3rd Annual Bay Area Disability Entrepreneurship Event November 9th 2023

On Thursday November 9th 2023 the San Francisco Disability Business Alliance hosted its 3rd annual Bay Area Disability Entrepreneurship event located at the elegant Elks#3 on 450 Post Street, downtown San Francisco. 

Artists, entrepreneurs, and small business owners alike convened to engage in a diverse and dynamic FoundAble Panel discussion with Cesar Ramos of Beautiful Losers, Zachary Leyden of Oceanview Stables, and Afatasi the Artist. Founder & Executive Director Peter C. DeHaas facilitated the panel doing a deep dive into what it takes to own a small business, inherent benefits, as well as some of the challenges faced.

Nationally acclaimed disability leader Julie Reiskin, Executive Director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition,  delivered the keynote speech at the event with resounding support of small business ownership as a pathway to self sufficiency through the innovation of self-employment. 

Rodney Fong President & CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce delivered inspiring words about the SFBDA's important role in the economic recovery of San Francisco and how needed their support is in our diverse community. Katy Fitzsimmons of Wells Fargo spoke of the importance of equity as it relates to access to capital and ensuring that individuals with disabilities have opportunities to engage in lending and receiving financial counseling. Film maker Nader Bahu shared his short award winning film "Faith" and received resounding applause.

Executive Director DeHaas recapped the amazing year for the SFDBA and its community and encouraged the audience to celebrate disability inclusion as it relates to employment and small business ownership every day. Several awards were given at the end of the evening starting with the Inclusive Business Award to the Arc of San Francisco. Rome Jones, Chelsea House & Bali Nelson received recognition for being SFDBA Ambassadors. Cesar Ramos, Afatasi the Artist & Connie Chu were awarded Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Renowned photographer Jamie Soja captured wonderful photos throughout the event and the Elk's event coordinator Kimberly Clark of Azure Blue Events provided a stunning space and caterer Derrik Soars of Pop Ups Unlimited provided a delectable selection of food. American Sign Language interpretation was provided by Grace San Miguel and Rob Merino. San Miguel was one of DeHaas' former ASL students at San Francisco State University. 

    

           

    Thank you to the gracious student volunteers from San Francisco State University!      

Thank you to all of our event sponsors and thank you Elks#3 for such an elegant space! 

SFDBA Fall 2023 Updates!

 

SFDBA FALL 2023 UPDATES! 

• Our annual Bay Area Disability Entrepreneurship Event will be November 9th 5:00-8:30pm at the Elks Lodge #3 at 450 Post Street San Francisco. This event will consist of a dynamic panel of seasoned entrepreneurs with disabilities, networking opportunities, resources, art and much more!

• The SFDBA was selected by the San Francisco State University Institute for Civic & Community Engagement for the Community Partnership Award. The awards originally scheduled for this fall, have been postponed until Spring 2024. 

• Executive Director Peter C. DeHaas was chosen to be the keynote speaker for the Department of Occupational Rehabilitations annual breakfast at the Janet Pomeroy center on October 6th 

• The SFDBA in partnership with the Arc of San Francisco and the City and County of San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development has launched its entrepreneurship cohort consisting of 12 individuals with intellectual disabilities

• The Haas School of Business Center for Equity, Gender & Leadership reached out to SFDBA about featuring them for National Disability Employment Month in October. Read article here: https://berkeleyequity.medium.com/sfdba-is-paving-the-way-for-disability-entrepreneurship-in-san-francisco-975dd5a634ca

• Exciting news to come about the SFDBA's pursuit of its 501(c)(3) non-profit status!