Female Invest’s Post

A well-written, balanced summary by Female Invest of funding discrimination and its downstream impact.

Funding discrimination isn't just a women's or minority issue; it's a democratic problem. When women and people of colour are denied funding, the problems they face go unaddressed. This impacts everyone, from healthcare and education to technology and everyday products. Research shows that funding discrimination leads to biased AI, limited innovation in industries like beauty and healthcare, and fewer solutions to the challenges faced by marginalized communities. It's time to address this imbalance. We need more diversity in venture capital to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute to innovation and solve the problems that matter most." #fundingdiscrimination #diversityandinclusion #innovation #equity #venturecapital

It has long seemed obvious to some that economic inequalities are an essential fact of life. Unfortunately, that paradigm is due to both cause and consequence of a distorted allocation of political power, and we need to pay attention to politics as much as economics in order to explain it, and clear a path forward as small business owners. For example, think of any advance in social, political, or economic equality that we today generally accept as obviously right and just; women voting, the formal illegality of race based discrimination, etc; these were all ridiculously radical notions once. Do not be discouraged by your situation! The Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) organization that was created to support and uplift it’s small business members, as well as support the empowerment, development, and growth of Black and Minority (Women, Veteran, BIPOC, Seniors, Children, LGBTQIA+ , Disabled) owned businesses in #kerncounty #california . In conclusion, remember that what’s radical today is commonplace tomorrow, and we only get to tomorrow thanks to the hard work of radical people like you today. Call us at 661-554-4491, to discover how the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce can support your business today. 🙏🏿👋🏿

Thursday, at the Fearless Rally for Freedom, we experienced the powerful unity of voices calling for economic justice. This rally, held near the Presidential Debate in Atlanta, was not just an event; it was a declaration that the status quo of venture capital disparities must change. As we continue to challenge systemic barriers that hinder funding for Black women and other women of color in business, our resolve grows stronger. We are advocating vigorously for the Fearless Freedom Economic Civil Rights Act and pressing for an Executive Order to ensure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are more than just words. Our dedicated community of supporters, advisors, and activists play a crucial role in this journey. Your advocacy is paving the way for a more inclusive economy where women of color can thrive in entrepreneurial spaces traditionally dominated by others. We invite our network to join us in this crucial movement. Engage with us, share your insights, and let’s ensure our calls for Economic Justice are heard by policymakers. Together, we can shape an equitable future for all entrepreneurs. #FearlessFund #EconomicJustice #WomenOfColorInBusiness #VentureCapitalDisparity #InclusiveEconomy

My experience with BlackFem previously, sparked something powerful in me—a calling to tackle the deep-rooted inequalities embedded in our financial, legal, and tech systems. I had the opportunity to research the gender and racial wealth gap, finding that Black women experience a substantially wider pay gap than everyone due to the compounded effect of racism and sexism. Single Black women without children have a median wealth of just $200 – but for single Black mothers that number drops to $0. These numbers reflect more than financial disparity—they reflect lives, dreams, and potential held back by systems that weren't designed with us in mind. Presenting my research to the CapitalOne Banks' board was more than a presentation; it was a chance to confront the reality that women of color are still pushed to the margins. It’s not just in finance, but also in tech, law, and policy—spaces where these inequities show up again and again. This work has only strengthened my drive to break down these barriers and advocate for the wealth, security, and respect that women of color deserve. As a Black Muslim woman, the concept of intersectionality deeply resonates with me. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality highlights how overlapping identities—like race, gender, and religion—create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege. This framework is essential to understanding why women of color face compounded barriers. This work isn't just professional; it's personal. I'm excited to connect with changemakers, advocates, and allies passionate about equity in finance, tech, and law + policy. Let’s work together to dismantle these obstacles, create spaces where our voices are heard, and open real pathways for women of color to thrive. There’s so much work to be done, and I’m ready for it. #WealthJustice #WomenOfColor #TechEquality #PolicyChange #BridgingTheGap #KimberléCrenshaw #IntersectionalJustice

Tackling racial wealth gaps - and the generational social and policy actions that created it - can seem daunting. But the solutions are actually quite clear. - Narrow the wage gap (through pay equity and salary transparency laws), - Strengthen anti-poverty efforts (like GBI programs, and expanded Social Security access), - Provide retirement accounts and plans to all workers, - Tackle student loan debt (via student loan forgiveness and more higher education grants), - Expand access to capital for business owners, - Reduce health care costs (and expanding access to those who need it the most), - Provide financial support to caregivers (in the form of paid family, paternal, and maternal leave), AND - Help build generational wealth via homeownership Check out this report from the Urban Institute (and shared by my dear former Warren colleague, Jeremy Bearer-Friend) that explains these solutions in greater depth.

Interesting article which applies not only to British social reality👌🏾In my opinion, this can also be applied to the French, Belgian, Dutch ones, etc. #Rolemodelling #ClassOrigins #ElitePositions #OpennessAtTheTop #Diversifying #ChallengingTheStatusQuo #WhosWho

At this inflection point, economic inclusion is widely recognized as a lever and intended outcome of increasing racial equity. Full economic inclusion of women and underrepresented founders is not only a worthy social imperative, but critical to the nation’s economic prosperity. While increased private sector efforts contribute to bridging the gap towards racial equity, even with billions of dollars committed, they alone cannot reverse systemic failures. Instead, strategic collaboration from the private, public, and civil sectors is required to coalesce resources, expertise, and funding to solutions that address these problems holistically and structurally. Recent trends have highlighted the importance of an equity and intersectional lens to ensure programs do not further exacerbate inequality. Transforming outcomes for women and underrepresented founders requires influence and leadership in the public sphere. Monica Motivates Enterprise is among the chorus of private and public stakeholders striving to increase economic inclusion and eradicate barriers for minority businesses. As a Black woman-owned business with the mission of providing services to accomplish these aims, our firm is uniquely positioned to advise, influence, and effect change with a strategic approach. #economicinclusion #entrepreneur #underrepresented #economicdevelopment #publicpolicy #privatesector

In a time when DEIB initiatives are under threat across the U.S., our proposed fireside chat at SXSW'25, "Confronting the 'Isms': Tackling Racism, Sexism, and Ageism," is more crucial than ever. We need your vote!!! This isn't just about keeping the status quo—it's about fighting back against the systemic biases that continue to hold back Black women and other underserved groups in the workplace. By voting for our panel, you are helping to bring this vital conversation to the forefront and equipping yourself with the tools to make a difference. Why your vote matters: 🗳 Intersectional Insight: Understand how the 'isms' intersect and create unique challenges, particularly for Black women. 🗳 Reclaim DEIB: Learn actionable best practices for sustaining DEIB initiatives that genuinely address the needs of marginalized groups. 🗳 Engage Allies and Leaders: Gain strategies to ensure diversity is a core value in your organization. Vote here: https://lnkd.in/gz-wAEwP before August 18 at 11:59pm PT and help create workplaces where everyone can thrive. 🌟 #SXSW2025 #DEIB #InclusionMatters #VoteForChange #WorkplaceEquity

That’s so true! And especially important in the earliest stages, before you start generating revenue, when an investor needs to be someone who understands the pain and can connect with the project on a personal level. The issue isn’t (just) a lack of VCs- once you’ve fully built your business and have the numbers to show, any VC can relate to revenue. The real problem is the lack of ANGELS who support female and underrepresented founders. That’s where the disparity originates. A lot of great ideas are buried there, and most underrepresented founders never even get the chance to reach the scale stage and pitch to VCs.