Blaze Group

After 8 impactful years, 1863? Ventures (founded by Melissa Bradley) is closing its doors… for a new chapter. It has been announced that Washington, DC-based 1863 Ventures is closing its doors. The non-profit has provided business development programs, coaching, mentorship, and capital access to new entrepreneurs. The vision has been to create $100Bn in wealth for the “New Majority” (Black and brown entrepreneurs), and founders to date have benefited from the $7MM investment pool. “We’re no longer lacking technical assistance or training programs for Black founders,” she told the Washington Business Journal. “What we’re lacking is a level of credibility and sustainability around, ‘Once a founder graduates, what happens next?” Another organization called New Majority Ventures is now taking shape, functioning as a for-profit that helps founders through their next stage of growth. I love this evolution — as I believe #sustainability is an under-addressed issue in a landscape where firms have largely pushed for growth. We need reimagined metrics + ROI frameworks measuring holistic economic impact over decades, not sprints (jobs created, ripple effects on family/community economic activity, evolution stories, founder wealth portfolio shifts, regenerative capital cycles, etc.). #Revolutionary leaps require #evolutionary strides.

Have a great idea but not sure what comes next? Join me tomorrow for a live, hands-on workshop focused on taking your innovation to the next level by developing a clear mission and vision statement. This session will guide you in crafting a strong foundation for success, providing a strategic direction to bring your idea to life. Key Takeaways: ?? Learn the essentials of creating impactful mission and vision statements for your idea. ?? Workshop your concept in a collaborative environment to define its purpose and direction. ?? Leave with a foundational mission statement that sets the stage for future growth and success. ?? Date: November 19 ? Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ?? Location: Build in Tulsa HQ, 124 Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK RSVP Here: https://ow.ly/oQtE50U6lhX

Partnerships that transform communities. At Blaze Group, we’re on a mission to make #financialeducation accessible, actionable, and empowering for entrepreneurs everywhere. ?? Ready to collaborate? Visit us at blazegroupllc.com/finance to learn more. #FinancialEducation #EntrepreneurshipSupport #BlazeGroup #StrategicPartnerships

The Inclusive Fintech Playbook Is Here! ?? At Blaze Group, we’re passionate about driving innovation that makes financial tools accessible and empowering for all. That’s why we’ve created “The Inclusive Fintech Playbook: 50 Trends in User-Centric Design.” ?? Inside this FREE guide, you’ll discover: ??50 cutting-edge trends shaping the future of fintech. ??Recommendations on breaking barriers to inclusion. ??Actionable strategies to simplify finance and build trust. ?? This playbook is your roadmap to creating fintech solutions that truly resonate with marginalized users. Whether you’re a startup founder or a corporate innovator, this guide has the insights you need to stay ahead. ?? Download your free copy today: https://lnkd.in/eBpEqQ4z Let’s shape the future of finance together. ?? #BlazeGroup #FintechInnovation #InclusiveFinance #UserExperienceDesign

Blended Capital is a strategic approach to equitable finance. Capital doesn’t always flow to where it’s most needed. As Luca Torre of GAWA Capital aptly said, “The issue is not a lack of solutions but their distribution.” This is why the strategy of #blendedcapital is so vital in creating sustainable change, especially in underserved markets around the globe. Blended capital leverages #firstloss capital — typically provided by philanthropies or public funds — as a layer of protection to de-risk financial schemes and attract commercial and institutional investors. For example: ??Philanthropies offer #catalyticfunding that can serve as ‘grant-like’ liquidity at the base of an experimental fund. The capital should be regenerative (with repayments flowing back into the pool to be lent out again), but the capital layer can also absorb losses absent of crippling penalties. ??Development banks, with higher risk tolerances than commercial banks, provide the next layer of capital. They take on debt that is subordinated to senior debt holders, this being elevated risk in exchange for higher returns. ??Traditional commercial banks can come in at the top of the stack as senior debt holders, having the least risk exposure but also lower returns. What you end up with is a fund that is large enough to scale impact and learn across a myriad of targeted cohort groups. This tiered approach allows each stakeholder to engage at a level aligned with their risk appetite, elegantly ensuring capital flows where it’s most needed without compromising the financial system’s stability. I saw blended capital approaches in action while working with Hello Tractor and various partners across Sub-Saharan Africa to raise funds for mechanization projects for smallholder farmers. The presence of catalytic funding is a game-changer, enabling blended funds to de-risk initiatives and unlock access to capital for the greater good. But here in the U.S., this approach is still underutilized. A major barrier is #awareness — blended capital and concepts like first-loss layers aren’t widely referenced in finance education or traditional banking tracks. That’s where Blaze Group’s ‘Equitable Finance Corporate Training Program’ comes in. We’re helping U.S.-based financial intermediaries and fintechs embrace innovative, inclusive funding mechanisms that can reshape global access to capital. It’s time to adopt these proven strategies to create financial systems that work for everyone. Let’s shift perceptions, redirect financing, and prioritize impact over inertia. ???? Learn more about our mission and programs: blazegroupllc.com

For fintech companies committed to #financialinclusion, understanding the needs and behaviors of underserved communities is essential. Data-driven insights, particularly from well-designed surveys and focus groups, provide a powerful foundation for developing products that are both relevant and accessible. This approach enables fintechs to tailor solutions based on real-world challenges and preferences, fostering greater adoption and long-term customer satisfaction. Check out our blog for tips on effective survey + focus group design: https://lnkd.in/eEeNsfAS

In an age when global adoption of financial technology solutions is on the rise, having a clear mission and a supportive, inclusive culture isn’t just a "nice to have"—it’s a strategic necessity. For fintech companies striving to create products that genuinely serve underserved communities, a well-defined mission and values-driven culture form the foundation for sustainable impact. When companies align their mission with a commitment to inclusivity, they not only enhance financial access but also foster trust and loyalty with customers. Check out our blog for lessons from impact-driven fintechs (like Square and Chime) and learn practical steps that can be taken in your organization to foster a mission-driven culture. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eMdFCHwk

Where and how we choose to bank can make a profound impact. For generations, Black-owned banks have played a crucial role in providing financial services, economic empowerment, and support to underserved communities. These institutions were established with the mission of uplifting Black communities and giving people a trusted place to save, invest, and grow their wealth. Now more than ever, supporting Black-owned banks is an intentional choice that amplifies community strength, drives financial literacy, and fosters economic resilience. #BlackOwnedBanks to follow on LinkedIn and support: ?? Alamerica Bank - Member FDIC (Birmingham, AL) ?? Citizens Trust Bank?(Atlanta, GA) ?? Commonwealth National Bank?(Mobile, AL) ?? Carver State Bank?(Savannah, GA) ?? Carver Federal Savings Bank?(New York, NY) ?? Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company (Member FDIC)?(Nashville, TN) ?? First Independence Bank?(Detroit, MI) ?? First Security Bank and Trust?(Oklahoma City, OK) ?? GN Bank?(Chicago, IL) ?? Industrial Bank?(Washington, D.C.) ?? Liberty Bank & Trust Co (New Orleans, LA) ?? M&F Bank NC (Durham, NC) ?? OneUnited Bank?(Boston, MA) ?? Optus Bank?(Columbia, SC) ?? Tri-State Bank of Memphis?(Memphis, TN) ?? Unity National Bank?(Houston, TX) ?? United Bank of Philadelphia?(Philadelphia, PA) ?? The Harbor Bank of Maryland (Baltimore, MD) ?? Grand.bank?(Hattiesburg, MS) ?? City First Bank Los Angeles -Formerly Broadway Federal Bank?(Los Angeles, CA) ???? Read our blog for tips on how to start your banking relationship and learn the community-centered benefits of banking Black: https://lnkd.in/e_vpWuHC #banking #financialempowerment #blackowned #equity

In a recent financial literacy article for The Washington Informer, 2024 Financial Literacy Supplement: Navigating Financial -- Jacqueline McSears Boles, SVP and Director of Retail Banking, highlighted the importance of financial literacy in our schools. She noted that according to the Federal Reserve Board's 2022 Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households survey, 37% of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense, underscoring the need for financial education in schools. Additionally, she referenced a 2021 survey by CollegeFinance.com, which revealed that college students carry an average credit card debt of over $3,280. You can read the full piece on their site: https://lnkd.in/evPQKKA8 supplement?#IndustrialBank?#FinancialLiteracy?#FinancialHealth

The Power of Defining Core Beliefs in Finance ?? In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, defining core beliefs and principles is more critical than ever, especially for fintech companies seeking to drive meaningful change. Core beliefs serve as the foundational compass that guides every decision, shaping a company's mission, values, and approach to inclusive finance. https://lnkd.in/eDrWSrPR