Welcome to the May issue of Be Inkandescent Magazine: The ezine for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.

In this issue you’ll meet microfinance guru Dr. Muhammad Yunus. We are honored to feature him, for anyone who understands the importance of micro-lending as a means to end global poverty considers him to be one of the great entrepreneurs of our day.

The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, which provides poor people — mainly women — with small loans that they use to launch businesses that lift their families out of poverty. He is also the director emeritis of the Grameen Foundation, which was founded in 1997 by friends of Grameen Bank to help microfinance practitioners and spread the Grameen philosophy worldwide.

Read on to learn about his newest idea, Building Social Business, which is the title of his 2010 book. If you like what you read, meet him in person — for throughout May he’ll be touring the country promoting his ideas. (Scroll down for a list of dates and cities where he’ll be speaking.)

Also in this issue of Be Inkandescent Magazine: You’ll find that each of our Inkandescent columnists has woven the concept of social entrepreneurship into their articles this month:

• Management expert Alice Waagen explains why collaboration is key for managers.
• Roxanne Rukowicz tells us how to throw a socially-conscious fundraiser.
• Insurance expert Scott Golden helps us prepare for Medicare.
• Discover how the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship is helping low-income students start their own companies.

You’ll also find a feature on Muhammad Yunus’ daughter Monica Yunus, who is a rising star on the opera scene and a social entrepreneur herself.

Here’s to incorporating social business ideas into your work and life! — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent Magazine