A Transformational Vision: Angel Shuford Unveils "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses℠"
The drive to honor and support military veterans has found a new champion in Angel Shuford, Vice President and CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW). Her bold announcement of "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" signals a transformative shift in how communities, businesses, and policymakers engage with veteran entrepreneurs. This initiative is poised to create lasting opportunities, empowering veterans to thrive economically while fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
A Leader on a Mission: Angel Shuford’s Journey
Angel Shuford’s leadership role at NIVW stems from a career marked by service, innovation, and vision. A decorated U.S. Army Sergeant, she has consistently demonstrated excellence, both on the battlefield and in civilian life. Her military experience, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, has shaped her into a transformative leader who understands the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to the business world.
Angel’s career highlights include co-founding Tech From Vets, an innovative technology development company that provides solutions tailored for veteran-owned businesses. Her work has garnered widespread recognition, including the prestigious BizTech Award from Comcast Business. Through her leadership, Angel has proven her ability to connect vision with action, ensuring that veteran entrepreneurs receive the tools and support necessary for success.
This new pledge aligns with Angel’s overarching mission: to turn gratitude for veterans’ service into tangible action, creating a world where veteran businesses are not only supported but celebrated.
The Inspiration Behind the Pledge
"The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" builds on the success of similar initiatives, such as the VA’s "Mayors’ Pledge to House Homeless Veterans." However, Angel’s vision goes further by focusing on economic empowerment. By addressing the financial, educational, and structural barriers that veteran entrepreneurs often face, the pledge provides a framework for meaningful and sustainable impact.
This initiative recognizes that veterans bring unparalleled discipline, leadership, and resilience to the business world. Yet, many struggle to access the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Angel’s pledge aims to change that by fostering partnerships and mobilizing support across the public and private sectors.
A Comprehensive Framework: What the Pledge Entails
"The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" is more than a statement of intent; it’s a call to action backed by a detailed framework. The initiative focuses on three key pillars:
1. Community Mobilization
Local governments, business leaders, and community organizations are invited to take the pledge and commit resources to support veteran-owned businesses. This includes:
Hosting local and regional events to showcase veteran entrepreneurs.
Allocating public funding to support veteran-led initiatives.
Encouraging municipal leaders to prioritize veteran businesses in public contracts.
2. Strategic Partnerships
Angel Shuford has emphasized the importance of collaboration, leveraging NIVW’s partnerships with industry leaders to amplify the pledge’s impact. These partnerships will provide access to critical resources, such as:
Cutting-edge technology and tools to streamline business operations.
Educational workshops and mentorship programs to guide veteran entrepreneurs.
Funding opportunities through grants, loans, and private investments.
3. Recognition and Celebration
Communities that excel in supporting veteran businesses will be recognized during National Invest In Veterans Week®, inspiring others to follow suit. By shining a spotlight on success stories, the pledge aims to create a ripple effect of support across the nation.
Why Now? Addressing Urgent Challenges
The timing of this pledge is significant. Despite their skills and dedication, many veterans face systemic challenges when transitioning to civilian life. These include limited access to capital, lack of mentorship, and difficulty navigating regulatory environments. By addressing these issues head-on, "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" seeks to empower veterans to overcome these obstacles and achieve economic independence.
Angel Shuford has been vocal about the urgency of this mission. “Every day we delay is a missed opportunity to unlock the potential of our veteran entrepreneurs,” she stated during the pledge’s launch. “This is our chance to create lasting change.”
Angel Shuford’s Vision for the Future
Under Angel’s leadership, "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" is poised to become a cornerstone of veteran advocacy. Her vision includes:
Expanding the Initiative Globally
While the pledge is rooted in supporting U.S. veterans, Angel envisions its impact extending internationally. By collaborating with allied nations, the initiative aims to create a global network of support for veteran entrepreneurs, fostering cross-border collaboration and innovation.
Driving Systemic Change
Angel is committed to ensuring that the pledge goes beyond symbolic gestures. This includes advocating for policy changes that prioritize veteran-owned businesses in government contracts and creating tax incentives for private sector investments in veteran entrepreneurship.
Leveraging Technology for Impact
With her background in technology, Angel plans to integrate digital tools into the pledge’s framework. This includes creating an online platform where veterans can access resources, connect with mentors, and share their success stories.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Angel Shuford’s announcement of "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" represents the latest chapter in her legacy of service and leadership. By turning gratitude into action, she is paving the way for a future where veteran entrepreneurs are empowered to thrive, contributing to stronger communities and a more resilient economy.
As Angel herself put it, “This pledge isn’t just about helping veterans—it’s about recognizing their value and investing in their potential. Together, we can create a world where no veteran entrepreneur is left behind.”
How You Can Get Involved
Participation in "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" is simple yet impactful. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Take the Pledge: Visit National Invest In Veterans Week® to commit to supporting veteran entrepreneurs in your community.
Spread the Word: Use social media to share your pledge and inspire others to join the movement.
Support Veteran Businesses: Seek out and patronize veteran-owned businesses, contributing directly to their success.
Conclusion: Building a Movement
"The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" is more than an initiative; it’s a movement driven by the unwavering leadership of Angel Shuford. By aligning action with purpose, this pledge is setting a new standard for how we support and celebrate veteran entrepreneurs.
Under Angel’s guidance, the potential for this initiative is limitless. As the world watches her lead with passion and purpose, there’s no doubt that "The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses" will leave an indelible mark on the future of veteran advocacy.
For more information about National Invest In Veterans Week®, visit National Invest In Veterans Week.