The COVID-19 pandemic has brought America's deep, structural racism to light: BIPOC communities and businesses bear the brunt of the health and economic burden of the pandemic, and the relief measures implemented by federal, state and local governments rely on legacy financial systems and "plumbing" that have failed these communities since well before the pandemic.

We urgently need a better, inclusive financial system that corrects historic wrongs, and creates new plumbing to bring the entrepreneurial ambitions of all Americans to fruition. Luckily this innovation need not start from scratch, but benefits from the experimentation and ingenuity of a growing community of inclusive capital practitioners and operators who are bridging the capital access gaps.

In this showcase, we feature capital innovators who have been developing and deploying innovative mechanisms and financing vehicles.

Using an Ignite style template, every presenter will spend 5 minutes describing their capital innovation, and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and follow up with each.

Nikishka Iyengar: Community Investment Trust

Elaine Rasmussen: ConnectUP Integrated Capital Fund

Jason Wiener: The Main Street Phoenix Project

This event is co-hosted by Common Future and Zebras Unite. We thank the Center for Cultural Innovation for their ongoing support of the ICC.

Inclusive Capital Showcase