Global Entrepreneurship Network has named Mildred Franco the “Community Organizer for Global Entrepreneurship Week” for Pine Bluff in November.
Franco, executive director at The Generator, is among the network’s official community organizers for 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Week, according to a Tuesday announcement.
A nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., the network facilitates entrepreneurial programming through chapters in countries across the world. Global Entrepreneurship Week is an annual initiative designed to celebrate and empower entrepreneurs in countries, states and communities. To date there have been such events in more than 170 countries, comprising over 35,000 events and 9 million participants, according to the news release.
Through an application process, Franco was selected to be the community organizer of Pine Bluff, with the responsibility of collaborating across the community to host at least one Global Entrepreneurship Week activity during the week of Nov. 16-22, according to the release.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to promote and celebrate entrepreneurship in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County during Global Entrepreneurship Week,” Franco said.
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Franco will join other community organizers from across Arkansas in the state’s first collaborative approach to such events. This year’s focus areas are inclusion, ecosystem, education and policy. With activities ranging from technical assistance workshops, educational experiences, pitch contests, panel discussions and other events that promote entrepreneurship entrepreneurship week will be celebrated the state.
Grace Rains and Tiffany Henry of the Conductor at Conway, are the state coordinators. Their goal is to have a community organizer represented from every region in Arkansas, showcasing to the world that Arkansas is the place where innovators, entrepreneurs and makers thrive, according to the release.
“Entrepreneurial ecosystem building is the future of sustainable economic development,” said Henry, who is also director of Entrepreneurial Communities at the Conductor. “Global Entrepreneurship Week is an incredible framework and opportunity to show the world the impact that entrepreneurs are having in Arkansas communities.”
One of the key elements of the week is the ability for communities to participate regardless of size, location or local entrepreneurial activity.
“The purpose of the GEW is to highlight the unique business owners and assets of the community and provide an opportunity for those curious in entrepreneurship to learn about this valuable component of economic development,” according to the release.
Franco works with The Generator, an innovation hub powered by Go Forward Pine Bluff with the mission to empower makers, dreamers and doers that generate a thriving and inclusive community by providing space, tools and programs to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, according to the release.
For details or to be involved in GEW activities at Pine Bluff, contact Franco at francomildred@goforwardpb.org or 870-939-6898.