Episode 18: John Kavyavu - Why Microcredit is as Important in the US as it is in Africa
John is a Senior Small Business Loan officer and Director of Small Business Lending at Life Asset Inc. a non-profit organization that provides affordable financial services and education to micro and small entrepreneurs in the DC Metropolitan Area. At Life Asset John is responsible for providing outreach to African and Caribbean entrepreneurs who might benefit from Life Asset services, Lending Program Readiness training and to plan and execute a needs-based technical assistance program for the African and Caribbean’s portfolio. John is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Pro-Microfinance International, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that provides Technical Assistance and financial services to local entrepreneurs in DR Congo where he is from. John also serves as Executive Director of Mavuno a non-profit organization with the mission to eradicate extreme poverty in rural areas of Eastern DR Congo (where he is from) through entrepreneurship. Key interview highlights: - Microfinance is needed in America and other developed countries for underserved communities - Microfinance helps to reintegrate felons into economic life as entrepreneurs when they struggle to find formal employment - The importance of proper business record keeping. COVID and the PPP process revealed to many small business owners the importance of proper record keeping to qualify for COVID relief support. Guest contact info/social media: You can find John on LinkedIn if you would like to connect. Thanks for joining us for another episode of the WTF (Africa Edition) podcast. We would love to hear your feedback on the show and how we could improve so please complete the short survey in the show notes. If you would like to be a guest or sponsor the podcast, please contact us at whereisthefunding@gmail.com. Where to find us: Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us grow: Please subscribe, stream or download, leave a rating or review and share your favorite episodes with family, friends, and colleagues. Social Media: Follow the WTF podcast on Instagram and like or follow the WTF Africa Edition podcast on Facebook. Follow hosts on LinkedIn Michelle J. McKenzie and Lydia Nylander Join us for the next episode.