When most people think about investing, they think about money. But what if it could be more than that? What if it could spark economic growth and build a better, more inclusive future?

These questions were at the heart of a compelling fireside chat with our Co-Founders, Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano, at the Inaugural PledgeLA Catalyst Awards 2024.

In a conversation with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Annenberg Foundation Executive Director Cinny Kennard, Kwanza and José shared how their values-based investing has expanded access to capital for underrepresented fund managers and founders. Their efforts have catalyzed economic opportunities, driving tangible change in historically excluded communities.

In recognition of their impact, they were honored with the Limited Partner Catalyst Award. But for them, the work extends beyond recognition. It’s about building sustainable ecosystems that empower communities and foster long-term equity, innovation, and generational wealth.

It’s Not Just Capital. It’s Values-Based Intention

For Kwanza and José, investment goes beyond financial transactions. It empowers people, fuels a larger vision, and reflects the values they stand for. What matters isn’t just where the money goes, but whether it advances their mission and drives lasting impact in communities.

True impact comes from ensuring businesses receive not only funding but also strategic support and long-term resources for sustainable growth. Many opportunities are found in communities that are often overlooked by traditional investors. These are promising ideas that come from founders full of vision, grit, and potential.

That’s why values-based investing isn’t just a feel-good concept. It’s a strategy that proves doing good and driving strong returns aren’t mutually exclusive. When investments align with purpose, they unlock new potential—for communities, for businesses, and for long-term growth.

Investing in People, Not Just Projections

Too often, founders with great ideas are left without the support they need to scale. It’s not just about funding, it’s about access—to mentorship, guidance, and real opportunity.

True economic growth doesn’t only happen in boardrooms or business hubs. It happens when we invest in people wherever they are, helping them build lasting businesses, generate jobs, and fuel local economies.

Strategic investing rooted in values strengthens companies and communities, helping both grow and sustain each other.

Values-Based Investing Creates Ripple Effects

Diversity isn’t a checkbox; it’s a catalyst for innovation. Many of today’s most promising companies are led by founders who’ve historically been excluded from traditional funding channels. They bring bold ideas, unique perspectives, and breakthrough potential—but too often, they’re overlooked.

Values-based investing treats overlooked talent as a source of opportunity and innovation. It shifts capital toward those who have historically been excluded. In doing so, it reveals excellence that traditional models often miss.

And when these founders succeed, they don’t rise alone. They build teams, uplift their communities, and reinvest in the ecosystems that helped them grow. That ripple effect is what makes values-based investing so powerful.

This kind of investing doesn’t stop at individual success; it sparks a cycle of collective growth. The impact extends beyond financial returns, fueling ecosystems where more founders, more ideas, and more communities have the chance to rise.

A Call to Investors: Shift the Lens

It’s time for a new kind of investing. One that puts values at the center and recognizes that impact and income can go hand in hand. It’s time to look beyond spreadsheets and see the real people, businesses, and communities we can help grow.

This isn’t just a shift—it’s a movement. It takes all of us: investors, businesses, and public leaders working together to build ecosystems that drive equity, opportunity, and lasting change.

Because at the end of the day, the most powerful investments are the ones that build both wealth and a better world.