Building a Better Lending Future for BIPOC Businesses in Clark County
At Fourth Plain Forward, we believe every small business should have fair access to the resources they need to grow and thrive. That’s why we’re excited to announce our partnership with Trinh Strategic Insights LLC, a consulting team dedicated to uplifting and empowering communities that have long faced barriers in accessing traditional lending and financial support.
Trinh Strategic Insights LLC brings a wealth of experience in community development, economic development, and urban planning. Their team is passionate about supporting Black, Latino/a, and Tribal-owned businesses in Clark County. As many know, these communities often encounter systemic obstacles when it comes to securing loans and financial assistance. This new effort, known as the Black, Latino/a, and Tribal Led Lending Agency Support initiative, aims to break down those barriers and ensure business owners have the tools and capital they need to succeed.
Together, we are developing a plan for comprehensive community outreach. This involves reaching out directly to BIPOC and other minority-owned businesses, listening to their stories, and understanding their unique challenges. By doing so, we can shape the services and products offered by the new lending agency so that they truly reflect the needs of the people it’s meant to serve. Our approach involves surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews that will help us learn what’s working, what’s not, and what’s needed most.
The outreach will focus on four main areas:
Access to Capital: Identifying the financial hurdles that BIPOC business owners face.
Business Support Needs: Recognizing what technical support, mentorship, and networking opportunities are most needed.
Culturally Responsive Services: Ensuring lending solutions are respectful and in tune with the cultural values of the communities served.
Community Engagement: Hosting inclusive discussions so that all voices are heard and represented.
Starting in mid-December and running through January, the consulting team will host focus groups for Tribal members, farmers, Black-owned businesses, and Latino/a-owned businesses. These sessions will provide a safe space for honest conversations that will shape the future lending agency’s offerings.
For more information on how to register for these focus groups, please check the flyers included in our newsletter and social media posts. This is just the beginning of a long-term effort to build trust, foster economic growth, and help local businesses become more resilient and sustainable—today and for generations to come.