Amir Kirkwood’s Monthly Update – February 2023
Want to know what’s on our CEO’s mind this month? Find out below!
Partners and friends,
For all of us at VCC Social Enterprises (VCCSE), 2023 began with a busy January. Following a year marked by both deep impact and strong economic performance, I am energized by the level of staff engagement with investors, customers, and the communities we serve. For many of our neighbors, 2022 also brought continued struggles with COVID-19, housing affordability, job security, and other challenges. Whether we are working with foundations in Richmond or helping develop and manage small business credit enhancement funds in Kansas City, we are seeking new opportunities to drive impact.
At the end of this month, VCCSE will complete our 2023-25 strategic plan and begin its implementation. The plan is a product of an inclusive, collaborative process that engaged our staff, board of directors, investors, customers, and partners. Through this project, we have learned a great deal about how the different business units within our organization can collaboratively extend the depth of services we provide in the communities where we work.
We will share more about our strategic direction when we publish our annual Social Impact Story in late April. You’ll learn about our goals to deepen the integration of our financing and advice to ensure we provide equitable lending and fund management practices. We will recommit to deeper impact in Virginia communities while advancing the national work of LOCUS and the Community Investment Guarantee Pool (CIGP). Finally, we will increase our commitment to put partnership first and strive to ensure that our work is community centered and based in collaboration with local partners.
In addition to the internal development of our 2023-2025 strategic plan and implementation of our 2022-2024 DEI Strategic Plan, we have been in the field meeting and reconnecting with our partners. I’ve enjoyed accompanying my team in convenings with various collaborators across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. We are thankful to be gathering in-person with partners and community members again.
Looking forward, I am most grateful for the shared commitment of our team, board of directors, and diverse partners to VCCSE’s mission. With each note this year, I look forward to sharing with you the stories of impact occurring in communities with which we are fortunate enough partner.
Amir Kirkwood
President & CEO
VCC Social Enterprises