Jessica Norwood is Building an Economy She Can Love
By Nichole M. Christian, Narrative Shifter
Jessica Norwood is Building an Economy She Can Love
When it comes to the voice and visions of Jessica Norwood, Ambitio US is admittedly biased about this trailblazing leader.
But come this October, Norwood’s name and her notions about the need to rethink and redesign economic equity in America are sure to be topics on the minds of many with the launch of her new book, Believe in You Money.
Norwood is the founder and CEO of Runway , an Ambitio US grantee focused on establishing more generative and community-anchored funding pipelines for BIPOC entrepreneurs in Oakland, Chicago, Boston, and across the American South. In the book, Norwood details six distinct ways capital can be used by all as a powerful tool for addressing racial injustice, drawing on interviews with fellow wisdom keepers, investors, scientists, artists, lawyers, faith leaders, and financial activists. Combined with her history of leadership in finance, Norwood shares insights intended to fuel “a movement of resources to invest in Black joy, creativity, and brilliance.’
“This book,’’ Norwood tells Ambitio US “ is a both a testament to the ancestors who invested all that they had in us because they believed in a future where they would be loved and a shout-out to each of you who taught me the power of investing early and lovingly in Black innovators and creators — we are the change we have been waiting for! ‘’
Our partners at Next City also recently interviewed Norwood for an in-depth look at some of the thinking that shaped her debut book and continues to guide her work as a new systems builder.
Here are a few snippets of what Norwood had to say about her reimagining of America’s economic future through a more “loving” and unapologetically Black lens determined to help spark and literally boot-strap social repair. “An economy that loves Black people sees you; it knows what’s happened in your life,’’ Norwood tells Next City. “ It’s already saying, “I want to get you moving in this space. And I want to give you the most generous and loving and thoughtful start.”
While Ambitio US will be following along and of course cheering the Oct. 10th official launch of “Believe in You Money,” we’re thrilled by the opportunity to help others get excited too. In fact, Norwood’s request of all who choose to purchase her blueprint is aimed straight at hearts and philanthropy’s most open minds.
“I would ask every person to sit with this and think about where we are in the world and what would make us more loving to one another. What would bring us more humanity? What can we do that could be generationally impactful and immediately impactful? How can we invest in people’s visions and dreams?’’
She adds: “It’s also important to tell the truth about how we got here and how this financial system really works; the ways that our financial institutions have been created around exploitation and violence. If we don’t tell the truth about that, then we can’t correct it.’’
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
New Fellow Joins the Fold
By Nichole M. Christian, Narrative Shifter
Ambitio US is pleased to welcome Nyia Hawkins as the initiative’s first-ever fellow.
Hawkins comes to the new role, and the Center for Cultural Innovation, after a long career in broadcast journalism, where she specialized in business and economics coverage. “The fellowship is giving me direct experience related to integrated capital and impact investing tools that are rooted in real-life examples,’’ says Hawkins. “It’s energizing.”
Prior to joining, she worked as Cheddar News’ Executive Producer for Special Projects. Hawkins has also reported and produced content for China Global Television Network (CGTN ) and the Associated Press.
In her role as the Ambitio US Fellow, Hawkins will work closely with Ambitio US Director Cate Fox. “We are delighted to have Nyia as our inaugural fellow,’’ Fox said. “In her previous career as a journalist, she became curious about how those economic systems could be reimagined in ways that center communities most extracted from. She is leaning into that curiosity with a deeper exploration of impact investing and how everything from the investment terms to the investments themselves can be values-aligned and further the goals of community self-determination.’’
Hawkins, a native of Indiana, earned an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. “This is a career transition for me,’’ Hawkins explains. “Ambitio US is investing in me the way we invest in our grantees/investees. It’s a compliment and a vote of confidence that I’m running with.”
Her burgeoning passion for understanding impact investing shows up in other areas of her career. Hawkins previously led initiatives aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and advancing economic and racial equity in Latin America through narrative change.
Fox says Ambitio US funders and grantees can expect to hear more from Hawkins as she pairs her past experiences with new hands-on knowledge in her role.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →