Transforming a neighborhood marginalized by the rest of society is a complex task. Located in the Havana municipality of Marianao is Los Pocitos-Palmar People’s Council, a settlement that formally emerged in 1858 and is currently inhabited by people from various provinces of Cuba.

La Penúltima Casa and its founder, Katia Sánchez, launched the Pitch Festival this Friday, from the venture’s Telegram group and Youtube channel, as an event to think about digital communication based on Cuban entrepreneurship. The event is the first of its kind in the country and completely free.

Situated across the famous Havana harbor and clearly visible from the city center, the neighborhood of Regla seems to operate at its own speed. Regla is the result of its particular history, built around the lives of the descendants of slaves and sustained by both the unfulfilled aspirations of working-class ancestors and the àṣẹ of African deities.

The news spread like wildfire across Cuba on Saturday, February 6. The list of prohibited activities in the self-employed sector had finally been approved; a measure that was long-awaited not only because it was announced back in July 2020, but also because it means over 2,000 private sector occupations can now be legally exercised.

A few months ago, when we were adapting to the idea of the existence of a global pandemic, many enterprises were faced with the dilemma of how to become sustainable and overcome the crisis. Fortunately, social networking sites have opened the doors for us to do so. Restructuring, adapting, interacting and growing have been the priorities in these months.

When the story of COVID-19 is told, perhaps the main character will be the human damage caused by the pandemic. But personally, I would like it to be remembered for how science, business and people focused their creativity on making such uncertain times more bearable.

Building a strong, transparent private sector that is linked to the state sector must be a domestic priority. Building a public-private partnership is an imperative, not an option, and Cuba needs that whether Trump, Biden, or Kamala Harris is in the Oval Office.

Maria Lucia Bermudez, a Social Communication graduate, helps international business representatives to make their products and services visible through the Here2Start Fest, an event considered a window onto global entrepreneurship.

The novel coronavirus and the crisis it has generated have seen many a sleepless night for countless companies and enterprises. The search for alternatives and solutions to “survive” has been key in the so-called new normality.

Tercer Paraíso Cuba has been functioning for more than five years, and since the last edition of the Rebirth Forum, in November 2019, the team has been working with the community of Cuban makers grouped in projects, entrepreneurs and organizations interested in recycling and sustainable development, through platforms such as Plasticidas, Copincha and Precious Plastic Habana.