It's not every day that we get to edit a press release from the White House. We are geeked to help break the news that Amy Kaherl and Detroit SOUP are being honored today as "Champions of Change," one of 12 people across the country to get this inspirational award.
Here you go:
On Tuesday, June 4, the White House honors Amy Kaherl as one of twelve people who are Crowdfunding "Champions of Change." This Champions event will focus on entrepreneurs who exemplify the promise of crowdfunding to fuel the growth of startups, small businesses, and innovative projects across the Nation. "Crowdfunding" means raising money in small increments from many individuals, typically using an Internet platform. Donation-based crowdfunding is already empowering many entrepreneurs, while investment-based crowdfunding platforms will soon be facilitated by the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, which the President signed last year and the SEC will implement.
"The Champions of Change that the White House is honoring today are using crowdfunding to create jobs for our nation's veterans, accelerate the deployment of solar energy, revitalize our cities, and expand the frontiers of citizen science," said Thomas Kalil, Deputy Director for Technology and Innovation for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "Crowdfunding is the 21st century equivalent of barn-raising. We can use it to help our neighbors and fellow citizens start a business, enrich our culture, and apply grassroots creativity and imagination to challenges big and small."
The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.
To watch this event live, go
here today at 2:30 p.m. To learn more about the White House Champions of Change program and nominate a Champion, go
here.
Amy Kaherl is the Director of Detroit SOUP. She received her MA in Theology (emphasizing in popular culture) in 2008 from Fuller Theological Seminary. Detroit SOUP is a microgranting dinner that celebrates creative projects in the city and has helped Detroiters giving back to Detroiters through over $30,000 towards art, social justice, social entrepreneurs, education, technology, and urban agriculture. While not running SOUP, Amy is also involved in planning the Nain Rouge Parade in Midtown and serves as DJ Amy Dreamcatcher with a monthly party called "Nothing Elegant."