Innovation is For Everyone: Welcoming Newcomers to RI

Newcomers to the United States share common dreams and goals of finding belonging, education, and meaningful career paths. Join us for a conversation on the American immigration experience showcasing the innovators and startups making the process easier for immigrants to Rhode Island. Register here to attend. 

11:30 AM | Cultivating Innovation: Informal Conversations with RI’s Economic Gardener

Join us for an informal conversation, led by Tuni Schartner, Executive Director of Venture Café Providence and Rhode Island’s economic gardener. Every week Tuni will lead the conversation with thought leaders from around Rhode Island touching on a number of topics important for innovators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Rhode Island.

12:00PM | More Than a Business: Immigrant Entrepreneurship in Rhode Island

As the national conversation on immigration continues to create an “us versus them” mentality, it’s important to understand immigration within a human context: what are the experiences of the immigrants who have shaped our communities and enriched our economies?

Join Ana González, host of Mosaic, The Public’s Radio’s podcast on immigration, for a talk on immigrant entrepreneurship in Rhode Island with special guests Conroy Outar, owner/operator of JA Patty food truck, Charlie Chin, owner/operator of Asia Grille, and Jennifer Nazareno, Assistant Professor of Public Health and Entrepreneurship at Brown University.

1:00PM | A Place for Everyone: Supporting Immigrants through Innovation

Immigrants and refugees often face unforeseen challenges to business development and entrepreneurship in the US. These challenges include language, culture, and regulatory barriers. In this session, Wilkin Sanchez of RIGHT, William Yang of Belong Here, and Teddi Jallow of the Refugee Center discuss their work with immigrant entrepreneurs to drive innovation. Moderated by Adriana Dawson.