As co-founder and CEO of LoanWell, Bernard Worthy is focused on affordable capital for ALL.

"Access to capital is so super important to the long term stability of a family, of a community, and ultimately wealth generation. How do we create affordable capital for all? Not just those that are most privileged or know how to run the system or know the right folks or know the right numbers or so on and so forth. How do we actually create true equitable access? Because capital can be so catalytic to your life."

Today, Bernard shares his LoanWell journey, including how he connected with our second guest Justin Dawkins, managing partner of Collab Capital.

Equity Raise is hosted by Naya Fela Powell, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

This episode is brought to you by DEI Navigator from The Diversity Movement, a new, monthly membership service designed exclusively for small- to medium-sized businesses who are committed to DEI action and results. It’s everything you need all in one place - access to proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, expert curated content, how-to guides, training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy.

Live from the roof of The Durham Hotel at the Google for Startups Black Founders Exchange, host Naya Fela Powell brings on a panel of Black CEOs (Sonja Ebron, Courtroom 5; April Johnson, Happied) along with private investor Tony Wilkins, to share their stories of building their companies and raising capital in the process.

Equity Raise is hosted by Naya Fela Powell, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

This episode is brought to you by DEI Navigator from The Diversity Movement, a new, monthly membership service designed exclusively for small- to medium-sized businesses who are committed to DEI action and results. It’s everything you need all in one place - access to proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, expert curated content, how-to guides, training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy.

Live from the roof of American Underground at the Google for Startups Black Founders Exchange, Greg Hedgepeth shares his why for creating Substantial Magazine, his challenge of finding funding, and how he connected with Donald Thompson who ultimately would become his first angel investor.

Greg Hedgepeth is the founder and CEO of Substantial Magazine, where "We are substantial and so is our purpose!"

Donald Thompson is the CEO of The Diversity Movement, angel investor, author of Underestimated: A CEO's Unlikely Path to Success, and host of the High Octane Leadership Podcast.

Equity Raise is guest hosted by Dezbee McDaniel, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

This episode is brought to you by DEI Navigator from The Diversity Movement, a new, monthly membership service designed exclusively for small- to medium-sized businesses who are committed to DEI action and results. It’s everything you need all in one place - access to proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, expert curated content, how-to guides, training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy.