Renegade Capital

S3 Ep8 | What does Artificial Intelligence (AI) have to do with financial activism? And what should investors know as the field continues to evolve? This episode Renegade is joined by Katy Knight, President & Executive Director, Siegel Family Endowment and Deepti Doshi, Co-Director, New_Public to learn more about AI and innovation in this field. Our guests share how leveraging technology for the public good is a critical part of building inclusive access to information, education, and wealth-building opportunities.   About Deepti.Deepti Doshi is a community organizer who has been working at the intersection of social change, social media, and leadership development across the private, non-profit and public sectors. As a Director at Meta, Deepti helped establish the New Product Experimentation team and created the Community Partnerships team. She founded Haiyya, India’s largest community organizing platform; Escuela Nueva India, an education company that serves the urban poor; the Fellows Program at Acumen Fund to build leaders for the social enterprise sector. About Katy.Katy Knight is President and Executive Director of Siegel Family Endowment, a foundation focused on the nexus of technology and society. Beginning as Deputy Executive Director in 2017, she has pioneered an inquiry-driven approach to philanthropy, grounded in the scientific method and centered on reframing big questions and learning alongside grantees. Katy has been recognized for her leadership in Crain's Notable Black Leaders in 2022, and City & State’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in 2015. She previously led Community Engagement at Two Sigma and held positions on Google’s Communications and Public Affairs teams, where she acted as a liaison to stakeholders in local government, communities, and nonprofits.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you prepare for the future of AI and investing. Be patient. Whether you are a funder, investor, or everyday activist, this work requires thoughtfulness and patience from everyone involved. That means patient capital, taking time to collect the right input, and thinking long term. Embrace duality. The future of technology can feel both exciting and terrifying, and we have to get comfortable with the fact that there are many possibilities. Find the reasons to be optimistic AND ask the hard questions that will push change for the better.Find ways to use and support tech for public good. Deepti and Katy shared several resources for our listeners to use technology in informed and inclusive ways. New_Public Digital Spaces DirectorySiegel Family Endowment: TechCongressSiegel Family Endowment: Public Interest Technology Case StudiesSupport the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

This week Renegade Capital features a special guest episode from the Progressive Pockets Podcast! Hosted by Genet G.G. Gimja, Progressive Pockets is a podcast at the intersection of social impact and money that covers questions of how we might spend, donate, and invest more in line with our values.In this episode, they talk about ways to line up our values and our money. When we think about the things that keep us up at night. Whether that’s climate change, or homelessness, or the systematic oppression of our communities, we usually talk about how we can claim our power when we vote. Some of us might protest, or organize ourselves in other ways. But what about….our money?Where do we bank, where do we shop, where do we donate?Whether you call it:Impact InvestingEthical InvestingSocially responsible investingSustainable Investing, orValues- Aligned investingYou have probably come across the term "ESG" when looking for investments that line up with your values. Often you may hear the abbreviation used as a shorthand for "socially responsible" investing. But this is a gross misunderstanding of what ESG really means!LinksMSCI ESG Ratings Explained- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79rZm7FCkOU Sustainalytics What is ESG?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwGmtThiwII An Institutional Approach to Gender Diversity and Firm Performance by Letian Zhang- https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=55194 What MSCI’s ESG Ratings are and are not- https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings/what-esg-ratings-are-and-are-notThis episode was originally published here on Progressive Pockets. Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep7 | What does it really mean to invest in social justice, and how do we know it’s making a difference?  And is it something everyone can do? In this episode, Rachel Robasciotti, Founder & CEO of Adasina Social Capital,  joins us to share how they have answered these questions. We’ll talk about how Rachel and Adasina combine data and financial activism to make social justice investing accessible for everyday investors. About Rachel. Rachel J. Robasciotti is the CEO and Founder of Adasina Social Capital, an investment and financial activism firm that serves as a critical bridge between financial markets and social justice movements. Rachel’s passion for social justice investing is rooted in her background as a Black, queer woman and growing up in a community that struggled for safety and financial security within a rural town that was largely segregated. Rachel is a fierce advocate for social justice in the financial industry and is regularly featured in the media as a leader in the field for integrating issues of racial, gender, economic, and climate justice into investment portfolios.Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you invest  for social justice.Review your investments. The best place to start is to take a look under the hood of your existing investments and accounts. The BRIDGE platform, created by Adasina and social justice partners, is a great place to see how your portfolio stacks up according to social justice criteria. Stay informed. Follow organizations like Adasina to stay up-to-date on legislation and the economy are impacting social justice issues. Invest in the Adasina ETF. Adasina’s ETF is easy for anyone to invest in, a one stop shop for social justice investing. You can learn more about the product here. Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep6 | The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with almost 2.2 million people in prison, and 1 in 7 Americans have an immediate family member incarcerated for more than a year. And yet the prison-industrial complex remains a robust, well-funded system. The right data gives us not only a picture of the dire state of incarceration, but a powerful tool to invest in social change. In this episode, Tanay Tatum-Edwards, Founder & CEO of FreeCap Financial, shares how social justice-informed financial data can help investors take real action against mass incarceration. About Tanay.Tanay Tatum-Edwards is the founder and CEO of FreeCap Financial, Inc, a research company that provides investors and money managers with intelligent, social-justice oriented data to equip individuals and collectives with the tools they need to enact positive change in this world. Before FreeCap, she developed a lifelong commitment to using investment strategies to create systemic social change while working in asset management. Tanay has multiple loved ones impacted by mass incarceration and is committed to using her expertise to address it. Prestigious fellowships have supported her work, including Echoing Green, Fulbright, Halcyon Incubator, and Roddenberry Foundation.Tanay regularly shares insights from FreeCap’s research at events, including SOCAP, Confluence Philanthropy, Stanford University, Vassar College, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and Yale University. Her thought leadership has been spotlighted in major news outlets, including MarketWatch. A foodie, NBA fan, and lover of hip-hop, Tanay received an M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, where her classmates elected her commencement speaker, and a B.A. in Africana Studies & Sociology from Vassar College, where she served as student body president.Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you use your investments to fight mass incarceration. Check if your investments are incarceration-free. As You Sow has a great resource to see if your 401k or personal portfolio is prison-free. You can also share this resource with your advisor and ask questions about other ways to decarcerate your investments. They also have some great suggestions as part of the Prison-Free Action Toolkit. Join the Waitlist for FreeCap’s Free Prison Risk Index. FREE is an index that makes it possible to invest in companies who lead in fair chance hiring and disrupt the prison industrial complex. The index will be made up of FreeCap’s highest rated companies and will be the first of its kind to incorporate a companies’ fair chance hiring practices and prison risk mitigation efforts. Join the waitlist Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep5 | To “MacGuyver” something is to use something in an inventive way, using what you have in a creative way to repair or make something new. In the context of finance, traditional capital systems don’t always work with the resources we have on hand, so many of us find ways to “MacGuyver” money to fit our needs as best we can. In this episode, Lakota Vogel shares how Four Bands Community Fund finds inventive solutions to make products and services that work for local Indigenous communities. Four Bands translates the traditional Lakota values of self-sufficiency, wise resource management, and a spirit of entrepreneurship into practical applications for today’s modern economy.  About Lakota.Lakota Vogel is the Executive Director at Four Bands. In this role, Lakota provides leadership for Four Bands, establishes new and fosters existing partnerships, and leads and manages efforts to reach organizational goals. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Lakota served as the Assistant Director at Four Bands for five years. Before Four Bands, Lakota taught on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation at Todd County High School with Teach for America. Lakota obtained a BA in Sociology at the University of Notre Dame and an MA in Social Work Degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Lakota also completed a summer fellowship with National Congress of American Indians, served on the Native American Alumni Board of Directors at the University of Notre Dame, and initiated program evaluations at the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. In recognition of her leadership, initiative, and dedication, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development named Lakota as part of its 2018 class of “Native American 40 under 40.” Currently, Lakota serves on USDA’s Equity Commission and sits on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ board of directors. Lakota is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to support financial solutions that work for Indigenous communities.Challenge Your Assumptions About Risk. It’s easy to rely on our pre-existing notions of financial concepts like risk, without stopping to wonder if those definitions really work for everyone. Don’t just rely on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to challenge the status quo. Stop to ask questions about the community you’re investing in, their needs, and the value they bring to the deal.Learn About Other Financial Systems. In order to find creative capital solutions, we can look to other cultures and communities for inspiration. Get educated on the values and history of native communities and what institutions like Four Bands Community Fund are doing to serve their clients. Offer Your Time and Expertise.  Once you have learned more, find a place to serve as a volunteer, board member, or advisory committee member. Offer your networks and your voice to support Indigenous communities from a leadership position. Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep4 | Climate change is impacting not only our oceans and ozone, but our own cities and homes. That means there are environmental, economic, and social repercussions that we have to start thinking about today. Investing in climate resilience means finding ways to prepare people and communities for our climate-changed world. In this episode, Andrew Crosson and Baylen Campbell from Invest Appalachia share how they are using the existing strengths of Central Appalachia and economic development to create a climate-resilient region.About Invest Appalachia.Invest Appalachia is a regional blended capital platform, designed to accelerate and expand community investment across Central Appalachia. About Andrew.As Invest Appalachia’s founding CEO, Andrew (he/him/his) is responsible for overall strategy and impact. Andrew has been integral to the planning and design of IA since its inception. Previously, Andrew worked for 9 years with Rural Support Partners to advance community economic development in Appalachia, leading major initiatives related to local food systems development, clean energy, impact investing, network development, non-profit management, and strategic planning. Andrew was born and raised on a family farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  0:00 Host Discussion5:59 Guest Interview Starts43:24 Host Wrap UpAbout Baylen.Baylen Campbell (he/him/his) is Invest Appalachia’s Director of Community Impact. Originally from and based in Hazard, Kentucky Baylen brings experience working as an economic development and social impact practitioner. In partnership with the Community Advisory Council Baylen leads IA's Catalytic Capital development, deployment, and community accountability. Additionally, he manages IA's impact measurement, policy research, and partnership development with a focus on capacity building. He is passionate about utilizing strategic communications and storytelling to shift outdated narratives of Appalachia. Renegade Capital Tools & Tips. A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to support climate resilience with your dollars. Learn about the Climate Impact in Appalachia. Invest Appalachia has released a new report on Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia which is packed with data about the impact of climate change in the region and the opportunities for investor engagement. Bring a Climate Lens to Everything. The impact of Climate change isn’t limited to environmental work, it will affect all of our work. Whatever your role or investment focus, climate should be part of your approach. Invest in Climate Resilience. If you’re an institutional investor or grantor, you can find place-based projects like Invest Appalachia who are already working on climate resilience in their communities. Individuals can learn more about initiatives local to their own cities to see how they can support climate resilience at home. Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep 3 | According to a new study, Black and Hispanic real estate developers together make up less than 1 percent of their industry. This gap in the real estate industry isn’t just a representation crisis, it’s also a huge missed opportunity – the study estimates a more diverse industry could create more than $100 billion in new revenue. Investing in systemic change could close this gap and actually bring lasting economic growth to many communities. US Bancorp Impact Finance, a subsidiary of US Bank, has taken a lead role in addressing systemic issues by investing in community development across the nation. In this episode Miranda Walker, US Bancorp’s Affordable Housing Impact Capital Manager, shares how they are creatively working with CDFIs and BIPOC led developers to uplift local communities.About Miranda.Miranda Walker joined U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance in 2022. In her role as impact capital manager, Miranda focuses on deploying capital to emerging developers of color. Prior to joining U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, she managed the development of affordable housing in the Twin Cities. Her nearly 15 years of development experience involved feasibility analyses, site acquisition, entitlement, design development, construction management, financial modeling, tax credit application and financing, and permanent financing conversion. In addition to her affordable housing work, Miranda has served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Brooklyn Park and as a volunteer for Hands On Twin Cities and Habitat for Humanity. Currently, she serves on the board of Alliance Housing and provides advisory support for Twin Cities LISC. Miranda earned a B.A. in Studies of Cinema and Media Culture and a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode for taking action to increase diversity in real estate development.Invest in diverse and emerging developers: There are opportunities for investors at every level to use capital to support diverse and emerging real estate developers. Everyday investors can open accounts and place deposits with banks that drive this work, like US Bank and local CDFIs. Institutional investors, other developers, and philanthropists can look for partners and initiatives already committed to this work. Find the diverse developers in your community: Grove has published a map and directory of Black and Hispanic developers to assist those who want to connect and do business with these developers. Learn about the ongoing work in your own community and stay up to date on the current issues they face. Invest With US Bancorp Impact Finance: If your organization wants to expand its investment portfolio to include real estate that supports developers and communities of color, contact US Bancorp Impact Finance to learn how you can drive systemic change.Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S3 Ep1| After a year where The Barbie Movie, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce have all broken records in the entertainment industry, the world has gotten a glimpse of the economic power of women. According to the US Department of State, the financial contributions of women are vital for achieving a more stable and secure financial system. In this episode guests Beth Bafford and Anna Mabrey from Calvert Impact share why investing in gender equity is not just good for women – it's good for business and good for society.About Calvert Impact.Calvert Impact is a nonprofit investment firm that has helped thousands of people and institutions channel over $2 billion in impact investments to social enterprises throughout the US and around the world. About Anna.As Director on the Investor Relations team at Calvert Impact, Anna’s goal is to collaborate with institutional investors and Financial Advisors, using the Community Investment Note and across asset classes, to build the impact investing space and make a more sustainable and equitable world.About Beth.Beth leads Calvert Impact Capital's strategy and new business development efforts to build financial products and services that accelerate private capital for the benefit of communities in the US and around the world. She leads the organization’s syndications and structuring practice and oversees corporate strategy, communications and impact management and measurement. Beth serves on the Advisory Board for the CASE Initiative on Impact Investing (CASEi3) at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, the Investment Committee for the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation, the Impact Investment Committee for the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Advisory Board of Higher Ground Labs, and the Board of Founders First Capital Partners. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and four young children.Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to invest in women's economic power.Build confidence through resources: There are many resources and communities available that can help you become more confident in your financial skills. Review your current portfolio and consider investing in products that support women. Support the Fearless Fund and donate to The Fearless Foundation. Openly discuss money with the women and girls in your life.Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence. Please listen at your own discretion. S3 Ep1What does financial freedom mean to you? For many survivors of domestic violence, financial freedom means having the ability to leave an abusive relationship. Financial, gender-based violence is expensive, and 84% of survivors identify financial insecurity as their biggest barrier to safety. In this episode, Kimberly Jones and Nuray Ozbay from Self-Help Credit Union and Amy Durrence from FreeFrom talk with us about how allies can actually use their investments to support survivors of economic violence and help them achieve financial independence. Featuring: Amy Durrence, Director of Systems Change Initiatives, FreeFromKimberly Jones, Director of Community Engagement-Midwest, Self-Help Federal Credit UnionNuray Ozbay, Investment Officer, Self-Help Federal Credit Union Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to support financial independence for all. Look at your banking relationship: Does your bank have initiatives to help you invest in women’s financial freedom? If you want to know more about what this could look like, check out Self-Help Credit Union’s work to support women and how you can invest in their Women & Children’s Certificate of Deposit.Learn more about financial abuse: We don’t hear about financial abuse very often, so take this opportunity to learn more about what it looks like and how to prevent it. Stay informed: Follow FreeFrom and other advocacy organizations to stay informed about how you can use your dollars and your vote to support financial freedom for survivors of domestic abuse. Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S2 Ep 9How do the different pieces of impact finance all come together in the actual experience of small businesses? And when it’s time for the rubber to meet the road, are entrepreneurs receiving support that is truly helpful, or just extractive? Gabby Goodwin founded GaBBY Bows with her mom, Rozalynn, when she was just 7, and has since achieved incredible success and notoriety. In this episode Gabby and Rozalynn share with us their experience navigating the discrepancy that can come between public support and actual collaboration. About Gabby and Rozalyn.Fifteen-year-old Gabby is the CEO of Confidence. At the age of seven, she and her mom Rozalynn solved the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, the first, patented and non-slip Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette. GaBBY Bows, along with their full line of plant-based girls’ natural hair styling products that reduce detangling time and tears and maintain moisture for days, and girls’ salon remove stress from the styling process so moms, dads and girls can bond over beauty. The company launched and began selling barrettes through its online store at gabbybows.com in February 2014. The mother-daughter duo has since filled online orders to all 50 states in the U.S. and in thirteen countries. Gabby became a six-figure entrepreneur by the sixth grade and has been featured in major national media outlets. In 2015 she was named South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the youngest to ever receive this award. The children’s book Gabby Invents the Perfect Hair Bow chronicles Gabby’s entrepreneurial journey. Gabby manages or is engaged in all aspects of the business, from inventory to speaking at schools and business conferences and sales taxes to writing thank you notes to every customer who orders products online. Rozalynn also serves as Vice President for Engagement and a lobbyist for the SC Hospital Association, is a Liberty Fellow and manages the career of her husband Comedian Mike Goodwin.Renegade Tools and Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you make a difference for small businesses. Collaborate on Solutions: Supporting people and communities excluded from traditional systems means finding non-traditional solutions. Be willing to consider approaches that play to their strengths and successes. Contribute Your Time and Talent: Supporting underinvested communities and businesses can look like offering your time and expertise. Taking the time to really listen to the needs of communities, and offering relevant, supportive advice, is a great place to start.Support Your Local CDFIs: We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, community lenders make a difference! CDFIs can offer small businesses like GaBBY Bows non-traditional financing options for development and growth. Support GaBBY Bows: Be sure to check out GaBBY Bows and share them with someone you know might love their products! Subscribe | Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

S2 Ep9When investors turn to rural America, they often bring assumptions about life and communities there, both positive and negative. These assumptions, no matter how well intentioned, can sometimes result in the wrong type of investment for that community, or even no investment at all. In this episode Renegade Capital is joined by two experienced Appalachian investors,  Stephanie Randolph, Deputy Director of the Cassiopeia Foundation and Sara Morgan, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Fahe. Stephanie and Sara share why successfully investing in rural America means listening to the people who live there and determining solutions grounded in their existing strengths and needs. About Sara.Sara Morgan has worked for nearly thirty years to improve the economic strength of Appalachia. She is an expert in financing housing, infrastructure, community facilities, nonprofits, and community development. Ms. Morgan has been with Fahe for 20 years and recently led two successful applications to the CDFI Bond Guarantee program, resulting in $60M coming to Appalachia and raising $50M from the USDA Community Facilities Relending Program for communities of persistent poverty.  She serves on the Boards of Invest Appalachia, Homeownership Council of America, as well as the Freddie Mac Affordable Housing Advisory Council, the Fannie Mae Rural Duty To Serve Advisory Council, and the Steering Committee of Homeownership Alliance.About Stephanie.Stephanie Randolph is Deputy Director of the Cassiopeia Foundation, formerly Blue Moon Fund, an innovative philanthropic investment vehicle that seeks to achieve its programmatic priorities solely through impact investing vehicles. In her role at Cassiopeia, Stephanie works to strategically identify investment opportunities that will advance the environmental and social impacts, as defined by the founding family, while producing non-extractive financial returns.  Stephanie is also the President of Invest Appalachia and currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Appalachia Funders Network.  Renegade Tools and Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to support impactful, sustainable investment in rural America. Support CDFIs: Find a CDFI in your area, or a national community loan fund, and ask how you can help. Whether with donations, investments, or time, your gifts can support rural communities. Work with Community Foundations: Local community foundations are excellent partners for rural investment. Embedded in the places they serve, community foundations can usually articulate the most helpful ways to contribute. Get Proximate: Challenge your personal assumptions about rural America by learning more about the communities and people who live there. We’ve included some great places to start from our guests:A Once in a Generation Opportunity, FaheAddressing Philanthropic Blind Spots, FaheImpact Stories, Appalachian Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, we saw a significant rise in commitments to investing in Black communities and businesses. Now, two years later, where do those commitments stand? Did the CDFIs, corporates, banks, and philanthropies ever back up their promises?  In Episode 7 we talk with Robert E. James, II, President & CEO of Carver Financial Corporation about what he’s seen as head of one of only 19 Black-owned banks in the US, as well as what is needed for sustainable future investments. About Robert. Robert leverages his experiences in banking, law, real estate development, and consulting to provide the building blocks to financial freedom at Carver Financial Corporation, and its main operating subsidiary, Carver State Bank in Savannah, GA. Robert, who was recently named to his current role with the holding company, has led the 95-year-old bank to several accomplishments over his fifteen-year tenure. This includes making Carver the first community bank in Georgia to ever win an allocation of federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), which they have done twice in the past four years. Since October 2020, he has served as Chairman of the National Bankers Association, the leading advocacy group for the nation’s minority banks. Also a board member of the Community Development Bankers Association and National Black Bank Foundation, Robert is a sought-after Congressional hearing witness, speaker, and panelist. He also serves on the  FDIC’s Advisory Committee on Community Banking and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. Renegade Tools and Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you support Black-owned banks at any asset level.Bank Black: Find a Black-owned bank that you can meaningfully support. This looks like building a long-term banking relationship and considering the capacity and needs of the bank.Some of these banks are ready to take your deposits! Talk to the bank you’re considering to find out what options are available.Encourage your employer, particularly at large organizations, to bank Black. These organizations have the assets to provide ongoing capital flow to and support community growth.Be Accountable: We can all continue to look for ways to support Black communities, even when there is not a politically hot moment. By holding corporations and investors accountable to their commitments, we can ensure Black communities receive sustainable capital where it’s needed most. Love the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 6Many of us have stories of attending conferences and feeling like the voices on stage resemble something like a one-note choir. Underrepresentation of women and people of color continues to be a problem throughout financial services, and it often feels painfully evident at professional gatherings and conferences. To try and change this, Sonya Dreizler and Liv Gagnon founded CHOIR, the first diversity certification for financial conferences. This week, Sonya and Liv join Renegade Capital to share why they believe increasing representation is important and how CHOIR is meant to help. About Choir. Choir (www.hellochoir.com) is the financial industry’s first conference diversity certification and a diversity-tech platform focused on amplifying the voices of women, non-binary people, and people of color.  About the Guests.Sonya is an author and speaker, and an outspoken advocate for racial and gender equity in financial services. She has a 20 year history in the field, including as a Broker Dealer & RIA executive.Liv is a media relations specialist, public relations consultant, and branding expert who has helped dozens of companies launch into the public eye with a focus on social values.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you support increased representation in the industry’s it’s needed most. Sign the Pledge: As a conference attendee, speaker, or sponsor, you can use your voice to sign the Choir pledge as a public commitment for attending diverse conferences. The pledge requires conferences, whether in financial services or beyond, to meet a minimum standard of representation and anti-harassment.  Look for Representation at the Conferences You Attend: Before signing up for a conference or public event, take a look at the agenda and event policies to see if it meets the minimum standard for representation. If it doesn’t, Choir has resources for reaching out to conference organizers about increasing diversity. Get Choir Certified: If you are planning a financial conference consider getting Choir certified. Start by reviewing the Choir diversity scoring to see where your event needs to improve to expand representation and increase attendee safety.Expand Your Familiar Networks: We all have the power to increase conference representation by growing our professional networks. When attending an event make an effort to meet people outside of your usual circles, and then invite them to future events they may not otherwise attend. Love the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Signup for our newsletterLinkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 5In this episode, Senator Jennifer McClellan shares her experience navigating the intersection of government and economy in Virginia and beyond.  While an influx of capital presents a momentous opportunity for local communities, the public sector must play a role in building sustainable, inclusive economies.  The co-hosts ask the big questions of Senator McClellan:  With interest in “investing for good” on the rise, how can government policy play a role? How can our elected representatives help make this happen?About Senator Jennifer McClellan.Growing up as the child of community leaders and educators, Jenn McClellan has always felt a calling to public service to strengthen her community and ensure that every Virginian has an opportunity to succeed. She brought those values, passion and commitment to justice to the Virginia legislature, representing the greater Richmond area. She served in the House of Delegates from 2006-2017 and has served in the Senate since 2017. Jenn has earned a reputation as an effective, constituent services-oriented legislator.  She’s been a driving force for progressive change in Virginia, leading the passage of landmark laws to invest in education, grow small business, expand health care access, ban discrimination, safeguard workers’ rights, civil rights, and voting rights, reform the criminal justice system, protect a woman’s right to choose, and tackle climate change. As Chair of the Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, Jenn promotes Dr. King’s legacy and continues his work, particularly racial healing, economic and social justice, and community engagement. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, leading legislative efforts for civil rights and equity.  As the first House member to be pregnant while in office, she has been a fierce protector of women’s reproductive rights, children, and families. Renegade Capital Tools & Tips.A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you take action where policy and money meet. Stay Informed: Whether at the local, state, or national level, stay informed on policies that address economic inequality. Find your representatives or grassroots advocacy groups and ask what issues they are working on that you might want to support. Get Out the Vote: Policy change is critical for ensuring sustainable change, so use your voice to vote. You can also mobilize others in your community around important elections and ballot measures. Learn and Share: Senator Jennifer McClellan points out that we need to change not only economic and government systems, but also narratives around economic inequality in the US. Seek out resources that teach how historical policy decisions impact our systems today, and what reforms could result in long-term change. Then share what you learn with your colleagues, friends, and community. Renegade Capital Resources: Historical Timeline; Reading ListLove the podcast? Subscribe Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 4Over the next 25 years, as much as $68 trillion in wealth will pass from baby boomers to their GenX and Millennial children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, studies show that this younger crop of investors place a much greater emphasis on values when it comes to money management than their predecessors. Will “The Great Wealth Transfer,” as it’s called, then disrupt Wall Street’s profit-first-damage-control-later approach? For some answers, we turn to Community Capital Management (CCM), a financial management firm that has studied the phenomenon in detail. We’re joined in this episode by Alyssa Greenspan and Jessica Botelho of CCM who, along with filling us in the The Great Wealth Transfer, share point-in-time stories from their visits to properties CCM played a role in financing.About Community Capital ManagementCommunity Capital Management, LLC (CCM) is a fund management firm founded in 1998 with a flagship impact bond fund, the CCM Community Impact Bond Fund. CCM’s earliest investors were banks looking to meet community development investing under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Given the growth in demand for impact and ESG investments, today the firm continues to specialize in helping their clients align their dollars with impact.Alyssa GreenspanAs President and Chief Operating Officer, Alyssa Greenspan is responsible for strategic planning, human resources, and new product development.  Alyssa began her career at Northern Trust Bank rising to investment officer before joining Morningstar, Inc. as a senior equity analyst covering the financial services sector. In 2003, Alyssa joined CCM as a portfolio manager and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2009 and president in 2015.Jessica BotelhoAs director of impact and CRA research, Jessica Botelho is responsible for overseeing all impact and CRA research and reporting at CCM. She develops measurement tools, aggregates and analyzes impact and CRA data, and contributes to the development and refinement of CCM’s proprietary impact tracking database.Renegade Capital is proud and grateful to have Alyssa and Jessica on the show, as well as for CCM’s sponsorship.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you invest in local communities.Start Investing for Impact Now: Whether you have a 401k or manage an endowment, you can start investing for impact now. Online platforms have increased access to customized investing at every asset level, making it easier to manage your own investments or find a values-aligned advisor. You can find some ideas to get started here.Listen to Next Gen Investors: As the wealth shift happens it becomes more important than ever for advisors to talk to their Gen Z, Millennial, and Gen X clients. Here are some tips for financial advisors to engage millennials in their practice.Join a Values-Aligned Community: There are many opportunities to get involved wSupport the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 3Initially billed as a tool to give individual donors more control over their giving activity and accelerate charity, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) have become controversial in the world of philanthropy. On top of the generous tax-savings these funds provide their donors, how, where, or even if the money gets distributed faces next to no official scrutiny, leading to charges that DAFs are more stealth-vehicles for wealthy patrons to dodge the IRS than legitimate charitable enterprises. On this episode of Renegade Capital, we invite Kat Taylor to discuss the problems with DAFs and the legislation currently on the table that aims to reform them. About Kat Taylor.Having lived through the tumultuous 1960s, Kat Taylor vividly remembers that era’s struggles for justice and equality. Those fights against bigotry and brutality remain unresolved to this day, and Kat is committed to being an ally against the exploitative economies that undermine the American dream for so many. Through her office, she works in service of restoring social, racial, and gender justice and environmental well-being for an equitable and inclusive world by championing legislation in her home state of California. Currently, she serves as Co-Founder and Board Chair of Beneficial State Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution and certified B Corporation that makes banking more accessible to underserved communities in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner – and aims to change the banking system for good. Kat is also a member of the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving, a coalition advocating for common-sense reforms to get more resources into the hands of working charities faster. Her recent activity has put a spotlight on the many problems with Donor Advised Funds as a charitable vehicle, a perspective we are grateful to have on Renegade Capital.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you invest in local communities.Support reform legislation: Contact your Congressional representative to support the ACE act and other critical reforms for charitable spending. Learn more at acceleratecharitablegiving.org/reforms.Sign the Good Life Pledge: The Good Life Pledge is a commitment for donors to “shift a third of all the assets under our control to community stewardship, ownership, and control” within their lifetime. You can learn more about joining this coalition at goodlifepledge.com.Amplify charitable giving in your own community: You don’t have to use a donor fund to contribute to your community! Donate directly to local charities like food banks and organizations that provide resources, shelter, and mental health services.Love the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Signup for our newsletter Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 2 Despite what Hollywood teaches us, technology is not an objective bystander to history. Quite the opposite. Technology imbibes the attitude and biases of the human beings and systems that create it, and in the financial world, this means that Wall Street fintech (financial technology) absorbs the classic Wall Street mentality and biases for making “objective” financial decisions. This of course doesn’t bode well for the small businesses and underserved communities on Main Street who are feeling the squeeze from COVID and a market logic that capitalizes on players who are already ‘winning’ the game. As smaller, supposedly ‘good’ capital providers like CDFIs adopt more advanced platforms to serve their users, is there any hope they can avoid these built-in biases? On this episode of Renegade Capital, we talk to David Taliaferro (pronounced ‘tah-liv-er’) who co-founded a lending platform that aims to accomplish exactly that.About David.David Taliaferro (pronounced ‘tah-liv-er’) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lenderfit, a software platform that makes it easier for Lenders to work with small business loan applicants. Prior to Lenderfit he was a Principal at Access Ventures, creating and implementing access to capital solutions with innovative risk mitigation strategies. In January of 2014, he became a Fellow with the non-profit organization called Kiva which facilitates crowdfunded micro-loans for entrepreneurs in the United States and around the world. David's chief goal in his work is helping to increase access to equitable capital for entrepreneurs across the nation, which he accomplishes by offering a better class of tech platform for those who need it. Our thanks go out to David for sharing his approach with our listeners and to Lenderfit for sponsoring Renegade Capital.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you make a difference. Help demystify the lending process: If you are a lender, consider working with intermediaries like Lenderfit that connect you to the borrowers you’d like to support. CDFIs in particular, have a great opportunity to expand their ability to reach borrowers without further straining already limited resources.Seek out tech for good: Lenderfit is just one of the growing number of companies seeking to use technology to increase access to capital and create social good. Look for opportunities in your own work to support tech platforms that drive positive impact. Support small businesses: Supporting small businesses with your dollars and voice can improve their chances of securing a critical loan. Take the time to find local businesses in your area for your favorite products, activities, and services. Love the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Signup for our newsletterMore EpisodesLinkedin | Twitter | Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Season 2, Episode 1Guest: Dave McCormack, President, Waukeshaw Development Real-estate developers as a class have a less than stellar reputation across much of the United States. You generally don’t become a villainous Hollywood archetype by accident, and it’s small-wonder given the countless stories of harmful gentrification where members of marginalized communities are pushed out to make way for a more profitable type of resident. However, many areas left behind by our unequal economic system are in need of some kind of revitalization. The question remains, then: can development be done right? For a new perspective on the issue, Renegade Capital turns to long-time, Virginia-based developer David McCormack on his approach to the practice that attempts to prioritize playing to community strengths.About Dave. With roots in the music world, David McCormack is president of Waukeshaw Development, Inc., a leader in historic tax credit development in many challenging markets across Southside Virginia. He specializes in reuse and revitalization projects, including, the revitalization of a six-block neighborhood in Petersburg, Virginia; the repurposing of historic schools in many  Virginia towns and counties, including Bedford, Cape Charles, and Roanoke; and numerous historic warehouses across the state. In the course of his work, David reevaluates the communities and people that have been left behind by mainstream capital, seeking to develop areas by leveraging their pre-existing strengths. Renegade Capital is thankful to David for taking the time to share his strategies for building a community’s wealth with our audience.Renegade Capital Tools & TipsA renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you support local communities.Support local real estate developers who are uplifting smaller communities: Developers need your help when presenting before your local city or county council. If they are proposing a development project that will help your community, either attend the meeting to voice your approval or send a letter of support to the council.Place your cash in a community bank or credit union: One of the easiest ways you can support communities is by moving your money to a community bank or credit union. The institution uses these funds to provide fair loans and financial services to underestimated communities.Contact your elected officials about historic tax credits: Tax credits encourage real estate development in smaller communities. Contact your elected representatives to let them know you support these tax credits because they can support groups often overlooked and underserved.Love the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Signup for our newsletterMore EpisodesLinkedin | Twitter | Facebook | InstaSupport the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

UNC Chapel Hill’s Impact's Careers with Impact Forum is an annual conference that offers MBA and undergraduate business students the opportunity to learn the skills and perspectives needed for an impact-driven career in business from experienced leaders in the field. This year, the university was gracious enough to host a fireside chat with Renegade Capital. During the talk, Leah and Ebony candidly discuss their own career trajectories and how they’ve carved successful niches in the social finance space. With the University’s generous support, we’re pleased to be able to share this bonus episode capturing the conversation in its entirety.Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list

Can investors be activists?A lot of emphasis is placed on the failures of institutional investment practices to fix the holes in our capital ecosystems, but what if there were ways for regular people to do good with the money they have? What if people were empowered to park their money in sustainable ways instead of contributing to destructive financial vehicles? To answer these questions, we talk to Phuong Luong, an educator and financial planner who specializes in helping individuals and families invest in sustainable and regenerative investments. She also talks us through what to look for in a financial planner and warning signs to look out for.About Phuong.Phuong Luong is a leading voice for the shift in capital from extraction to an economy built on solidarity. As a financial educator and planner, she specializes in working with individuals and families, focusing on ESG and regenerative investing in community loan funds, land trusts, and cooperatives. Her deep understanding of the historical barrier to wealth building comes from her experiences as a former public-school teacher and nonprofit professional, a student of financial history and structural/systemic inequality, and from her own upbringing. A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you invest in local communities.Understand your personal history and emotion with money: What were you taught about money growing up and how has that impacted how you use and engage with money today? Were you taught to be proud of the money you have? Is there shame with money?Get organized and see all that you own: Look at all of your account balances (bank, investment, retirement, debts, etc) so you'll know what you have. Do this at least once a year and around big life changes so you'll know what you have and owe.Review your cash flow: See how much you bring in each month and how much you spend each month. This way you'll be able to see what your priorities are based on your spending and if you have excess funds to invest sustainably.Check out The Next Egg to learn about sustainable investing for your retirement funds: The Next Egg is a vibrant forum of  "do-it-yourselfers" who want to invest in sustainable investments outside of Wall Street. They provide webinars and other resources to help you make informed decisions.Check Out As You Sow to see how responsible your current investments are:  You are able to look up the ratings of various index and mutual funds to see how they score on various issue screenings.Look for a fee-only advisor who is a fiduciary: You don't have to take this journey alone. Work with a fee-only advisor who is a fiduciary standard and is committed to helping you invest in the causes that are most important to you. (If you're interested in working with Phuong, contact her here.)Support the showLove the podcast? Subscribe and follow to never miss an episode.Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Join our mailing list