The COVID crisis has shed light on many systemic vulnerabilities in our country. Most notably, the unwillingness of many states to use federal allocations to help their citizens calls into question the reliance on block grants and state institutions to use the money.
Tag: Archived Press Release
FSIC Statement of Support for the For the People Act – Make Voting More Accessible for All Americans
States should not be constructing artificial roadblocks to restrict the voting rights of millions of Americans primarily in communities of people of color.
Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Lending Have the Potential to Reduce Discrimination in Mortgage Lending – White Paper March 2021
It is widely accepted that the key ingredient to accumulating wealth in the U.S. is home ownership.
Unfortunately, racial discrimination in the housing and lending industry has limited the ability of minority populations, particularly African Americans, to participate in this traditional means of wealth-building.
While the traditional housing finance system has a long history of discriminatory actions against African Americans and other minorities, the creation and deployment of technologies that remove much of the human element has been a path toward reducing discrimination in the system.
But, the question remains, can evolving artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic lending help address the systemic challenges of discrimination in the housing sector by shrinking and potentially eliminating racial bias in mortgage lending?
FSIC Webinar – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Inclusion
Lack of diversity in technology is a problem that persists. Most experts confirm – minorities experience bias in AI related economic outcomes. Learn how we can solve these problems and achieve equitable outcomes for all communities.
Leading Ladies of Richmond and FSIC Black History Month Event: African American Women Small Business Lending Workshop
FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (AIOF) in association with the Leading Ladies of Richmond and the SCL Global Policy Initiative are excited to announce the date for their “Small Business Lending Workshop”. The event will be held via webinar on February 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm ET.
Press Release – FSIC Dream Creators Workforce Development Program Graduate Starts New Job
FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (FSIC) congratulates graduate Jordan Fitts from its most recent Dream Creators Workforce Development cohort. All program participants/students in the FSIC program receive advance training and incidental support prior to attended the Nash Community College Underground Electrical Line Construction program. Mr. Fitts recently received his graduation certificate and started his new job with Pike Energy in Raleigh, NC.
(VIDEO) #FSICHealth – THE STATE OF HEALTH FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA SERIES COVID – MYTHS, FACTS & FEARS (Talking about the NFL, Football, and the NBA Bubble) (October 6, 2020)
Please see posted video of recent #FSICHealth event addressing Football and the dangers of COVID for all involved.
Op-Ed – Professional Sport Team Owners in US Prove Socialism Can Work
These “capitalists” [professional sport teams owners] understand that in order to have a thriving, competitive marketplace, a winner take all “laissez faire” economic approach does not work. In order to support a 30-40 team league, owners understand that the wealthier markets must support the smaller, poorer markets.
(VIDEO) #FSICHealth – “THE STATE OF HEALTH FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA” SERIES – MYTHS, FACTS & FEARS (October 6, 2020)
“THE STATE OF HEALTH FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA” SERIES: COVID – MYTHS, FACTS & FEARS
FSIC Hosts “THE STATE OF HEALTH FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA” SERIES: COVID – MYTHS, FACTS & FEARS
FSIC is proud to host the next in a series of meetings on the State of Health for Black Men in America. This event will focus on COVID – Myths, Facts & Fears.
Statement of Support for Dominion Energy Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
FSIC hopes through the continued support of economically responsible companies like Dominion Energy, some of the poorest and underserved communities in the country can start to participate in the new economy and strengthen the economy for all Americans.
Brown, Booker, Harris Introduce Senate Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
“We will not make progress until we acknowledge and address all of the ways that centuries of racism and oppression have harmed Black and brown Americans,” said Senator Brown. “This resolution is an important step toward recognizing the racial disparities in healthcare that have existed for far too long while also outlining concrete action we can take now to help reverse them. Though this resolution is not a solution in and of itself, it will help to lay the foundation for change that is continually subverted by and for the status quo. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important resolution.”
The Financial Services Innovation Coalition (FSIC) has issued the following statement about the passing of U.S. Representative John Lewis.
FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (AIOF) Awarded Duke Energy Foundation Powerful Communities Grant
The Looming Real Estate Crisis Plus Opportunity Zones Will Exponentially Expand the Wealth Gap
It is not a secret that the real estate market is suffering during this COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing has caused businesses to shutter which has led to a decline in commercial real estate values. With workers forced to stay home, many people are unable to pay their rents and mortgages. These delinquencies will eventually lead to a large number of evictions and foreclosures. Opportunity Funds are poised to take advantage of this suffering.
FSIC Releases White Paper – The Marshall Plan for the Economic Recovery of Black America
As Americans deal with the ramifications of the Corona virus, the great racial disparities that have plagued African Americans for centuries have become starkly and deadly visible for all to see. An imperative exists for Congress to achieve the spirit of the 14th Amendment, the Civil Rights Act and enact affirmative remedies abolishing the residue of systemic racism. This inevitably requires developing a plan to save African American institutions including businesses, non-Profits, HBCUs and other entities serving traditionally under-resourced multicultural neighborhoods and communities.
SBA And Banks Have Proven Themselves Unworthy of Stimulus Participation
A lot has been made of the way banks have prioritized loan applications, choosing to help
customers who have credit accounts first.
It is clear small business owners were NEVER supposed to get any of the PPP Funding.
A Lawyers Role in Alleviating Inequities Through Advocacy
“The Reason Opportunity Zones Won’t Work and What to do About Them” FSIC Senate Roundtable Luncheon
“We Won the Civil Rights Battle but are We Losing the Inclusion War?” Capitol Hill Roundtable Luncheon
Letter to Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan re: segregated investment funds
Dear Mr. Dimon,
We are writing you to express our concerns over your announced creation of your “segregated” fund for minority businesses. This effort concerns us greatly and we fear it sends the wrong message. We do not understand why you feel the need to segregate out your investments in minority businesses. Why is it you cannot invest in Black businesses as part of your regular business strategy?