Today, Michigan Corps unveiled the citizen network of Corps Members who will lead the growth of its groundbreaking "Kiva Detroit" microlending initiative. As part of the announcement, Michigan Corps appointed two new Co-Chairs of Kiva Detroit, Darryl Redmond and Delphia Simmons, and a dynamic Advisory Board that will together lead the community-wide effort.

"Kiva Detroit has already showcased the potential of microlending in the United States," said Anuja Jaitly, co-founder of both Michigan Corps and Kiva Detroit. "Within months, Kiva Detroit has engaged hundreds of Detroiters as lenders to and champions of a wide range of small businesses in Detroit."

Led by a citizen network of Detroiters, Kiva Detroit features small businesses interested in microloans at www.kiva.org/detroit where individuals can lend to the featured entrepreneurs $25 at a time. Founded by Michigan Corps, Kiva Detroit's citizen network also rallies and connects broader community support for the small businesses. Kiva Detroit constitutes the first, large-scale community-led microlending initiative in the United States and was hearlded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the inaugural Clinton Global Initiative America conference in June. Kiva Detroit represents a national partnership among Michigan Corps, Accion USA, Kiva.org, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; the Knight Foundation matches, one-to-one, all citizen lending via Kiva Detroit.

 

"Having sourced one of Kiva Detroit's inaugural businesses, I am especially honored to be appointed Co-Chair of Kiva Detroit," said Darryl Redmond. "I am confident that the Kiva Detroit initiative will continue to be a source of hope and inspiration across Detroit." Redmond, a Pastor of True Rock Church and Coordinator of the BME Challenge, is also a former Detroit police officer, former business executive, and former President of Detroit's School Board of Education.

 

"As the founder of a Kiva Detroit business myself, I know firsthand the role Kiva Detroit's community platform can play in driving entrepreneurial success in Detroit," said Delphia Simmons. "I am incredibly excited to be appointed Co-Chair of Kiva Detroit and look forward to leading our board and citizen network to nurturing small businesses that are rooted in our community." Simmons is Founder of Thrive Detroit, a new street newspaper that was featured as one of Kiva Detroit's inaugural businesses. She is also a leader at the Coalition on Temporary Shelter, a graduate of Bizdom U, and a former first-grade teacher.

 

The full list of Kiva Detroit's appointed community leaders is available at www.kivadetroit.org. The broader Team Kiva Detroit citizen network is listed here. 

 

"Kiva Detroit has already affirmed what is possible when Detroiters are presented with easy, resonant opportunities to lead in our community," said Rishi Jaitly, a co-founder of both Michigan Corps and Kiva Detroit, and a Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. "I am humbled by the leadership of this accomplished group of citizens."

 

To join the citizen network or to be featured on Kiva Detroit, please e-mail kiva@michigancorps.org. All media inquiries should be directed to media@michigancorps.org