Rebekah: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Our vision is to create a future where everyone has health, wealth, and fulfillment in life, regardless of their background, and our mission is to fearlessly transform lives through inspiration and innovation. If you’re a girl or woman, or someone who identifies as non-binary, a person who menstruates or is assigned female at birth, despite making up over 50% of the population you are still underserved, underrepresented, and undersupported throughout your life. Traditional education is falling short when it comes to health, work, and money, societal barriers are systemically deep-rooted, and many public and private institutions and organizations aren’t taking action to make a positive change. And that's where This Independent Life comes in.
Michael J. Bobbitt: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! The creative sector relies heavily on grants, causing financial instability. As a state agency, our value lies in driving systemic change: shaping policies, fostering cross-sector relationships, and promoting education. Breaking silos between arts and other industries can create a more financially stable and inclusive creative landscape.
Shirley: It’s great to be here, Spiffy! The Partnership Fund for NYC's goal is to lead NYC toward a stronger, more inclusive future. We invest in innovative entrepreneurs who are contributing to a more robust and inclusive economy in NYC. Our investments focus on two categories. First, expanding opportunity—we prioritize initiatives that create jobs and support social entrepreneurship, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Second, sparking innovation—we facilitate the growth of emerging industries so that NYC is at the forefront of innovation, remains a hub for exceptional talent, and is positioned for the future.
