For Black History Month, Kiva had several sources who agreed to match the loans to black-owned businesses in the United States.
The deal was for one day only - this day - and, even though I had a post-it on my kitchen cabinet, the opportunity nearly escaped me.
It was after 11 PM when I found my way onto the site and the pickings were slim.
Most of the businesses were car-rental establishments...
nah, that did not appeal to me.
However, one featured an invention - that's more my speed!
Moreover, it involved making music - oh, yeah, sounds good!
(Get the little pun? Yes, that was intended!)
(smile!)
So, the winner of my money is: Electrospit!
Here's a little bit about this woman-owned and black-owned business.
"A loan of $15,000 helps a black & women-owned business retain employees and build an award winning musical instrument.
Bosco's story
I was born in Ghana, West Africa, and raised in Portland, Oregon to a family of engineers and musicians.
At family gatherings, my grandma played the trumpet and my mom taught us math games.
I've been producing music since winning some music equipment in a breakdancing contest at 10 yrs old.
The journey's led me to Tonight Show appearances, #1 billboard hits, and Grammy nominations.
I fell in love, got married, had a kid, and moved from LA to Oakland.
I've experienced first hand the challenges and instability of a career in music, but I was determined to stick with my passion.
While searching for a new way for myself and other artists to make a sustainable living from music, I discovered the Zoo Labs Music Residency Program and Music Tech Incubator.
With some key mentorship from Zoo Labs (and a Kiva loan we repaid in full), I leveraged my USC Mechanical Engineering degree and Music Production experience to invent a new musical instrument and co-found the World's 1st Black and Women-Owned Music Tech Hardware company: ElectroSpit Inc.
This loan is special because:
It helps a repeat Kiva borrower continue to grow their business."
I was born in Ghana, West Africa, and raised in Portland, Oregon to a family of engineers and musicians.
At family gatherings, my grandma played the trumpet and my mom taught us math games.
I've been producing music since winning some music equipment in a breakdancing contest at 10 yrs old.
The journey's led me to Tonight Show appearances, #1 billboard hits, and Grammy nominations.
I fell in love, got married, had a kid, and moved from LA to Oakland.
I've experienced first hand the challenges and instability of a career in music, but I was determined to stick with my passion.
While searching for a new way for myself and other artists to make a sustainable living from music, I discovered the Zoo Labs Music Residency Program and Music Tech Incubator.
With some key mentorship from Zoo Labs (and a Kiva loan we repaid in full), I leveraged my USC Mechanical Engineering degree and Music Production experience to invent a new musical instrument and co-found the World's 1st Black and Women-Owned Music Tech Hardware company: ElectroSpit Inc.
This loan is special because:
It helps a repeat Kiva borrower continue to grow their business."
Very nice demonstrations of the instrument, too, on their website.
There was one snag, though.
The money I put forward was to have been matched, but it was not.
Still, I did my part, in honor of the 32nd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival.
I think Sam Johnson would most definitely approve of my choice.
This one's for you, kid!
(smile!)
