The Native CDFI Network, a national advocacy and policy organization, is launching a new weekly online series about creating economic opportunities for Native communities.
The new series, called NCN Live, will feature industry experts and policymakers discussing a wide range of topics — from government policy and new federal programs, to data equity, philanthropic funding initiatives and economic development success stories in Indian Country. Webisodes of the hour long series will run every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. EST, and viewers can register via Zoom to watch and ask questions.
The new NCN Live series is designed to expand the power of Native CDFIs as they work to grow economic opportunity for Native peoples, according to Pete Upton, interim CEO Of NCN. He expects the topics covered and conversations with thought-leaders will attract a broad audience of tribal leaders, policymakers, state and federal officials, foundations and other minority CDFIs.
NCN Live kicks off on Feb. 2 with an webisode highlighting the Community Builders of Color Coalition’s work to ensure that minority communities — including Native American communities — can benefit equally from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. Panelists include: Lenwood V. Long, Sr. of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs; Pilar Thomas, a partner at the law firm Quarles & Brady, LLP; and Tina Poole Johnson, deputy director and senior fellow at the Center University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy.
In the coming weeks, NCN Live will host Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Economic Development Noel Andrés Poyo; Casey Lozar of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the Center for Indian Country Development; and Richard “Rico” Frias, executive director of the Native American Financial Officers Association (NAFOA).
