Philanthropist, Composer, and Musician Peter Buffett to Host
a Private Concert and Conversation to Benefit “CNN Hero”
Non-Profit Rising Tide Capital

On November 2nd at 6:00 p.m., philanthropist, Emmy-award winning
composer, and musician Peter Buffett will host a private concert and
conversation to benefit Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit dedicated
to transforming disadvantaged communities and lives through
entrepreneurship. The event, “RISE: A Celebration of
Entrepreneurship,” will feature a food festival showcasing Rising
Tide Capital’s entrepreneurs. The food festival is being organized by
Midnight Market, a small business co-founded by a Rising Tide
Capital Community Business Academy graduate.
“We are proud to support the transformative work that Rising Tide
Capital is doing in some of our nation’s most economically
vulnerable communities,” stated Peter Buffett, co-president of the
NoVo Foundation. “The work of Rising Tide Capital aligns perfectly
with the mission of the NoVo Foundation in that we are committed to
developing the capacities in people—individually and collectively—to
help create a more equitable society. Providing programs and
resources to help underserved entrepreneurs to start, sustain, and
grow businesses can offer a powerful pathway for people to lift
themselves out of poverty and improve their own communities.”
risingtidecapital.org

“We are immensely grateful to the Novo Foundation, under the leadership of Jennifer and
Peter Buffett, for its long-time support in helping us to build more inclusive economies
through entrepreneurship,” said Alfa Demmellash, co-founder and CEO of Rising Tide
Capital. “The meaningful work that we do is only possible because of the support of
individuals and organizations that share our values and believe in our vision. Our
collaboration with Jennifer and Peter and the NoVo Foundation will enable us to have a
greater impact on the communities that we serve and to replicate our work in
economically marginalized areas across the United States. We are proud that the
graduates of our nationally recognized Community Business Academy experience a 64%
increase in business sales, a 47% increase in household income, and a 56% reduction in
the use of public assistance.”

“RISE: A Celebration of Entrepreneurship” is taking place on November 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at
Harborside Plaza 3 Atrium in Jersey City. In addition to the concert and festival, the 10
finalists of the 2017 Start Something Challenge will be recognized, and they will receive
$25,000 in small business grants presented by JPMorgan Chase. Over the past 6 years,
over 500 individuals from across New Jersey have entered the competition and the
winning entrepreneurs have been awarded with approximately $150,000 in grants to
support and grow their businesses. Principal sponsors of the event are JPMorgan Chase,
NJ Advance Media, RWJBarnabas Health, Silverman, and TD+Partners.

RTC is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey with offices in Newark and Orange. The
organization is also in the South Side of Chicago through a replication partnership with a
local non-profit. RTC has four primary programs: the Community Business Academy, the
Start Something Challenge, Credit to Capital, and Business Acceleration Services. All of
these programs are aimed at helping entrepreneurs to achieve self-sufficiency, thrive,
and deliver value to their communities. RTC’s model is unique in that it offers ongoing
mentoring and support to ensure sustainability. RTC’s work has been recognized by CNN,
the World Economic Forum, and President Obama at the White House.

To learn more about RTC, visit www.risingtidecapital.org.

Media Contact
Tara Dowdell
201-413-5220
tara@taradowdellgroup.com