Capital Formation

If the battle for civil rights of the 1960s was fought in the streets, parks, buses, and lunch counters of America, today the fight for opportunity may be found in the boardrooms and financial markets. 

When IPC Systems announced in April 2023 that it was partnering with the Dream Exchange, a timely and ambitious US initiative to launch the first minority-owned (and governed) registered stock exchange in the history of the United States, Mike Smith, Director of IPC Network Services said, “IPC is privileged and excited to be part of Dream Exchange’s vision and mission to increase participation in capital markets across all sectors of society.”

Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, and his wife Penny have recently invested $400 million in the Rebuild Albina project, a non-profit aimed at strengthening Portland’s Black community. This new fund has joined a growing number of “Black funds” that seek to address inequality and promote economic and social justice for Black communities[source]. 

Founder and CEO Joe Cecala was honored to participate alongside 100 Black business owners and entrepreneurs in the Black Business Policy Conference