Checking in with Mt. Airy’s Immigrant Innovation Hub

“Around the Corner” is a PhillyCAM show that offers local social impact leaders the opportunity to share what impact their work is having on the Philadelphia area. 

Almost a year ago, community development corporation Mt. Airy USA launched the Philadelphia Immigrant Innovation Hub — the Knight Cities Challenge winner that aimed to be an immigrant-centered, place-based solution to economic development.

Immigrants aspiring to start their own businesses could come to the Northwest neighborhood to learn business basics in a cohort of likeminded peers with access to funding. Since it opened in February, the Hub has hosted 39 app developers, food service providers and others — including, surprisingly, a few collaborative businesses that have resulted from relationships formed at the Hub.

Generocity Editor Julie Zeglen checked in with Managing Director Sarajane Blair and Executive Director Brad Copeland on “Around the Corner” to hear about what they’ve learned and how they’ve pivoted to better serve the immigrant entrepreneur population.

PhillyCAM is Comcast channel 66/966 HD/967 and Verizon FIOS channel 29/30 in Philadelphia.