1st quarter 2010 News

January 28, 2010

St. Louis Microfinance Meeting - minutes available

*Next meeting is March 19, 2010 at National City Bank in Kirkwood

January 22, 2010

Justine Petersen hosts documentary screening

Pursuit of the Dream: Building Credit for Life- Annie E. Casey Foundation

The screening was followed by a panel discussion exploring the roles that government and nonprofit leaders can play in helping low-income families build good credit. The documentary is the latest in a series produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and highlights how low-income individuals can save money and build up assets.

Speakers and panelists include:

• State Senator Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis
• Irene Skricki, Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Vikki Frank, Executive Director, Credit Builders Alliance
• Lewis Roberts, Program Manager, Citi MicroFinance
• Robert Boyle, CEO and Founder, Justine Petersen

View Media Advisory and Press Release

View documentary introduction by Irene Skricki

Panel Discussion

Part 1: Lewis Roberts, Vikki Frank and State Senator Robin Wright-Jones reflect on the documentary

Part 2: Vikki Frank moderates questions and comments from audience members, Pam Ross- People's Bank, Dr. Rush Robinson - St. Louis College of Health Careers, Maurice Washington - Better Family Life, Treina Lind - St. Louis Community Credit Union, and Larry Ross - SCORE.

Part 3: Galen Gondolfi, Senior Loan Counselor, Justine Petersen leads discussion linking documentary to the FDIC finding that St. Louis has the highest percentage of un-banked African-Americans. Anitra Nevels, City of East St. Louis and City of St. Louis Alderman Marlene Davis and reflect.

Part 4: State Senator Robin Wright-Jones leads discussion on relevant legislation.

View the documentary, order copies of the DVD and read the discussion guide