Tools & Resources

Investing In and With Entrepreneurs and Leaders of Color

Racial Equity Library
 
Although small businesses and business creation are key drivers of the American economy, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) entrepreneurs have consistently experienced barriers in access to capital, holding back both our economy and our nation's talent from reaching its full potential. These barriers are the result of unconscious biases, systemic inequities that have created a vast racial wealth divide over time, and associated challenges that many face in raising capital through friends and family, given systemic inequities and the fact that social and personal networks in America fall along lines of both wealth and race.
 

Takeaways

  • Investing in BIPOC leaders — even leaders of investment firms without a stated commitment to investing in BIPOC — can spark broader social change: Because evidence suggests people tend to build networks within their race or ethnicity, venture capital firms led by BIPOC are also more likely to support investees or communities of color, such as through jobs, indirect investments, and more.
  • Go the extra mile to reach outside of your network: Related to the above, investors must build their networks proactively to broaden their community. We have provided a growing list of organizations, projects, and initiatives below to help. Please reach out to us if you know of others we should add.
  • Along the spectrum of risk, return, and tenor, the opportunities to make a difference are diverse. Foundations also play a critical role in providing patient or low-interest loans that allow intermediaries, including CDFIs, to provide flexible terms to small businesses. For example, foundations like Surdna are looking at innovative tools, such as royalty financing and convertible notes, to bridge divides between equity and debt or different types of needs.
  • Foundations can build the impact investing field and attract other participants. For example, guarantees by Annie E. Casey Foundation and Kresge Foundation were catalytic components supporting Prudential Financial's investments in Invest4All, a fund for communities and entrepreneurs of color in Memphis, Atlanta, and New Orleans. Foundations can also support technical assistance for entrepreneurs and businesses supported by these projects, offer influential connections that support entrepreneurs for the long-term, and foster education and training to support entrepreneurship among youth, laying the groundwork for future generations.

 

#BankBlack: Supporting the Disappearing Industry of Black-Owned Banks

The number of Black-owned banks have declined from 91 to 19 between 1987 and 2018, with decline attributable in part to America's racist history and modern-day manifestations of redlining and their stated commitments to serving communities. For example, according to this Urban Institute report, the number of mortgages originated by Black-owned banks for Black borrowers rose 57% during the 2008 recession (2007-2013 period), compared to a 69% drop in all mortgage lending to Black borrowers -- and despite a 36% decline in the number of Black-owned banks. As the communities they serve have experienced underinvestment and systemic inequities, including from the banking system, Black-owned banks have also felt the consequences. 

Funds, CDFIs, Advisors, and Accelerators Led By BIPOC

A tiny fraction of the total amount of venture capital goes to Black, Native, and Latinx founders, and BIPOC business owners are also often unable to access traditional debt options that can help them manage gaps in cash flow, invest in improvements, grow, and much more. To address these different capital gaps, many foundations are working to expand access to capital, including by supporting funds investing in entrepreneurs of color or providing patient or low-interest capital to intermediaries that can provide debt to underserved entrepreneurs. Intermediaries with expertise in impact investing include community development financial institutions (CDFIs), including credit unions and loan funds.
 
Examples of Foundation Activities
Examining Existing and Potential Investments with a Racial Equity Lens
Foundations and impact investors looking to deepen commitments to racial equity can apply this Racial Justice Framework developed by CapShift and TheCaseMade to new and existing investments. Intended to help investors determine where an investment is on the continuum of supporting racial justice, the framework segments investment opportunities into three categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Racial Equity, and Racial Justice.
 
Expanding Networks with Racial Equity in Mind
Below, we have created a work in progress list of funds (including venture capital, private equity, and private debt), advisors, and accelerators founded or led by BIPOC (e.g., CEOs, founders, managing directors), as they self-describe in public content. (Best viewed on desktop.) Many of these organizations have also made explicit commitments to support BIPOC entrepreneurs. We are working on adding nuance to help you sort the data in different ways; please reach out to help us grow the list or refine the information on it, which is derived from publicly available information on company websites. (MIE is not an advisor does not conduct financial or impact diligence. Please consult your own selected advisors to determine how to use this information to support BIPOC entrepreneurs.)
 

DISCLAIMER
The information included on this webpage is for educational purposes only. This information does not constitute a solicitation, offer or sale of any securities.
 
All data, images, and other information provided herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to purchase or sell any securities mentioned herein. Mission Investors Exchange is not, and does not provide services as, an investment advisor, investment analyst, broker, broker-dealer, market-maker, investment banker or underwriter.
 
Mission Investors Exchange does not endorse or recommend any investment advisor, strategy or company mentioned herein, and Mission Investors Exchange is not the author of, and does not guarantee or endorse the accuracy, quality or reliability of any of, the information provided herein.
 
Mission Investors Exchange receives no compensation or fee for, and does not engage in, providing advice, making recommendations, assisting with, issuing reports or furnishing analyses on any of the strategies or information presented herein.
 
Mission Investors Exchange recommends that you consult with a professional investment advisor, broker or legal counsel before purchasing or selling any securities.
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