Unlock the Potential of Regenerative Finance
Betty Francisco's Approach: Place-based Investing and Integrated Capital
Betty Francisco, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, emphasizes three key aspects. Place-based investing focuses on specific locations, leveraging integrated capital by using every tool in the toolbox. From grants to debt and equity, she's creative in finding finance that's friendly to entrepreneurs. Conventional finance has left many without access to capital, so they challenge this cycle. They don't rely on credit scores or personal guarantees but use trust-based investing approaches. By layering in racial equity and economic justice, they drive forward regenerative outcomes. For example, in their investment with RSF in Roundhead Brewing, a Latino-owned brewery in Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood, they worked to create a new compensation structure. A 20% administrative fee on guest checks enables Roundhead to pay living wages and bridge the gap between front- and back-of-house staff. This has led to a stronger employee base and the ability to buy the building, securing its future as a gathering place for diverse communities.
This shows the power of integrated capital and place-based investing in achieving regenerative results. It's not just about financial returns but about creating positive social and environmental change.
Mark Lewis' Path: Regenerative Agriculture through Venture Capital
Mark Lewis, managing partner at Trailhead Capital, takes a different approach. As a venture capital firm, they invest $1 million to $2 million in companies and get 5% to 10% ownership stakes. Their theme is entirely regenerative agriculture. They use a conventional finance strategy to achieve beneficial outcomes around climate, biodiversity, water, human health, and rural livelihoods. For instance, Local Line works with Chipotle to source tomatoes closer to their stores, saving over 800 million food miles in 2023. Mark believes scale is impact and impact is scale. He describes himself as a climate activist pretending to be a venture capitalist, as he thinks market-based scalable solutions are needed to solve global problems.
By underwriting both financial capabilities and regenerative impact cases, they aim to make a significant difference in various aspects of life.
RSF's Model: Social Investment Fund and Specialized Funders
RSF's main vehicle is the Social Investment Fund, which supports loans to social enterprises across the U.S. and Canada. Investors receive a regenerative return - a lower-than-market financial return combined with a higher-than-market social and environmental return. Goodr is a great example, reducing food waste and feeding food-insecure people. They work with large-scale businesses to divert surplus food and implement holistic waste management programs. RSF also supports specialized funders like Mad Capital and Sunwealth to increase regenerative returns. Betty Francisco also mentions adjusting expectations around risk and return. As an impact-first fund, they accept lower returns and cap their return on equity.
This shows how RSF integrates social and environmental innovation and supports various initiatives to drive change.
Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities
Mark Lewis learned that building bridges to the existing paradigm is more effective. Working with those with power and influence is crucial for making impact at scale. Betty Francisco realized the difficulty of shifting thinking about risk and return and the need to change power dynamics in investments. Jasper van Brakel emphasized the importance of cultivating the conditions for communities to meet the future. The biggest unrealized opportunity is distributing concentrated wealth more equitably and financing alternatives to capitalism. Foundations should give away more money and align their investments with charitable purposes. There are different paths to shared goals, and systems change happens at the edges. As more disruptors emerge, new models may become mainstream.
Regenerative finance is a journey of continuous innovation and transformation, with much potential yet to be realized.
Student-driven Community Service
WAFF 48 News had the opportunity to speak with a dedicated Career Tech Center teacher, Kala Jo Grice-Dobbins. She emphasized that helping the community is at the core of their values, and children hold a special place in their hearts. When it came to choosing a community service project, this crayon drive was what the students brought to the table. They voted and decided to go with it because of their deep love for the project. Remarkably, 100 percent of her students actively participated and contributed their crayons. Grice-Dobbins also shared that the crayon donations came from not only the students but also from generous community members and five local Walmarts.Organizational Details
The Cyber Security Skills USA Team at the Madison County Career Technical Center played a crucial role in coordinating this massive crayon drive. Their efforts demonstrate the power of teamwork and the willingness of young students to make a difference. The partnership with “The Crayon Initiative” added an extra layer of significance to the project, ensuring that the crayons would reach those in need. This drive is not just about collecting crayons; it's about creating a ripple effect of kindness and support within the community.Impact on Hospitalized Children
The more than 1,500 pounds of crayons will have a profound impact on children in hospitals. These colorful tools will provide a source of entertainment and comfort during their stay. It allows them to express their creativity and imagination, which is especially important in a hospital setting. The act of giving crayons is a small gesture that can bring a big smile to a child's face and make their hospital experience a little more bearable. This drive is a testament to the power of community collaboration in making a positive impact on the lives of others.Spreading Kindness Beyond Madison County
This crayon drive in Madison County is not just a local event; it has the potential to inspire similar initiatives in other communities. The success of this project shows that with a little effort and a lot of heart, significant change can be achieved. It serves as a model for other schools and organizations to follow, demonstrating the importance of community service and giving back. By gathering nearly 2 million crayons, Madison County students have set an example that will be remembered for years to come."Texas College Student's Traumatic Run-In with Law Enforcement"
Initial Encounter and Harassment
As 19-year-old Braylen Kizzee was on his way back to school, an unexpected situation unfolded. "I was just driving back to school and somebody just stopped in front of me and I just tried to swerve around them like any natural person would do that. And while I was trying to switch lanes another unmarked car just hit me from the side," he described. They hit him twice and ran him off the road.
When the college football player was pulled over, the traumatic experience continued. "They rolled down their windows and told me to put my hands up or they were going to blow my head off," he said. He was made to crawl over to the passenger side and then out of the car on his hands and knees about 30 feet away. Their guns were drawn out, and none of them had identified themselves.
Realization and Confusion
After the ordeal, it was a shock to Braylen when officials finally pulled his beanie hat off and realized he wasn't the man they wanted in connection with a string of ATM robberies out of Kentucky. "We look nothing alike. I mean I seen the picture of him. He has tattoos all over his neck. He’s 6′1, I’m about 5,9. I don’t have any tattoos as you can see, so I don’t know how they could’ve gotten us mixed up," he expressed his confusion.
Braylen's father, Byron Kizzee, who works in local law enforcement, is also confused as they had been staking Braylen out. "If you was watching him with binoculars like you say, then it’s obvious you seen it’s not your suspect," Byron said.
Aftermath and Trauma
Braylen was left with scrapes and bruises on his knees. His mother, who asked not to be identified, said, "The only thing that the US Marshals, the person that they were looking for and my son have in common, is that they were Black." After the six or so investigators' ordeal, they apologized and some followed him home to explain what happened. They also offered to pay for the damage to his vehicle.
"No amount of sorrys, apologies, could ever fix this, ever fix this. So fixing the car, repairing the car is the least of my worries. It’s about the life-long trauma," she added. Trauma that they are all now trying to heal from. "Law enforcement did not do their job. We all need therapy because of this. Any wrong move, this could’ve ended in such a bad way. But I thank God that we teach him to do the right thing," she further emphasized.
Braylen says he can't sleep at night and is fearing the three-hour drive back to school on Tuesday. The US Marshals Office says they are not commenting on the situation at this time but are still actively looking for the right fugitive in this area. Meanwhile, Braylen and his family want the officers involved to be held accountable.