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Joining us to share her insights is Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of the global nonprofit, Acumen, a forerunner in the fight against poverty. Having grown up as a military kid, Jacqueline has always had a broader sense of what the word ‘home’ meant to her. We start today’s conversation by unpacking how this has influenced her impactful work of solving the problems of global poverty in an interdependent world. Jacqueline also shares her story of starting Acumen, and speaks to the mission of inclusion and freedom behind it.
Part of that mission is to see the status quo changed through the application of real-world problem-solving of a profit-driven world. Jacqueline describes her vision for a more equitable way of living, and offers a view of poverty that goes beyond a lack of financial stability to include mindset and agency impoverishment. She shares her experience of seeing first-hand stories of poverty alleviation unfold, and what she has learned from the African dream of giving back before you grow your own success.
This conversation also delves into issues of global sustainability, fossil fuels, and solar power.
Listening in, you’ll gain a new perspective on what is possible for an eco-friendly approach to power, led by innovation and problem-solving within a global mindset. In closing, Jacqueline challenges listeners to adopt a holistic view of value for every area of life, motivating others to move beyond ideology to enact tangible change in the world beyond them. This conversation is filled with unique and powerful insights from an inspiring thought leader in the realm of social impact. It is not to be missed.
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Key Points From This Episode:
How Jacqueline’s global sense of home has informed her work. [0:01:55]
The founding story behind Acumen, its mission, and its impact so far. [0:05:18]
Patient capital, investment, and how Acumen provides catalytic capital. [0:07:45]
Overturning a status quo that doesn’t want to change, and why it is necessary. [0:08:47]
Navigating a world of focus on profit maximization with an ethos of real-world problem-solving. [0:16:01]
Jacqueline’s vision for poverty alleviation rooted in a view of poverty as a lack of agency. [0:24:14]
What it’s like to experience people’s journey out of impoverished mindsets. [0:27:15]
The role of eliminating fossil fuels in global sustainability and poverty alleviation. [0:29:09]
Adopting a more holistic view of value in reference to all of our systems. [0:34:38]
Moving beyond ideology to make a real-world impact through problem-solving. [0:37:55]
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Tweetables:
“Having built Acumen for 22 years with local teams on the ground has meant building deep relationship and community in the places in which we work, whether it’s Pakistan or East Africa, India, or West Africa, Latin America. Whenever I am in any of those places, I’m home.” — @jnovogratz [0:02:29]
“We were able to create a non-profit global organization whose very mission is to solve big problems of poverty and build a world of dignity.” — @jnovogratz [0:06:04]
“Income is important, but it’s not enough. Poverty is really defined as a lack of agency.” — @jnovogratz [0:24:19]
“That African dream of giving back before you make a lot of money actually has something to teach the American dream.” — @jnovogratz [0:28:35]
“Why wouldn’t we think about values and value in a more whole way when it comes to analyzing whether our investments actually add value to the world?” —@jnovogratz [0:35:48]
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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Jacqueline Novogratz on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-novogratz/
Jacqueline Novogratz on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/jnovogratz/
Jacqueline Novogratz on Twitter — https://twitter.com/jnovogratz
Acumen — https://acumen.org/
Solstice — https://solstice.us/
Development as Freedom — https://www.powells.com/book/development-as-freedom-9780192893307
Blue Sweater — https://www.powells.com/book/blue-sweater-bridging-the-gap-between-rich-poor-in-an-interconnected-world-9781594869150
Manifesto for a Moral Revolution — https://www.powells.com/book/manifesto-for-a-moral-revolution-practices-to-build-a-better-world-9781250798770
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