Podcast: Welcoming America Series

Immigrants make up roughly 1-in-5 of the business owners in America. They are shop owners, freelancers, side-hustlers, and more. Together they contribute millions of jobs to the economy each year. Many local leaders are working to ensure that their cities and communities are welcoming to immigrants. But there are a variety of challenges immigrants and people of color face, particularly when it comes to starting a business that provides steady income for their families. During September (Welcoming Week), we will host conversations with people working to build up their local economies. In some places, the coronavirus pandemic has added an extra layer of complexity to what were already difficult circumstances. But entrepreneurs—in particular those from other countries—still believe in the promise of opportunity that our nation brings. How are we as a nation helping to ensure those opportunities?