Blog — Grameen America

Expanding Economic Opportunities with Robert F. Smith

See why Grameen America’s work matters to investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith.

Grameen AmericaNovember 28, 2023

Meet Carmen

Carmen owns a spa business in Jackson Heights, NY. For the past five years, Carmen has used Grameen America loan capital to buy the latest beauty products and new spa equipment to meet her clients’ needs.

Member Story, Featured MemberGrameen AmericaNovember 25, 2023

Meet Norma

Norma took over her mother’s wig business in Los Angeles, CA to carry on her legacy after she passed away. Inspired by her mother’s values, Norma runs her business with empathy, respect, and love. Norma hopes to pass the business down to her sons and generations to come.

Member Story, Featured MemberGrameen AmericaNovember 23, 2023

Meet Maria

Maria has turned her artistic eye and love for crafts into a growing piñata business in Oakland, California. Inspired and named after her two children, her piñata business has taken off through word of mouth in her community.

Member Story, Featured MemberGrameen AmericaNovember 21, 2023

Jennifer Lopez, Grameen America's National Ambassador, Returns to The Bronx to Mentor Women Entrepreneurs and Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Jennifer Lopez, the National Ambassador for Grameen America, made a special trip back to her native Bronx to provide mentorship to 20 Latina women entrepreneurs participating in the program.

Grameen AmericaOctober 6, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month: Finding Community in the Los Angeles Fashion District

To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, we are spotlighting seven Grameen America members who run businesses in the Los Angeles Fashion District. Starting as friends and neighbors, these women have embraced each other as family while dedicating themselves to uplifting their community every day.

Member StoryGrameen AmericaSeptember 20, 2023

The Grameen Promotoras Program Scales its Impact to Provide More Women Entrepreneurs with Health Education and Access to Quality Care

The Grameen Promotoras program provides Grameen America members with health education, access to care, and direct support. Former sister organization Grameen PrimaCare and its Promotoras program will now exist as a unified entity with Grameen America to improve women’s health outcomes and reach even more low-income women with health support.

Grameen AmericaSeptember 6, 2023

Grameen America Joins BeyGOOD Foundation’s Black Parade Route, Advances New Partnership to Provide Entrepreneurial Women of Color with Affordable First-Time Loan Capital

Grameen America is partnering with global icon Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s BeyGOOD Foundation to offer small business owners and entrepreneurs of color access to affordable capital and business support as part of BeyGOOD’s Black Parade Route Small Business luncheons.

Grameen AmericaJuly 21, 2023

Etsy and Grameen America Announce Strategic Partnership to Increase Access to Business Capital and Financial Education for Women Entrepreneurs in Financially Underserved Communities

$3 million in new loan capital provided by Etsy offers access to affordable microloans for low-income women across the country to start or grow their small businesses. An additional $1.5 million in grant funding accelerates Grameen America’s efforts to bring financial education, training, and resources directly to women of color.

Grameen AmericaJune 22, 2023