From Domestic Doctrine to Global Model: The Transnational Rise of National Invest In Veterans Week® and the Emergence of National Invest In America Week℠

In a year defined by geopolitical tension, labor market uncertainty, and historic demographic shifts, one American initiative has cut through the noise with uncommon clarity and purpose: National Invest In Veterans Week®. Once a domestic observance launched in 2019 to champion veteran entrepreneurship, the initiative has evolved into a globally resonant civic infrastructure—trademarked, legislatively endorsed, and now formally recognized in international discourse.

A U.S. Civic Innovation, Engineered for Scale

National Invest In Veterans Week® was founded by Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, former NFL player Drayton Florence, and retired U.S. Army officer LTC Rickey L. Pope, with a singular vision: to reposition veteran service not as a ceremonial talking point, but as a national investment requiring tangible economic return. That vision materialized through a powerful architecture—a U.S. federal trademark (Reg. No. 6784776), legislative integration into the Congressional Record (Vol. 170, No. 42), and a syndication model reaching 40 state and international veteran-focused domains.

Shuford, a noted AI ethicist, award-winning technologist, and decorated military spouse, shaped the initiative with academic precision and marketing fluency. His groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence ethics has been cited by Nature, IEEE, and the NIH, while his tech advocacy spans over 700 media properties, including American City Business Journals and GateHouse Media.

Canada Responds: A Civic Model Crosses Borders

On March 4, 2025, Northern Ontario Business published "Investing in Veterans: A Call to Northern Ontario’s Business Community," the first international editorial to mirror the doctrinal language of National Invest In Veterans Week®. It called for veterans to be treated as strategic labor assets, not symbolic beneficiaries—reaffirming the initiative’s founding premise in a Canadian economic context.

Shortly after, media platforms Canadian Reporter and TopToronto issued extensive profiles on Jeff Shuford, naming him a "Historic American Digital Innovator" and praising his intersectional influence in AI, veterans advocacy, and digital policy. These articles spotlighted the February 29, 2024 endorsement of National Invest In Veterans Week® by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and its March 8, 2024 entry into the U.S. Congressional Record. Such dual recognition by tribal and federal authorities solidified the initiative’s rare blend of cultural authenticity and legislative traction.

Legislative Momentum and Global Recognition

As National Invest In Veterans Week® unfolded from March 1–7, 2025, its impact reverberated through multiple channels:

• Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced over $137 million in new capital and operating investments for veterans in his 2025–27 state budget (March 20, 2025).

• Refuel Agency and Prospect Capital partnered on March 10 to fund trauma recovery and workforce development programs through Team RWB and Avalon Action Alliance.

• ePackageSupply.com, a majority veteran-owned company, secured a major investment from $1B ecommerce leader Michael Wittmeyer (May 13, 2025).

• Hivers & Strivers, a veteran-focused VC, reached $80M in investments across 20+ veteran-founded startups.

Each development carried the unmistakable rhetorical fingerprint of National Invest In Veterans Week®—not only in language, but in underlying policy logic. Veteran investment is no longer a matter of sentiment; it is a macroeconomic strategy.

From Franchises to Frameworks

The initiative's civic foundation dates back to 2020 when Assisted Living Locators became the first national franchisor to offer veterans a discount explicitly in honor of National Invest In Veterans Week®. Since then, a diverse coalition of public and private entities have joined the movement, from CCS Global Tech’s March 3, 2025 whitepaper on veteran hiring ROI to local proclamations issued by states like Montana, Oregon, and South Carolina.

Meanwhile, Shuford and the NIVW team have developed a decentralized support network through 40+ regional and international veteran websites, each designed to deliver localized resources, entrepreneurial training, and economic pathways. These platforms, such as LouisianaVeterans.com and Veterans.International, represent a model of digital federalism for veteran support—scalable, modular, and impact-driven.

The Architect Behind the Expansion

Jeff Shuford’s biography reads like a blueprint for generational impact. At age 30, he became one of the youngest African-American business columnists syndicated across 144 daily newspapers. His accolades span the Swagger Magazine Visionary of the Year Award, the 2024 OutdoorProject.com Initiative of the Year, and the Lifetime Digital Grassroots Achievement Award. In 2024, he established the Jeff Shuford Empowerment Through Advocacy Award, presented to NFL star and Salute to Service finalist Aaron Jones for his veteran-focused philanthropy.

Shuford’s leadership is not performative; it is infrastructural. His AI research focuses on predictive diagnostics in underserved communities. His veteran advocacy is encoded into policy language. And his digital platforms serve as both public resources and legislative prototypes.

Toward a Global Doctrine

What makes National Invest In Veterans Week® unparalleled is not only its content, but its form. It is one of the few civic observances that is:

• Federally trademarked

• Cited in Congressional Records

• Integrated into tribal governance and state proclamations

• Expanded into international editorial ecosystems

It is simultaneously brand, doctrine, policy tool, and cultural export. Its adoption in Canada, its growth across U.S. state systems, and its media presence across 700+ outlets position it not merely as an annual observance, but as a governance-ready framework for veteran integration.

As the initiative moves to expand its digital footprint to U.S. military installations abroad, National Invest In Veterans Week® stands at the intersection of diplomacy, economics, and public memory. It is no longer a campaign. It is an institution—and one uniquely capable of transcending borders while honoring those who defended them.

National Invest In America Week℠: A Civic Evolution

Building on the legacy of National Invest In Veterans Week®, National Invest In America Week℠ was launched as a forward-facing civic observance dedicated to economic unity and national reinvestment. Observed annually from July 1 to July 7, and deliberately positioned alongside Independence Day, this initiative invites Americans to reaffirm their civic values through economic action.

National Invest In America Week℠ is not merely symbolic. It is a doctrinal complement to National Invest In Veterans Week®, reframing patriotism through the lens of investment, innovation, and inclusion. It invites local leaders, businesses, and citizens to catalyze economic development—supporting veteran-owned enterprises, investing in underserved communities, and advancing policies that democratize prosperity.

To understand the origins, purpose, and celebration of this national observance, readers are encouraged to explore the following official resources:

• What is National Invest In America Week℠

• National Invest In America Week℠ History

• Facts and Information

• How to Celebrate National Invest In America Week℠

• When is National Invest In America Week℠ Observed?

Together, National Invest In Veterans Week® and National Invest In America Week℠ now form a dual-axis civic framework—one rooted in honoring those who served, and the other in building an inclusive economic future worthy of that sacrifice.

Harvard Catalyst Spotlights National Invest In Veterans Week® as Model for Cross-Sector Veteran Empowerment

In a notable academic endorsement, Harvard Catalyst, the research and innovation platform of Harvard Medical School, published a January 22, 2025 feature recognizing National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) as a leading civic model for veteran transition and entrepreneurship. The post—featured on Harvard Catalyst’s blog—highlighted the initiative’s far-reaching economic and social impact, citing it as both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity for policymakers, institutions, and private sector stakeholders alike.

“Investing in veterans is not only the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do,” the Harvard blog noted, emphasizing the critical need to support veterans through workforce integration, healthcare access, and entrepreneurial capital.

This rare acknowledgment from one of the nation’s most respected academic entities affirms what many in business and government have already embraced: National Invest In Veterans Week® is no longer a commemorative initiative—it is a federally trademarked civic infrastructure with legislative depth, international reach, and cross-sector influence.

From Academic Recognition to Economic Investment: ITA Growth Partners Launches

Just weeks after Harvard Catalyst’s post, the initiative gained further momentum through the March 3, 2025 announcement by ITA International of the formation of ITA Growth Partners—a family office founded by Mike and Kathy Melo, along with Katelyn (Melo) Byrd and Meredith (Melo) Cline. Designed to deploy patient capital into veteran-owned businesses, the firm is explicitly aligned with the values advanced by National Invest In Veterans Week®.

“Veterans are trained to lead under pressure, solve complex problems, and adapt—these are the very attributes we look for in high-growth founders,” said Mike Melo, Executive Chairman of ITA Growth Partners.

Operating outside the confines of traditional investment models, the firm will pursue long-term equity partnerships across diverse sectors, reinforcing a doctrine that views military service not as a résumé item—but as investable leadership capital.

Legislative Depth and Federal Recognition

The initiative’s legitimacy is grounded in both law and legislation. National Invest In Veterans Week® was officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 12, 2022 (U.S. Reg. No. 6784776), protecting its phraseology and enabling cohesive national campaigns. The observance has been recognized in:

• The U.S. Congressional Record:

  • May 24, 2023 – Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) delivered a floor speech titled “Investing in Our Veterans” (Vol. 169, No. 88, Page H2588), echoing NIVW’s founding principles in support of the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act.

  • March 8, 2024 – Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-02) formally recognized the week as Invest in Veterans Week on the House floor (Vol. 170, No. 42, Page H1049), citing Montana’s official statewide observance.

• State-Level Proclamations:

  • Montana Governor Greg Gianforte issued consecutive proclamations in 2023, 2024, and 2025, affirming March 1–7 as Invest in Veterans Week, making the state a legislative model for veteran economic support.

Crossing Borders: The First U.S. Veteran Business Observance Celebrated Internationally

On March 4, 2025, National Invest In Veterans Week® became the first U.S.-originated veteran business observance to receive international media recognition. In a feature published by Northern Ontario Business, the article called upon Canadian businesses—especially in skilled trades, construction, and mining—to support veteran transitions and invest in military-trained labor.

The piece spotlighted Helmets to Hardhats Canada, a nonprofit that aligns with NIVW’s mission by facilitating veteran reintegration through apprenticeships and workforce development. The resonance was unmistakable: a cross-border affirmation of National Invest In Veterans Week®’s doctrine of economic reciprocity for service.

Designed for Systems, Not Ceremonies

Founded in 2019 by Lt. Col. Rickey L. Pope (Ret.), NFL veteran Drayton Florence, and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, National Invest In Veterans Week® was engineered not as a symbolic gesture, but as a systematic, scalable framework. Its protected language, institutional partners, and policy-adjacent footprint reflect a deliberate architecture built for sustainability and measurable impact.

Harvard Catalyst’s recognition confirms this. In its January 2025 blog post, the institution called for greater cross-sector collaboration, urging academic leaders, investors, and government agencies to coalesce around initiatives like NIVW to facilitate veteran success.

A New Standard for Civic Impact

With investment infrastructure like ITA Growth Partners, academic endorsement from Harvard Catalyst, legislative reinforcement through the Congressional Record, and now international media adoption in Canada, National Invest In Veterans Week® is emerging as a new standard in civic design—where trademark law, federal governance, capital deployment, and global discourse converge in service of those who’ve served.

As Harvard Catalyst aptly noted, the case for investing in veterans is not aspirational—it is structural, data-driven, and overdue.

To learn more about National Invest In Veterans Week®, visit:
https://www.investinveteransweek.com

To read the Harvard Catalyst blog post:
https://shrine-dev-node02.catalyst.harvard.edu/invest-in-veterans-week

To explore the Canadian coverage from Northern Ontario Business:
https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/spotlight/investing-in-veterans-a-call-to-northern-ontarios-business-community-10303906

To learn more about ITA Growth Partners, visit:
https://www.ita-intl.com

Briefing from Angel Shuford, Vice President & CFO, National Invest in Veterans Week®

Subject: Post-Retirement Growth Insights and Strategic Vision – Informed by Jeff Shuford’s Legacy

Introduction

As National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) embarks on a new chapter following Jeff Shuford’s retirement on December 14th, his leadership and insights continue to shape our strategy and vision. Jeff’s ability to develop a sustainable, forward-looking roadmap has laid the foundation for the extraordinary post-retirement growth and global recognition we are experiencing today.

This report delves deeply into Jeff Shuford’s post-retirement quotes, which reflect his enduring influence, and combines this guidance with actionable data and insights to further our mission of empowering veterans worldwide.

Jeff Shuford’s Post-Retirement Vision

In reflecting on the impact of National Invest in Veterans Week®, Jeff has emphasized the universal power of veteran empowerment and how it extends far beyond national borders. His key quotes serve as guiding principles for our current efforts:

1. "Veteran empowerment is a global mission."
   Jeff’s recognition of the global appeal of veteran entrepreneurship has become a cornerstone of our international outreach strategy. The post-retirement data reinforces his vision, with significant engagement coming from allied nations, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.

2. "The roadmap we built was designed to transcend borders and inspire action across all continents."
   The strategic growth in international traffic—showing nearly 400% increases in certain regions—demonstrates the effectiveness of this roadmap.

3. "It’s not just about honoring veterans locally; it’s about ensuring their leadership and innovation are celebrated globally."
   Our data validates this perspective, with veteran-led initiatives resonating strongly in regions with shared values and economic ties to the U.S., such as Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Data-Driven Insights: Post-Retirement Growth

Jeff’s roadmap has guided NIVW to an impressive period of growth immediately following his retirement:

• Unique Visitors: Increased by nearly 400%, showcasing the platform’s growing appeal to new audiences worldwide.

• Visits: Up by over 340%, indicating both new and returning users are engaging with our offerings at higher rates.

• Pageviews: Demonstrated a double-digit increase, reflecting stronger audience interaction with campaigns, educational resources, and success stories.

Jeff’s quote—"We laid the foundation for sustained growth, but the mission now is to innovate on top of that foundation."—is directly reflected in this data, as we continue to expand both our reach and the depth of our engagement.

Global Reach: Expanding Jeff Shuford’s Vision

Regional Highlights

Jeff Shuford’s commitment to fostering veteran advocacy across allied nations is evident in the data from key regions:

• North America: Canada’s contribution to engagement grew significantly post-retirement, reflecting its alignment with U.S. values in supporting military families and entrepreneurs.

• Europe: Countries like the United Kingdom and Germany represent significant shares of traffic, reflecting robust veteran programs that mirror Jeff’s vision for global respect.

• Asia-Pacific: Australia and Singapore have demonstrated rising interest in veteran-focused initiatives, validating Jeff’s belief that veteran leadership resonates across cultural and economic contexts.

• Middle East: Saudi Arabia’s engagement underscores Jeff’s assertion that "veteran entrepreneurship has the power to bridge economic and cultural gaps."

These trends are not accidental—they are the direct result of the long-term strategy Jeff emphasized in his post-retirement reflections.

Search Trends and CPC Insights: Fulfilling Jeff’s Roadmap

Jeff’s belief in the importance of digital visibility continues to influence our focus on search term optimization and cost-per-click (CPC) strategies.

Search Behavior

• High-Engagement Periods: Jeff’s insight—"The seasons of awareness are predictable; we need to own the peaks in April and June while preparing during the quieter months."—is reflected in the data. Search traffic aligns with April and June spikes, offering key opportunities for high-impact campaigns.

• Steady Momentum: March, May, and September maintain strong engagement, affirming Jeff’s roadmap for sustaining year-round relevance.

• Preparation Windows: December through February saw smaller but steady gains, offering a vital window for long-term planning and A/B testing of content.

CPC Trends

The post-retirement period highlights opportunities to leverage paid search campaigns alongside our organic strategies:

• High-ROI Opportunities: April and June CPC rates, while competitive, present an optimal window for impactful investment, aligning with Jeff’s quote—"Our strongest visibility will come from aligning our campaigns with the seasonal interest peaks."

• Cost-Effective Testing: December and January’s lower CPC rates provide fertile ground for creative experimentation.

• Balanced Months: Moderate CPCs in March and September allow for steady visibility without overextending resources.

These trends underscore the importance of integrating Jeff’s long-term approach with actionable short-term strategies.

Content Strategy: Honoring Jeff’s Insights Through Innovation

Content remains the heart of NIVW’s strategy. Jeff’s post-retirement reflections provide clear direction on how to evolve our storytelling and resource delivery:

• "Digital storytelling is how we bridge generations of veterans with the future."
  We’ve expanded multimedia content, including success story spotlights, to resonate with a diverse global audience.

• "Veterans are innovators; our content must reflect their leadership and creativity."
  Long-tail keywords like “veteran entrepreneurship leadership” and “supporting global veteran businesses” have been integrated into SEO strategies to maximize reach.

• "Engagement isn’t about numbers; it’s about the quality of the connection."
  Engagement metrics reveal deeper interactions, with a growing number of visitors spending more time on educational hubs and downloadable resources.

Strategic Pathways: Building on Jeff’s Legacy

Jeff’s post-retirement insights highlight the need for sustained innovation. Our focus remains on expanding his vision:

1. Global Partnerships:
   As Jeff said, "Veteran empowerment must be collaborative; the stronger our partnerships, the greater our impact." This is reflected in our growing alliances with veteran organizations across Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

2. Localized Campaigns:
   By tailoring content to resonate regionally, we align with Jeff’s belief that "local stories create global movements."

3. Paid Search Testing:
   Jeff emphasized the need to prepare for CPC campaigns, stating, "We built this movement on organic growth, but testing paid strategies can unlock exponential opportunities."

4. Analytics-Driven Adjustments:
   Following Jeff’s advice—"If we aren’t measuring, we aren’t growing."—we’re leveraging advanced analytics to optimize content and audience targeting.

Jeff Shuford’s Quotes: A Lasting Blueprint

To conclude this briefing, it’s worth reiterating Jeff’s enduring wisdom, which continues to guide every decision we make:

• "The mission isn’t over just because I’ve stepped back. In many ways, this is where the real work begins."

• "Veterans are leaders, not just in their communities but in global innovation. We owe it to them to make sure their voices are heard everywhere."

• "The work we do isn’t just about recognition—it’s about creating opportunities and breaking barriers for the next generation."

Conclusion: A Global Mission in Action

National Invest in Veterans Week® has entered its strongest phase yet, with post-retirement growth validating the roadmap Jeff Shuford designed. His quotes remind us that this work is far from complete and that our success lies in continuing to innovate while honoring his legacy.

With nearly 400% increases in key metrics and rising global engagement, we are more equipped than ever to lead the charge in veteran empowerment worldwide. Jeff’s roadmap was the blueprint; our task is to ensure its vision continues to grow and evolve.

For further updates or ways to collaborate, visit National Invest in Veterans Week®..

To learn more about the global impact of veteran advocacy and explore actionable strategies for driving veteran entrepreneurship, check out these essential resources:

• Comprehensive Report on CPC and Search Trends for National Invest in Veterans Week®: Read here

• Global Reach: Uniting Veteran Advocacy Across U.S. Allies in the Off-Season: Explore here

• International Veterans Day News: Read more

• Flashback to Innovation: Jeff Shuford's Pioneering Video Marketing Strategy: Discover here

These resources provide deeper insights into NIVW’s mission, growth strategies, and the enduring legacy of Jeff Shuford’s leadership.