[Austin, TX, August 31, 2023] – JUST Community is thrilled to announce its selection by the Biden-Harris administration as an awardee of the prestigious Minority Business Development Agency's (MBDA) Capital Readiness Program. The highly competitive program attracted over 1,000 organizations from across the nation, with JUST Community standing out for its exceptional commitment to empowering Hispanic and Black women entrepreneurs in Texas.
JUST Community is a nonprofit certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and financial platform dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by providing capital, peer coaching, and community support.
The MBDA Capital Readiness Program, announced by Vice President Kamala Harris, aims to uplift minority-owned businesses by equipping them with the tools and resources needed to access capital and scale their ventures. JUST Community's winning project proposal, focuses on a comprehensive 4-year initiative that will be offered in both Spanish and English. The program's reach will extend to major cities in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
"JUST is deeply honored to be chosen as an awardee of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program," said Steve Wanta, Founder and CEO of JUST Community. "This opportunity aligns with our mission to invest in ambitious Hispanic and Black female entrepreneurs excluded from economic opportunity. Because of this award, we will support more entrepreneurs to become capital-ready, opening doors to financial success and most importantly, the achievement of their dreams."
At JUST Community, the vision transcends mere financial empowerment. "
"We can close the racial wealth gap with money, but we forget that money is not the solve," stressed Rashidah Alshams, Community Growth and Partnerships Director. "An equitable path to achieve her dreams is. Generational wealth is vital because it paves the way for her dreams and gives her agency to shape her future."
JUST Community's steadfast commitment to its vision has been the driving force behind its evolution. "Her dream has guided our growth. It is our north star," Steve Wanta concluded. As an awardee of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program, JUST Community is poised to make an even greater impact on the lives of minority women entrepreneurs, fostering an environment where dreams flourish, businesses thrive, and communities prosper.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Name: Ashley Phillips, JUST Community
Email: ashley@hellojust.com
Phone: 626-315-1896
About JUST Community
JUST Community is a nonprofit-certified CDFI and financial platform dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by investing in ambitious Texas women through capital, peer coaching, and community. JUST's GROW (Guidance, Resources, and Opportunities for Women) program empowers women entrepreneurs to become capital-ready, creating pathways to financial success and fulfillment.
LinkedIn/Instagram/Facebook: @communityofjust
Website: www.hellojust.com
About MDBA Capital Readiness Program
MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program (CRP) is funded by the Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and was reauthorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. CRP is a $125 million technical assistance program to help minority and other underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.
