SEQUOYAH FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 CONNECTED SEQUOYAH FUND 2016 2016 was a year of connections for Sequoyah Fund LETTER FROM RUSS Dear Stakeholders: Connections to New Markets The Authentically Cherokee program is gaining 2016 was a year of connections for Sequoyah momentum, accessing markets outside tradition- Fund. As a Community Development Financial In- al sales channels. Artists are now able to directly stitution (CDFI), our role is more than just a lender; access the tourists who visit The Gilded Basket in after all, “Community Development” comes first the heart of Harrah’s Casino. They are also able to in our description. That aspect of what we do was sell globally through the Authentically Cherokee. prominent in 2016, as we focused on connecting com website. Our next step is to help other types our clients to resources, new markets, and other of businesses reach new markets. clients. CONNECTED Connections to Other Clients Connecting Clients to Resources Our clients are stronger when they work together. Sequoyah Fund clients often need more than mon- Sequoyah Fund has the unique ability to connect ey – they need to be connected with consultants local businesses that buy from and barter with one and other experts, academic programs, peers, and another, share expertise and experiences, and TO ONE different forms of capital. In 2016, we renewed and work together to build their businesses and the strengthened relationships with the Small Business local economy. Centers located at the area’s three community LEFT: “The Smokies Awaken” colleges, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Execu- We look forward to continuing making connections Jeremy Wilson Photography tives), and other area CDFIs, all while maintaining in 2017 and beyond, because all of us are stronger our strong relationship with our closest resource than each of us. ANOTHER partner: The EBCI Enterprise Development Office. Cordially yours, Part of our strength lies in knowing what we are not capable of, and being able to point clients in the right direction to have their needs met by compe- Russ Seagle tent, capable, no-cost/low-cost resources. Executive Director 3 SEQUOYAH FUND 2016 CONNECTING PEOPLE AND MONEY members with knowledge and skills so they can ABOVE: Youth PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS responsibly manage their money. Sequoyah Fund Entrepreneurship campers with their handmade offers money management classes, one-on-one Youth Entrepreneurship white oak mats. Sequoyah Fund believes that investing in our youth credit counseling, budget assistance training, bud- LEFT: Campers enjoying population is a critical step to self-sufficiency for get preparation and debt management services to a day zip lining in our people. In 2016, we worked with over 150 encourage a strong financial understanding among Nantahala Gorge youth, teaching them about entrepreneurship and community members. financial literacy. Our annual youth camp focused on art businesses to show participants how creativ- This year we partnered with the Temporary As- ity can lead to financial success. The youth learned sistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to the business side of art and how to create art from provide budgeting assistance to close to 35 com- two successful Cherokee artist entrepreneurs. munity members. In addition, we provided financial wellness information to K-12 students of Cherokee This year, our Kituwah Savings program grew to Central Schools at three different fairs throughout reach a cumulative 52 students and continued to the year. raise awareness of financial education in our youth population. Since 2013, students as young as Open Office: Shared Work kindergarten age at Kituwah Academy participate Space For Entrepreneurs in the Kituwah Savings Program where they gain Sequoyah Fund’s Open Office program continued experience in saving money. Sequoyah Fund and to be successful in 2016. Designed to provide First Citizen Bank visit the school twice a month to low-cost office space and access to equipment, receive students’ deposits and talk with them about technology, and resources for entrepreneurs, our the power of savings. The students also participate Open Office program supports the growth of local in an annual bank visit to gain an understanding of businesses. This year we received funding to pro- how their money is protected. vide training and marketing support to our Authen- tically Cherokee program. The money was used Financial Wellness to purchase photography equipment and creative The role of financial education is to provide a software, which will help to build the capacity of pathway to self-sufficiency by equipping our tribal our local art entrepreneurs. 5 SEQUOYAH FUND 2016 PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: AUTHENTICALLY CHEROKEE Through a unique and fruitful partnership with ONABEN, a nonprofit organization that works to increase opportunities for sustainable economic growth in Native American communities, Sequoyah Fund has continued to grow and deliver our Authentically Cherokee program. Authentically Cherokee creates an environment where Cherokee artists can thrive. Our program delivery includes access to various lending products and capacity building activities for participating artists, as well as several sales platforms where the artists can put their newly honed skills into practice. By connecting our local artists to these resources, we can connect the rest of the world to our Cherokee culture. PHOTOS: Art market, Asheville Art Museum Spring 2016. Connecting to Global Markets the Cherokee word for mud dauber, a type of wasp This summer our Authentically Cherokee program that builds its nest from mud, and according to reached a major milestone by launching an online Cherokee legend, taught our people how to make gallery where shoppers from around the globe can pottery. The event was held to celebrate Cherokee purchase unique handcrafted pieces created by potters and featured several artists, demonstrations Cherokee artists. We started by featuring six artists, and lectures, including an interactive clay area for and by the end of the year we grew our artist col- children to use. laborative to include three additional participants. The artists played an integral role in developing the Through an innovative collaboration with Harrah’s site by writing content and providing feedback on Cherokee Resort, we began offering a line of site design. The Authentically Cherokee artists use Authentically Cherokee merchandise in the Gilded their own techniques and incorporate their individ- Basket, a retail shop at the casino. The line includes ual style into each piece sold through the on-line a mixture of traditional and contemporary hand- gallery, which features a variety of items such as made items, as well as artist-created shirts, mugs, basketry, prints, jewelry, sculpture, and pottery. and other lower cost items popular with travelers. This year we sold merchandise with a retail value of We were excited that we had a sale within the $12,000 to the casino and plan on continuing our first week of going live, and within a few months partnership in 2017 with additional items and more CONNECTED completed a total of seven sales worth $784. artists. While the new site is gaining traction, we antici- pate continued growth. From the time of launch to Capacity Building & Capital year-end, which was only four months, the Authen- This year we continued to assist our Authentically tically Cherokee site had 1,600 unique visitors that Cherokee artists in developing their business skills TO CULTURE viewed over 4,000 pages. In addition, the site was with a focus on on-line marketing. We offered two profiled in a regional newspaper. trainings – one on crafting biographies for the web and another on creating product descriptions. The Connecting to Local Markets content developed by artists in these trainings was In 2016, our Authentically Cherokee program placed on the Authentically Cherokee website. continued to provide local sales platforms for In addition, we disbursed seven loans to artists Cherokee artists. In partnership with ONABEN, totaling $108,050. The artists used this capital for we hosted the 3rd Annual Authentically Cherokee equipment and supplies, studio renovation, travel Marketplace at the Asheville Art Museum where expenses, entry fees, and marketing. 11 artists showcased and sold their work. We also co-hosted the Didanisisgi Pottery Festival with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee One Visit: Feather, and Qualla Arts and Crafts. ‘Didanisisgi’ is authenticallycherokee.com 6 SEQUOYAH FUND 2016 LOAN CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: JEREMY WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY Although Jeremy Wilson has been an active pho- appropriate pricing structure, create marketing Every photogra- tographer for only three years, his photographs strategies, and implement a time management pher is different. express a level of quality and style indicative of a system. Everyone sees seasoned professional’s work. He focuses primarily life differently. on nature, landscapes, portraits, and weddings Although Jeremy’s original focus was on nature and likes to expose things that people can’t pro- and landscapes, there was a strong demand for Whatever your cess with the naked eye, such as moving water, portraits so he expanded his line. This growth lifestyle is, and flapping bird wings, snowflakes, or the night sky. thrust him into learning about shooting indoors. It however you see Jeremy feels that a successful photograph is one was a challenge at first, but Jeremy taught himself the world, is how that speaks to the viewer. He strives to create an about aperture, ISO, shutter speed and how they your photos will emotional connection and give the viewer a feeling worked together to create the right indoor lighting. that they are there – in the photograph. Jeremy’s look. You can photography connects the viewer to Cherokee “I never took any classes, and I never read any always tell how culture. books. I just simply tooled around with the camera a photographer until I learned what I needed,” says Jeremy. views life by how It all started in 2012 when Jeremy was going they take a photo.