Local Asset Building Advocate Finalist in the Marigold Ideas for Good Contest!

Venus Lockett’s “Idea for Good” Could Net $5,000 Grant for Her Local Asset Building Project! She Needs Your Votes! 

 “Most of us know how difficult it can be to get funding for a start-up business or grassroots organization, so we have to get creative, search for and take advantage of opportunities that we find out there. I entered our project in the "Marigold Ideas for Good" with the hopes of winning funding to help launch our empowerment project” said Venus Lockett, Founder of Urban Asset Builders. 

“We want to help some urban entrepreneurs and low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals to build their assets in credit and savings so they can invest in their dreams and/or start their businesses with their own skin in the game,” Lockett said. 

The contest is national and inspired by Catalino Tapia who emigrated from Mexico to the United States at the age of 20 with six dollars in his pocket. He built a successful gardening business and today, at the age of 64, he runs a scholarship fund to help Latino youths have a chance at the American dream. Catalino is one of hundreds of individuals to work with Encore.org, an organization that provides pathways for individuals in the second half of life to start projects that make a difference in the world. 

In conjunction with Encore.org and Road Scholar, Participant Media and TakePart.com encourages following in the footsteps of Catalino, hundreds of other Encore.org participants, and the characters in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by submitting ideas to the Marigold Ideas For Good Contest. 

Five winners each month (from April to October) will receive a $5,000 grant toward their project, and one grand prize winner each month will receive an educational or service-learning adventure via Road Scholar. 

“I was notified last week that I made the top 15 (I had to go through a phone interviewing process, as well as a background check before being selected). Now, all we have to do to win one of the $5,000 grants is make it to the top "5" and depending on how many public votes we get; that will help to determine if we’ll get there. We hope to get the community involved in voting,” Lockett said. 

Venus is an Asset Building Coach “Ms. ABC” and the Founder of Urban Asset Builders (UAB), an organization created to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and low-to-moderate income individuals. 

“I've had conversations with MANY who have negative or no credit and are looking for ways to legitimately improve their profiles so they can begin to realize their dreams. These are teachable moments and opportunities to empower,” she said. “UAB was born as a result of the need I saw not only to empower individuals to build their assets in credit, but in savings as well so they can invest in their dreams and build long term assets or start their businesses.” 

“I have also seen a lack of knowledge of the available resources and programs that would be of benefit. I have been a purveyor of that information and a connector to those resources and I see opportunities to collaborate with other organizations in these areas. I am committed to helping others achieve their dreams.” 

UAB offers an array of products and services that complement their programs and workshops. They provide: asset building education related to credit building and saving, financial education, entrepreneurial training, and life skills coaching that supports and strengthens success.  

The public voting period accounts for 50% of the overall decision and ends on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 5pm pt.  Individuals can vote once every 24-hour period, not once per calendar day (if you vote on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., you have to wait until Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. to vote again).  To vote for Venus follow this link.  *A Facebook account is required to log in to TakePart and vote. Individuals without a Facebook account will not be able to vote.  You can also join the league of supporters on Causes and get details about the project and submission on UAB’s website. 

For more information Please contact:

Venus Lockett

Urban Asset Builders Inc.

678-653-5345