Today I reconnected with a childhood friend, now a minority business owner navigating a system that wasn’t built for him.
His business model is solid: both a retail space and a service-based operation. But the complexity of access, trust, and capital makes every decision weightier. We talked deeply about the kind of growth he can take on, the partners he can trust, and the intentionality he must bring to the table just to survive.
His story isn’t just his—it’s the story of too many. I’m grateful for his courage. And I’m reminded why the work of equity in banking still matters.