Exchange Program for Entrepreneurs Connects African Nations with Metro Denver

Today I am sharing some insights and photos from a May 21 networking reception held at the Posner Center and organized by World Denver, for six emerging entrepreneurs from Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively.

The reception brought together members of World Denver, the hosting organization, tenants at the Posner Center, as well as the public, to hear directly about the U.S. Department of State sponsored program.  The program is intended further  relations between the U.S. and the African continent

The audience heard from Doug Vilsack, Executive Director of the Posner Center, Karen de Bartolome, Executive Director of World Denver, Douglas Jackson, CEO of Project CURE, as well as from all six entrepreneurs from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Both Bartolome and Jackson thanked the U.S government for sponsoring the exchange program and said it is a step forward in helping develop the entrepreneurial skills needed in building business in Africa today. They expressed appreciation to the families who hosted the visitors, as well as to the companies in Denver where the entrepreneurs spent time improving their trade.

According to Meridian International Center, an organizer of the event, ‘The 2014 U.S. Business and Entrepreneurship Exchange Program aims to strengthen the visiting participants’ understanding of American business practices, entrepreneurship, culture, and values, while also building their professional networks and project development skills so they are better able to bring about positive change in their home countries’