The Problem
• Unfair lending practices.
• Small-business lending faces a serious diversity issue.
• Everyone is aware of the bank’s strict underwriting guidelines.
• 80% of loan applications are denied.
• Predatory lending.
The Solution
• We can tackle these issues with the right tools, education, and training.
• Young professionals from our community can help bridge the distrust toward banks.
• By getting trained, we can teach financial literacy and offer lending solutions.
• Empowered with knowledge, we can create jobs and businesses in our community.
What is The Cooperative Lender
The Cooperative Lender is “a group of people united to meet their common
• Socially
• Economically
• Disadvantaged
• Cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.”
When a co-operative does well financially or economically, the community it serves benefits, not just a small group of shareholders
Benefits of a Co-op Model
• One Member- One Share – One Vote
• Member and/or Employee Owned
• Practices group economics & Self funded
• Dividend payout to members
• Shared risk …Shared Rewards
• 90 % success rate
• Create & Retain Jobs in the Community
How Can I be a Member
• 1 Share = 1 vote = $1,000
• Unlimited # of Shares
• Dividend Payout(s)
• 1000 members @ $1k per share = $1 million
We envision a world where Black businesses flourish, serving as the cornerstone of vibrant, resilient communities. These businesses drive innovation, create wealth, and foster opportunities that uplift individuals and families, building a legacy of prosperity and equity for future generations.
Our mission is to empower Black-owned businesses and build a resilient community committed to solving our own challenges. Together, we create pathways for financial growth, collective strength, and shared prosperity—recognizing that no one is coming to save us but us. All are welcome in allyship as we forge a future rooted in self-determination and unity.
Our vision is to close the racial wealth gap by leveraging the power of the cooperative model to address systemic barriers, reduce poverty, and foster innovation, job creation, and sustainable wealth-building within the Black community. By working together, we maximize shared resources, amplify collective strength, and ensure equitable opportunities for lasting economic empowerment."
We warmly invite you to join us in our mission to empower and strengthen Black businesses. Whether you are an entrepreneur striving to grow, a consumer committed to supporting Black-owned ventures, or an ally dedicated to fostering equity, your involvement is vital to our collective success.
By coming together, we can build a thriving ecosystem where Black businesses are not only supported but positioned to innovate, create jobs, and drive long-term wealth within our communities. Your participation helps us amplify the power of cooperative economics, create shared prosperity, and break down barriers to financial equity.
Let’s join forces to ensure that Black businesses not only survive but flourish—paving the way for a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.