OPEN TO ALL
Tuesday, March 20
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Columbia Business School
3022 Broadway, Uris Hall, Room 333
New York, NY 10027
How can we make markets more accessible and competitive to enable individuals to find their own way out of poverty? How do we effectively promote entrepreneurship through government policy, private sector business practices, and social sector advocacy? What are the risks and challenges for micro and small enterprises in rural settings?
Join us for a ten-minute film screening of Zaza Rising and a panel discussion on making markets work for underserved communities through micro and small enterprise development, featuring:
- Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, Permanent Representative to Rwanda’s UN Mission
- Karen Yelick, CEO of Indego Africa
- Leslie Labruto, Global Energy Lead at Acumen
- Lora Romano, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Blue Marble Organic Ice Cream
- George Franklin ’18BUS, Founder of Baobab Circle
- Brigit Helms, Senior Advisor at DAI
About Zaza Rising
This short, ten-minute documentary tells the timely story of one Rwandan woman’s courage, strength, and hope for a better tomorrow. Christine Nyirahabimana started a small bakery in rural Rwanda, hiring 10 HIV positive, single mothers as her employees. Despite incredible odds stacked against her, she is a beacon of light for her community and an inspiring example of how one individual can effect change and break generational cycles of poverty through social entrepreneurship.