About Us
The Committee, comprised of esteemed community leaders with diverse backgrounds, does not possess expertise in lending or finance. However, they play a pivotal role in the loan committee, wielding significant authority in shaping the underwriting criteria and determining which businesses receive funding.
To bolster the Committee’s capabilities, they are actively supported by CIC staff. CIC leverages its extensive experience in alternative lending to educate the Committee about traditional underwriting practices. This knowledge transfer is not intended to encourage the replication of conventional methods, but rather to provide the Committee with a deeper understanding of the underlying issues within our capital access system. By grasping the shortcomings of existing practices, the Committee is empowered to intentionally deviate from tradition, with the ultimate goal of fostering more equitable lending decisions. Through this approach, the Committee seeks to revolutionize the landscape of lending, making it more accessible and fair for all businesses in need of financial support.
BIPOC Loan Fund Committee Members
Since January of 2021, the BIPOC CMLF Committee has been meeting monthly to reimagine lending, discuss barriers to capital access for BIPOC communities, and design a transparent process that meets entrepreneurs/business owners where they are with the goal of helping them take the next big step in their business growth. In partnership with BLAX Friday, Growth Partners Arizona, and Startup Tucson.
Thank you to our Inaugural Committee Members, Samuel Brown (Pima County Attorney’s Office), Marisol Aguirre (REA Consulting) and Terrell Henry (Creative Collabs).
Our Mission
The BIPOC Loan Fund was created to shift decision-making to the BIPOC community members, to empower equitable capital access to ( disenfranchised) BIPOC communities.
Our Vision
To create a loan Fund that connects and serves BIPOC businesses across Southern Arizona. While educating institutional banks and investors on how they may expand their lending programs.
THIS PROJECT IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
