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Hi !
Summer is finally here in the Nothern hemisphere! For me, the sun and heat couldn't come soon enough. Coming out of a stretch of cold months, the warmer weather brings a freedom of sorts...no coats, just go outside as you are. As I think about the recognitions this month, the throughline that comes to mind is freedom.
Our celebration of Juneteenth, marked an important moment in American history when the last of the enslaved persons in the United States gained their freedom. And in celebrating the strength, contributions, and voices of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, we recognize the freedom to find joy in being who you are and were born to be. Freedom isn't about agreeing with the choices that others make, it's about believing in the right of each person to make the choices that they believe are best for them. We must also acknowledge that we each experience different levels of freedom in the lives that we live day to day, and some of us may not feel free at all, so celebrations of freedom can be bittersweet.
Let's continue to lift each other up as we climb. Together, we can make a difference.
- Jill & the IFEL Team
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IFEL EVENTS |
Be the Change! Join a Capital Circles Group to Get More Founders Funded Faster
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Join us in expanding access to capital for more small business owners, entrepreneurs, and founders. We are officially launching the Capital Circles initiative this fall to accelerate access to capital through the power of localized community activation. If you are willing to share your expertise, make connections, or invest your dollars, we invite you to join us in this effort to build a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where bold ideas get the support they need to thrive. Sign up for an upcoming Capital Circles information session to learn more.
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| Learn more about Capital Circles.
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Fuel Impact Through Angel Investing:
Join the Pipeline Angels Fall 2025 Cohort
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Applications for Pipeline Angels Fall 2025 Angel Training are open!
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Join us for a Virtual Open House to learn more.
This is your opportunity to learn why angel investors are an essential component of a healthy startup ecosystem and why diversity with the investor community matters. Learn about our unique training program, hear success stories, and understand the critical role that angels play in shaping the products and services that exist in the world.
Event: Pipeline Angels Open House (virtual)
Date: June 27, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Zoom details provided upon registration.
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| Register to learn more about Pipeline Angels training.
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IFEL In The Ecosystem |
Dinner, Dialogue, and Driving Change in ATL
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IFEL CEO Jill Johnson traveled to Atlanta recently to meet changemakers who are shaping the future of investing and entrepreneurship. Pictured left: Jill with Anna Cable and Kelsey Russell. Pictured right: Jill with Pipeline Angels members Radina Russell and Avanti Paul.
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Taking Action |
The Pipeline Angels Fall 2024 Cohort backs three amazing founders!
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We’re excited to share that from nearly 60 Pitch Summit applicants, the Pipeline Angels Fall 2024 Cohort made investments in three powerhouse founders:
🌿 Kimba Williams, Kushae – The first OB/GYN-developed, all-natural feminine care line.
🎬 Carolyn Pitt, Productions.com – A game-changing platform connecting media professionals to opportunity.
🧠 Dr. Lonna Hardin, Voiceblocks – An AI-driven tool empowering neurodiverse learners and their support systems.
These bold founders stood out for their innovation, impact, and purpose. The Pipeline Angels community is proud to support them!
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| Learn more about Pipeline Angels.
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Justworkers Make Time to See the Power of Possibility in Small Businesses
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We recently partnered with the incredible team at Justworks to host one of our most exciting in-person events yet! Entrepreneurs showcased their ideas in front of a live audience, a panel of expert judges, and a community of engaged professionals. One of those judges was Justworker Mira Shane, whose journey with us is nothing short of inspiring. Seeing her return as a judge for this competition was a powerful reminder of how meaningful and lasting
volunteer experiences can be.
“Having the opportunity to sit down with business owners and engage in meaningful conversations about their challenges is incredibly impactful for our employees. It helps them [employees] understand how their work directly contributes to our mission.” - Mira Shane
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| Learn more about Justworks.
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40 Dreams Catering Hosts ZingTrain in NJ including Three IFEL Business Owners
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A long-time member of the IFEL community Adrienne Fudge, CEO of 40 Dreams Catering, brought ZingTrain expert trainers to NJ for an unforgettable day of learning. IFEL sponsored three business owners to
participate through our ZingTrain Fellowship program which is generously supported by individual donors.
The IFEL ZingTrain Fellows expect to see immediate impact:
We are so proud to support their journey to strong leadership and business growth! Thank you to the donors who have funded this program.
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| Read the full article.
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Information to Share
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Ask the Expert:
Mastering Brand Storytelling & Crafting Narratives that Resonate
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Thursday, June 26
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Virtual Event
Learn how to:
✅ Uncover the heart of your brand story
✅ Connect emotionally with your audience
✅ Communicate values with clarity and consistency
✅ Turn mission and vision into memorable messaging
Perfect for entrepreneurs, marketers, and purpose-driven leaders ready to elevate their brand voice!
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| Learn more and register.
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The 2025 Cartier Women’s Initiative is now open for applications! This global program supports women impact entrepreneurs with up to $100,000 in funding, world-class training, and access to an international community of changemakers. Applications close June 24.
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| Learn more and apply.
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Keep Learning |
Did you know...
Juneteenth is observed on June 19 and becomes a federal holiday in 2021. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It's a day to reflect, learn, and celebrate Black history and culture. Learn more >>
June is Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City—a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Today, Pride is celebrated across the country through parades, events, and conversations that uplift inclusion and equality. Even small acts of allyship can help create a more welcoming world.
Thanks to our friend Natalia Oberti Noguera, founder of Pipeline Angels for sharing the following: Language shapes inclusion. Trans women and cis women are both women—so phrases like “women and trans women” or “women-identifying” can unintentionally exclude. Similarly, “folks” is already gender-neutral; adding an “x” isn’t always necessary. Let’s stay open to being called in—especially by those whose identities are most under threat. Learn more >>
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Copyright (C) 2025 Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. All rights reserved.
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership is a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.weareifel.org. You are receiving this information because you requested information about or enrolled in a program of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Our primary mode of communication will be through email. If you choose to unsubscribe, you will not receive the information that you need for the program in which you enrolled. If you no longer wish to receive information from us however, you may use this link to
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Our mailing address is:
Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership 550 Broad Street Newark, NJ 07102-4539 USA
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