Invest: “expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial plans, shares, or property.”
What does it mean to invest in the Black community?
Investing is more than just throwing money at something and walking away. That’s a short-term bandaid that only fixes the issue in the moment.
A true investment, as described in the definition above, is thoughtful, well-planned out, and strategic so that all parties reap the benefits. It’s done with the expectation and hope that there will be some sort of profit received in return. It is intentional. It is purposeful. It’s not about charity. It’s about recognizing the discrepancies and inequalities that exist between Black and non-Black communities and making the conscious decision to be part of the solution instead of sticking your head in the sand.
But investing doesn’t always come in monetary form. Investing can mean time, resources, and actions. This is what is needed in order for Black communities to be able to build long-term prosperity that can produce results.
Here are four simple things you can start today to make a lasting change.
Peer-to-peer lending. This has become an increasingly popular form of financing in recent years. It cuts out the middleman (aka banking institutions) and allows individual investors to lend money to people directly. Statistically, it’s more difficult for Black men and women to access bank funding. By participating in peer-to-peer lending, you now assist Black entrepreneurs as you get to decide who to lend to. | 
