b'12Accion Annual Report 2018 www.yourwebsite.com 13Accion Entrepreneurs 13 NATIVE REALITIESALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICOLee Francis IV owns the only Native comic shop in the world, andLee knew he could do more to expand representation for indigenous peoples, its located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Several years ago, prior toso not only did he open a comic book store, he launched Indigenous Pop Comic earning his PhD in education, Lee started his career in teaching. HeCon both in New Mexico and Colorado. Then, while searching for ways to was working in Native classrooms when he noticed that the materials for thesupport Native creatives, Lee learned about Accion. As an alternative funder Native kids were seriously lacking. He says, They didnt get to be super heroesfocused on fueling Native entrepreneurs, Accion was a perfect fit. Lee says, Im in their own stories. A lifelong lover of comics, Lee decided to start writingworking with Accion as a client. Im interested in supporting their work and comic books featuring Native American super heroes. He reflects, Spendingtheyre supporting mine. Supercharged with an Accion loan, Lee was able to my summers on the Pueblo of Laguna, I could see how my grandfather was anupdate his comic book store with murals, bookshelves and new inventory. He Our goal is to change the world and entrepreneur, my uncle was an entrepreneur, my father was an entrepreneur says, I like to practice what I preach. It was important to go through the process that spirit of creativity, business and risk taking its always been thereits justin order to help guide other Native business folks. Now Im able to say, youLEE FRANCIS, IV to do as much as we can to change been about finding the passion. should support Accion because it can be beneficial and the process is simple.NATIVE REALITIES|ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO the perception of Native Americans Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, Lee decided to take his comic bookToday, Native Realities is thriving and Lee has five part-time employees helpingin pop culture. writing a step further by launching Native Realities, a publishing companyhim run the store, publishing, and comic cons. He says, Native people have dedicated to Native-centric media for young people comic books, graphicmore barriers, I need to open as many doors as I possibly can, so that my son novels, history books, games, toys and collectibles. He says, Our goal is toand Native kids have as many opportunities as the western kids that will make change the world and to do as much as we can to change the perception ofthem content, happy and healthy in this world. Native Americans in pop culture.'