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AmbitioUS....The Soul of Capital: Models for a Just Economy

AmbitioUS....The Soul of Capital: Models for a Just Economy

by Nyia Hawkins

Business Self-Improvement

Season 2

Rudy Fraser (Part 2): Why Social Media Moderation is Care Work

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Black Sky Algorithms Founder Rudy Fraser. In this episode we discuss building digital infrastructure that serves and is governed by community. Rudy gives his tak on why social media moderation is care work, why wants ussers to get mad and post about it, and how social media can help normalize the practice of mutual aid. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

Rudy Fraser (Part 1): Buildiing Black Digital Infrastructure on Community Terms

This is Part 1 of our 2-part conversation with Blacksky Algorithms Founder Rudy Fraser. Blacksky Algorithms is building social media infrastructure for and by black users. In this conversation we dig into decentralized platforms, democratic governance, and a community-oriented future for the web. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

Rental Rescue: Keeping Missing-Middle Housing in Community Hands

In this episode, we meet Krystal Valencia, founder and CEO of Rental Rescue, breaks down how they preserve affordable rentals by buying, repairing, and keeping buildings in community hands. We talk about missing middle' housing, tenant-centered stewardship, and what capital should be accountable to. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

Ted Levinson on the Hidden Cost of Impact Investing in Market Rate Returns

In this episode, originally recorded April 29, 2024, Beneficial Returns Founder and CEO Ted Levinson gives his take on what successful investments look like when the goal is impact. He and his team steward an impact-investing debt fund that makes loans to social enterprises reducing poverty in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Ted talks about his hope that philanthropy will take more risks and why the drive for market-rate returns is failing impact. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

Erika Lucas on Reshaping Capital Flows for Women and the Care Economy

In the guest chair we’re talking with Erika Lucas — CEO of Stitch Crew, a workforce and entrepreneur development organization for women, as well and the general partner of Vest Her Ventures, an early stage investment fund for women. Based in Oklahoma, she is helping to reshape capital flows in America’s heartland. Find out how this former economic developer turned impact investor is reimagining how capital reaches women, the care economy, and historically excluded founders outside the usual coastal hubs. Check it out. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

The Overlooked Economy: ICA Fund's Blueprint for Scaling Underestimated Businesses

What does it take to truly scale underestimated businesses? In this episode, Allison Kelly, CEO of ICA Fund, shares how the Oakland-based fund is building an ecosystem where overlooked entrepreneurs don’t just survive—they scale. In this episode, we explore ICA’s unique approach to centering non-extractive financing, relationships, and long-term impact. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Links mentioned in this episode: -- ICA Fund -- ICA Fund Accelerator -- CDFI Locator This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: The Soul of Capital: Models for a Just Economy

Catalyzing Rural Resilience: Inside Invest Appalachia’s $35M Fund for Community Wealth

In the guest chair this week is Andrew Crosson, CEO of Invest Appalachia, a community-first impact investment platform created by and for the people of Central Appalachia. Andrew is leading a team stewarding a $35 million fund to unlock opportunities for locally rooted entrepreneurs and community-led initiatives across the region. In this episode, we dig into why traditional investment tools often fail rural areas—and how Invest Appalachia is using catalytic capital to reduce barriers and de-risk projects for historically overlooked communities. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Links mentioned in this episode: -- Invest Appalachia -- Center for Community Investment This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: The Soul of Capital: Models for a Just Economy

Land Without Lords: How an Oakland Real Estate Cooperative is Drafting New Blueprints for Shared Ownership

This week in the guest chair, we have Noni Session, Executive Director of the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EB PREC), a community-driven investment vehicle transforming how land and housing are owned. Based in Oakland, EB PREC is pioneering a model of permanent real estate stewardship rooted in cooperative economics, democratic governance, and cultural organizing. Under Noni’s leadership, the collective has raised over $15 million to remove properties from the speculative market and return them to community control—empowering longtime residents to buy back the block and co-create a future beyond displacement. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Links mentioned in this episode: East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EB PREC) Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) AB-816 Cooperative corporations: worker cooperatives This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe: https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

Season 1

Rematriating the Economy: Vanessa Roanhorse on Reimagining Capital through Indigenous Values

This week in the guest chair we have New Mexico-based entrepreneur Vanessa Roanhorse. She is the CEO and owner of Indigenous-led think tank, Roanhorse Consulting. Roanhorse Consulting created a character-based lending program that has moved $4 million to more than 300 entrepreneurs, launched an Apprenticeship on-ramp for Indigenous women to become capital stewards in the investment world, and co-founded Native Women Lead, the largest organization in the U.S. serving Indigenous women entrepreneurs. Vanessa Roanhorse is helping to rematriate the economy, reimagining capitla through indigenous values. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Links Mentioned in this episode: Roanhorse Consulting Rematriating Economies Apprenticeship (REA) Living Cities Nusenda Credit Union Delta Institute IDEO RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Corporation) Native Women Lead People First Finance SOCAP This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

How the Industrial Commons is Rebuilding the Rural Working Class Through Community Wealth

This week in the guest chair, we have North Carolina-based entrepreneur Sara Chester. She is the Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, along with Molly Hemstreet, of The Industrial Commons. They lead a cooperative incubator in rural North Carolina that is helping to rebuild a working class based on locally-rooted wealth. In a region that lost 85% of its textile jobs since 1990, they are leading an economic revitalization effort that empowers workers through ownership, democratic decision-making, and profit-sharing. Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Links Mentioned in this episode: https://www.theindustrialcommons.org/ North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine National Science Foundation: Regional Innovation Engines Program Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies This episode was produced in partnership with the AmbitioUS initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation. AmbitioUS encourages the creation of an economy that works for everyone, where philanthropy is led from the frontline, and impact-first investing is the norm. To learn more about the incredible work AmbitioUS funds, please visit https://ambitio-us.org/. Click here to subscribe https://media.rss.com/thesoulofcapital/feed.xml

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