Tag: Economic Empowerment

FSIC Video Podcast – “African Americans, Real Estate, and the Impact of Systematic Racism”

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May 13, 2022, Kevin B. Kimble, Esq., Founder and CEO, FSIC, and Brady J. Buckner, President, FSIC interview with Thaddeus Dawson, CRA designated member with he National Society of Real Estate Appraisers. In this episode outlines the historical and current effects of systematic racism on property valuation and how it has impacted the long term wealth building prospects for communities of color. This is an FSIC Housing Task Force Project.

FSIC Blog Post – “The Wobblies”: Iconic Film on the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Is Re-released for May Day

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The film details the history of the Industrial Workers of the World — a radical union whose members are also known as Wobblies — and their inclusive fight to organize “unskilled” workers, secure fair wages and enshrine the eight-hour workday in the early 20th century before they were targeted and repressed by the FBI during World War I.

FSIC Press Release – FSIC Releases Special Report Titled “The Future of Facial Recognition and its Impact on Minorities: What Policy Makers Should Consider”

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This paper examines the benefits of facial recognition technology, the danger of inaccuracies and human error, and the need for inclusion in the tech marketplace.  While there is some evidence that FRT has benefited underserved communities, the bias built into these systems must be reduced for communities of color to realize their full advantages.
According to Kevin B. Kimble, Esq., Founder and CEO of FSIC, “As FRT becomes more and more prevalent in people’s lives in the U.S., it is important that disadvantaged communities enjoy the benefits of this technology and not feel the brunt of its disadvantages.” 

FSIC Special Report – The Future of Facial Recognition and its Impact on Minorities: What Policy Makers and Stakeholders Should Consider – April 2022

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The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the emerging technology revolution have brought many incredible advances.  From natural language processing to facial recognition technology to semantic analytics, there are many things to admire and appreciate.  Because modern facial recognition technology (FRT) cannot exist without AI, much of the discussion in this area revolves around the accuracy of the AI component. 
But, as with all things, there are cautionary issues to be taken into account.  One of the most pressing issues is that of racial equity and diversity.  Over the last few years, the US has become ever more aware of its problems with systemic racism and economic disparity.  This awareness has spilled over into discussions about the regulations of the technology industry. 

FSIC AIOF Press Release – FSIC American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (AIOF) and EmsanaRx Announce an Innovative Health Equity Initiative

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Today, the American Innovation and Opportunity Fund (AIOF), in conjunction with pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) EmsanaRx, announced a new initiative to help combat health disparities. Aimed at empowering communities of color and other underserved Americans to access and use the health care resources available in the U.S., this initiative comprises community leaders, academics and corporate leaders committed to this cause.

FSIC Housing Task Force Blog Post – CFPB Warning to Banks, Credit Unions, and Fintech on Potential Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Should not Discourage the Proper Use of Technology

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Recently, the director of the CFPB, Rohit Chopra, publically warned banks that depending too much on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithmic lending during the mortgage application approval process might lead to fair lending violations.  He contends that all AI-based algorithms have built-in bias and will always have some bias.  Our question to the CFPB is, why haven’t they made the same warning to traditional lenders (banks) whose approval processes result in alarming levels of documented bias against disadvantaged and minority borrowers?

FSIC Housing Task Force – Blog Post – GAO: Alternative Data Is Rare but Could Improve Mortgage Terms for Disadvantaged Communities

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One issue our Housing Task Force aims to address is the lack of credit too many consumers face due to the limited information that credit bureaus collect. A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office adds some fresh findings that illuminate the problem.

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AT THE SEC:  The Case for an Investigation

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As has been true in the past with other innovations, regulators have struggled with how to handle this new technology. This could not be any more evident than the actions taken by former Securities and Exchange Commission (US) Chairman Jay Clayton and his chief lieutenant, the former Director of Corporation Finance William Hinman. They were put in charge of the agency that possesses the most power to regulate such companies, but given no specific regulatory framework on how to treat cryptocurrencies – the asset class which powers this new technology. The result was a free hand for Clayton and Hinman to pick winners and losers at whim, which opened the door for potential abuse and self-dealing.

Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Lending Have the Potential to Reduce Discrimination in Mortgage Lending – White Paper March 2021

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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?

Leading Ladies of Richmond and FSIC Black History Month Event: African American Women Small Business Lending Workshop

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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.

Op-Ed – Professional Sport Team Owners in US Prove Socialism Can Work

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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.

The Looming Real Estate Crisis Plus Opportunity Zones Will Exponentially Expand the Wealth Gap

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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

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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.