task of starting a new business. During the afternoon, the participating WVEC participants presented their business pitch to a panel of judges.

The women were critiqued and given some wonderful advice and feedback by Heather Cox, Executive Vice President of U.S. Card Operations for Capital One Financial Corporation’s domestic credit card business. The women were competing with their pitch to be able to participate in the Count Me In Business Accelerator Program, a 9-month curriculum designed to help women business owners with $50,000-$150,000 in annual gross revenues reach $250,000+ within 18-36 months. This program is FREE to all Awardees and valued at $3000. Designed and delivered by People Biz, Inc., the program utilizes an effective combination of group coaching and training in business education, expert support and peer accountability.

At the end of the day, all women were winners of the Business Accelerator Program which was a pleasant and well deserved surprise to all that made the effort!

By Jami McDowell, Community Partnerships Intern

Synthia’s Home Party – A Perfect Day for a Perfect Event

On Saturday April 17th, one of our board members, Synthia Woodcock-Dang opened her home to welcome friends and acquaintances to introduce them to EWI. The home party was to include an artisan marketplace, light refreshments, sharing information vital to our mission, and some fun times.

Synthia’s dining room turned into an EWI marketplace

When I showed up at the house in Silver Spring, Maryland at about 10am, a welcoming Synthia led me to the dining room where Marga and Alexia were already setting up shop, and Velma adorning her dress forms with her colorful and vibrant aprons.

As I rushed to help them finalize the set up, Synthia’s guests started showing up and were immediately drawn to the displayed products. Some were interested in Mercedes’s jewelry, others were into Velma’s’ aprons, Mariam’s colorful bags, and Elda & Lyzbeth’s D’Ellizia cake pops. Others were interested to hear how EWI impacted and transformed the lives of women entrepreneurs.

Velma’s colorful, one-of-a-kind aprons

Mariam’s Kanga cloth handmade bags

By 12pm Synthia’s kitchen was full to its capacity with more guest coming in to pleasantly socialize and sign up on our mailing list. Synthia took center stage to address the guests and make a formal introduction of herself, who has been a long-time supporter of EWI and has been involved in numerous ways, and to introduce Marga and EWI.

Taking up after Synthia was Marga who slowly and clearly conveyed her goals, visions and the back-story of EWI’s conception.

Marga sharing her story

Elda & Lyzbeth showcasing D’Ellizia Fun Caks

She also took time to introduce our graduates who shared their personal struggles, what led them to EWI and life transformations after the programs, while at it you can discern our guests faces gushing astonishment and awe at the amazing stories they were hearing.

After the presentation, Synthia led the guests out in the backyard for some light snacks and lemonade, with smooth jazz playing in the background, breeze caressing our souls, and an amazing garden waiting to embrace us all.

Refreshments in the beautiful backyard

Saying it felt like paradise could be an understatement; it was the perfect day for a perfect event that inspired strength, possibility, and accomplishment. It highlighted the indomitable endurance of all women, and the inspiration of EWI’s women entrepreneurs.

ETs grads, staff, and board members with Synthia (second from right)

Thank you Synthia for opening your doors to EWI and being such a gracious host! And thank you to all the guests who were there who made the day memorable and blessed. It was a great day.

By Hanna Yamir, Program Associate Intern

Maggio + Kattar Founder’s Day Benefit a Success!

A huge thank you to Alix Mattingly, James Alexander and John Nahajzer of Maggio + Kattar for hosting a benefit to celebrate Empowered Women International and showcase our women micro-entrepreneurs.

James Alexander & John Nahajzer

The event marks a milestone in our pursuit of building a community of givers and our mission to turn immigrant, refugee and low-income women into self-sustaining and thriving entrepreneurs.

Marga & Steve Pattison of Maggio + Kattar

As firm believers in EWI’s mission and women’s potential to be the next business leaders, Maggio + Kattar , a prominent immigration law firm in Washington, DC, stood by our side promoting our work and supporting our women as they shared their  success stories.

Our entrepreneur graduates Velma, Aida, Mariam, Paulette, Nadia and Tacha were there to showcase their art and businesses, while Tacha and her band performed for all in the audience.

Tacha, Mariam, Velama and Marga

The whole event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our donors, board members and volunteers. We are here because of your relentless support and contribution. We received many positive comments and also heard that many of you had ideas of communities, foundations and businesses we can partner with, and we welcome your referrals and introductions.

Last but not least a huge shout out to Pepco Edison Gallery for offering the beautiful gallery space and for tirelessly supporting us to host one of our many events.

ETS graduates, volunteers and staff

We thank everyone who made it possible!

IRC Hosts 1st Annual Job Fair

EWI was honored to have been invited by the International Rescue Committee to participate in their 1st annual Job Fair in Silver Spring, MD. The International Rescue Committee or “IRC” provides opportunities for refugees to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of refugees are invited by the U.S. government to seek safety and freedom.  Forced to flee conflict or persecution, many have survived for years against incredible odds. They step off the plane with next to nothing but their dignity, hope and determination.  In Silver Spring and many other regional offices, the IRC helps them rebuild their lives.

 In addition to over 103 refugees and asylees, 16 local area businesses set up tables with displays, giveaways, and plenty of job applications to  fulfill their hiring needs. EWI brought a slightly different offer to the table: a chance to utilize the skills and passions they bring as individuals to start-up their very own micro-businesses.

There was initially confusion as it was explained that EWI was not looking to hire, but rather to inform about the opportunity to be a part of EWI’s “Entrepreneur Training for Success” as well as the new “Grow My Business” program. Once the reality that they too, as refugees, had the opportunity to launch and sustain micro-businesses and micro-services, their eyes lit up with joy! Many refugee women have tremendous skills, talents, and educational backgrounds but are living in isolation and poverty.

Empowered Women International is thrilled to have a hand in creating jobs, sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship and leadership among immigrant, refugee and other women in need by providing the business acumen, self-confidence and market opportunities needed to launch and sustain micro-businesses in the cultural industry.

Thanks to the efforts of the IRC and all who were involved, the Job Fair was a wonderful success. We are looking forward to seeing the growth of this fantastic event in the years to come!

-Empowered Women International

Join us this weekend at the MCC Modest Beauty Day!

If you’re thinking of how to enjoy this Saturday’s beautiful weather, come join us at the 2^nd Annual Muslim Community Center’s Modest Beauty Day on April 6th in north Silver Spring, Maryland.  This exclusively women artisan marketplace (and women only allowed at the venue) will host vendors coming from different parts of the world exhibiting and selling their creative and artistic products and services.

EWI will be present featuring its very own graduate entrepreneurs Mariam Mohamed, Aida Mady, and Kamila Barbour with their own exhibit tables. As you search for the perfect item you can also stop by Rina Hafiz’s to get free facials, or be part of a women empowerment workshop or just sit back, and enjoy the fashion show presenting the latest trends and handmade textiles coming from the Middle East, India and many more. We hope to see you there!

Location: Muslim Community Center (MCC) 15200 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905
Time: 2-7pm

Facebook: Modest Beauty
Website: mymodestbeauty.com

“Unseen Leaders” Spark Conversation & Create Change

Event Details: “Unseen Leaders of DC”

Where: Policy, 1904 14th Street NW
Washington DC

When: Wednesday, April 17
from 6:30-9:30 pm

Partnering with #SocEntDC, DC+acumen is honored to present the first “Unseen Leaders of DC” panel event. This exciting evening will highlight 5 innovative social entrepreneurs in the Washington, DC area, all of whom aim to inspire positive change within the local community via social business.

Velma Crawford, founder and creator of “Veez Ties That Bind“, will represent EWI as a panelist. She brings to the panel wonderful insight and experience with EWI’s Entrepreneur Training for Success program as a former student and graduate.

These social entrepreneurs may not currently be in the public eye, but they certainly deserve the spotlight for their efforts to create an impact in the city in which we all live.

As a chapter, DC+acumen aims to spark conversation about the local effort to create change. This event will be an open dialogue with the opportunity to hear from the panelists, ask questions, and interact with other attendees. We promise you will walk away motivated to pursue your own wildest ideas and have a stronger sense of the community that exists in DC.

Admission:

Price of admission includes extended happy hour food specials until 8 pm, $3 to $5 drink specials until 9 pm, specialty cocktails, music by DJ Kyle Knauff and more. All proceeds will go towards Acumen Fund.

Agenda:

6:00 PM     Doors open

7:00 PM     Panel begins

8:30 PM     Post-panel Happy Hour co-hosted by #SocEntDC. Free for all #SocEntDC members and  partners.

Moderator

Hanae Baruchel, Venture Director at Ashoka

Panelists

Brian Carome, Executive Director, Street Sense

Christopher Bradshaw, Executive Director, Dreaming Out Loud

Alia Peera, Site Director, BUILD

Velma Crawford, Founder & Creator of Veez Ties That Bind & Entrepreneur Training for Success Graduate,  Empowered Women International

Upcoming Featured Event – Spring 2 Action!

APRIL 17 – Get Ready for Spring2Action I One day online giving

Remember last year when we reached out to you nonstop for one day to help us raise funds to support our work? For a whole twenty-four hours on one day, the whole city of Alexandria sprung into action and gave and gave to all us charities… It was a great day. Because of you, our donors and supports and volunteers. You helped make EWI history.

We exceed our own goal in dollars raised and donors rallied. EWI placed 2nd with the most number of donors and 3rd place for the most dollars raised. We raised $24,000 in one day. ACT for Alexandria is taking us all to task again this year with their exceptional fundraising marathon, set for April 17th.

This year we’re raising the stakes because we believe in the power of your support, the power of our capacity, and the power of the women we support.

Are you ready? We ARE. Read more