With the UK’s formal exit from the EU looming, Prince Michael of Kent led a delegation of British small business advocates to Washington for a discussion at Meridian, in partnership with Intuit, on the tools and practices that form the favorable small business climate in the U.S. Cousin to Queen Elizabeth II and grandson of King George V, Prince Michael contributed to the creation of the Genesis Initiative decades ago when he realized small businesses had zero voice or support in the U.K. David Harvey, Genesis Consultant CEO, said the delegation learned how local knowledge of state and city governments can inform small business policies, as well as how to apply these lessons to their respective jurisdictions in the U.K. Read more about the discussion here.

Aiming to foster cross-cultural creative exchange, Next Level USA brings MCs, DJ’s, hip hop dancers, beatmakers and graffiti artists together to conduct master classes, give interactive performances and host jam sessions with local musicians. As an initiative of the U.S. Department of State, Meridian and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program works to promote understanding and conflict transformation in its audiences while supporting the professional development of the participating artists. Meridian hosted the Next Level group for two days in Washington, D.C. during which they showed their array of talents and explored the district. Learn more here and see the artists in action.