Ideas worth spreading

TED2009

February 2009

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An escape from poverty

Jacqueline Novogratz tells a moving story of an encounter in a Nairobi slum with Jane, a former prostitute, whose dreams of escaping poverty, of becoming a doctor and of getting married were fulfilled in an unexpected way.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join Acumen in helping to create a world beyond poverty.

Jacqueline Novogratz tells a moving story of an encounter in a Nairobi slum with Jane, a former prostitute, whose dreams of escaping poverty, of becoming a doctor and of getting married were fulfilled in an unexpected way.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join Acumen in helping to create a world beyond poverty.

About the speaker

Jacqueline Novogratz

Founder and CEO of Acumen

See speaker profile

Jacqueline Novogratz works to enable human flourishing. Her organization, Acumen, invests in people, companies and ideas that see capital and networks as means, not ends, to solving the toughest issues of poverty.

Global Philanthropy Forum, 2012 | Watch

From blueprint to scale: The case for philanthropy in impact investing

My speech at the GPF addressed the important role philanthropy plays in building businesses that provide goods and services to the poor.

Jacqueline Novogratz | The Huffington Post, February 18, 2013 | Article

Dignity, Not Dependence While Living Under $1 a Day

I wrote this piece to tell the story of how poverty can be debilitating because of its condition of a lack of choice and freedom.

Skoll World Forum, 2013 | Watch

Positive disruption from the inside out

The role of leadership, failure and taking risks in social entrepreneurship.

Adam Bryant | The New York Times, September 30, 2012 | Article

When Humility and Audacity Go Hand in Hand

Humility and audacity, generosity and accountability, listening and leadership — my views on the importance of values-based organizations.

Jacqueline Novogratz | Stanford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2013 | Article

Standing with the Poor

My essay about the evolution of social innovation and how patient capital is working.

Jacqueline Novogratz | The Huffington Post, November 15, 2012 | Article

What Are You Doing When You Feel Most Beautiful?

Mushaq-Bi from the slums of Mumbai shows me what beauty and dignity can be.

Learn more