115: The Power Of Pooling Together Money & Resources w/ Robert Lewis

Name: Robert Lewis

Business Name: Black Cooperative Investment Fund

Current Title: President/Board Chair

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Educational Background: Howard University, Washington, DC                                     

Master of Social Work, May 1996                                            

Concentration: Management and Administration

About Robert:

Robert Lewis is the President/Founding Board Chair of BCIF. Robert has more than 25 years of professional experience working in philanthropy and the nonprofit human and social services sector. He is a firm believer in the power of economic mobility to transform Black communities throughout the U.S. and beyond. Robert brings various perspectives to his work: investor, “no box” critical thinker, service provider, and concerned citizen. These qualities position him as a unique, compelling, and unapologetic voice for the Black community.

In the philanthropic sector, Robert has been responsible for grantmaking for companies such as L.A. Care Health Plan and the California Community Foundation (CCF). As part of L.A. Care’s Community Benefits Department team, Robert plays a key role in the company’s grantmaking efforts geared toward improving health care access for under-resourced populations and addressing social determinants of health. During his years working at CCF, Robert managed several grantmaking portfolios and was the architect and director of the BLOOM Initiative, a multi-year effort focused on re-directing Black male youth who have been involved with the L.A. County probation system toward improved employment and educational opportunities. Robert has directed multimillion-dollar human service programs where he oversaw strategic activities for a juvenile offender re-entry program and an L.A. Countywide training program for prospective resource (i.e., foster and adoptive) parents. Robert has served on several boards and formal committees including, but not limited to: Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, New Earth, Goodwill Southern California, the African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI), and KCET. He is also one of a select group of trainers for The Grantsmanship Center (TGC), based in Los Angeles, where he facilitates TGC’s hallmark five-day Grantsmanship Training Program. 

DURING THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why it is important to focus on funding opportunities for Black businesses
• How to secure ZERO interest loans 
• The benefits of pooling resources together
• The importance of Black individuals launching venture capital platforms to support Black Businesses
• The impact of Black-owned businesses on the overall economy

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• [FUND] Loan Application
• [FUND] Donate 

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