Bella Saghian Writ 340

I watched the short documentary “Balancing Humility with Audacity,” featuring Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of Acumen. I really enjoyed the documentary, as it provided a behind-the-scenes view into her life and her book, The Blue Sweater. In the documentary, she shares how she started Acumen, a non-profit organization that seeks to invest in global poverty through patient poverty and sustainable investments. She discusses key concepts, such as impact investing, balancing purpose and profit, and redefining leadership. Her story is inspiring, and she convinces young entrepreneurs that it is possible to earn a profit while maintaining dignity. In the documentary, it is interesting to hear Novogratz’s story on how she went from working on Wall Street to moving to Africa and working in microfinance to serve low-income individuals. She shares her realization regarding the shortcomings of traditional banking sy stems, and specifically their exclusion of low-income individuals. This realizatio...

I read about Acumen and found it to be such an inspiring organization. Acumen is a nonprofit organization that focuses on finding solutions to social inequalities through entrepreneurial approaches, in a way that is both innovative and impactful. They combine profit with purpose, finding ways to create long-term solutions to those in underserved communities. Acumen demonstrates that it is possible to make meaningful change while still being financially sustainable, which is very refreshing in today’s society. They tackle many different issues that address pressing global challenges, while uplifting communities. Acumen Ventures As someone who is particularly interested in venture capital, I found it very interesting to read about Acumen Ventures. What sets Acumen Ventures apart is their commitment to social impact. Unlike traditional venture capital, Acumen Ventures prioritizes social impact alongside their financial sustainability. It is inspiring to see how Acumen Ventures demonstrate...

I found this to be a beautiful quote by Jacqueline Novogratz. I strongly believe that cross-cultural understanding is an important aspect of society, and being able to learn more about other places in the world would truly make the world a better place. I really admire her desire to understand poverty in other countries throughout The Blue Sweater, despite having a steady banking job in New York. Her willingness to leave her comfort zone and immerse herself in the complexities of global inequality is inspiring. She actions demonstrate what is means to be a true global citizen, who not only recognizes global challenges, but takes it upon herself to address them. I think we can all take after Novogratz’s example, and strive to act like global citizens to make the world a better place. This means adopting a global mindset, of curiosity, compassion, and responsibility for the world around us, beyond our own borders. Valuing the interconnectedness of humanity is very important to understand...

While most people crave soups and hot chocolate during winter, I crave sushi. Many switch out their light salads for more comforting foods during the colder seasons, but my craving for sushi stays true — year round, 25/8. Although it may not be a traditional “comfort food,” it is MY comfort food. I eat sushi way more than I like to admit, and at times, my parents are concerned that I may get mercury poisoning from my over-consumption.   Let’s be real, LA’s “cold” seasons aren’t all that cold, but there is a real change in the atmosphere. Especially with the recent daylight savings time shift, LA starts to feel quitier and more reflective. In a place where snow boots just don’t make sense, there is something about having a nice spicy tuna cut roll while cozying up my the fireplace as the city winds down. I know it’s not the conventional winter ritual, but nothing else can quite match this feeling. Some people might look at me funny when I say that, but it is the perfect pairing with...