From Luz Urrutia, CEO, Accion Opportunity Fund

This week, I watched with horror the assault on our Democracy that sought to disrupt our nation’s peaceful transition of power. I was reminded of the numerous coups and the weak hold my home nation of Venezuela has on its own democratic ambitions. I never thought that I would live to see insurrection and violence against the American democracy — it is painful. But I am not one bit surprised. In fact, this is exactly what he promised us. And I expect that he and his supporters are not done attacking our democracy and spreading white supremacy, either.

At 18 years old, I emigrated from Caracas, Venezuela, to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend college. I was hoping to return once I graduated. But watching what transpired when Chavez was elected — his tyranny that bred violence, destitution, and mistrust among neighbors — I chose to make this great country my home. I’ve dedicated my career to improving financial access in underserved communities, supported the nation’s entrepreneurs, and advocated for stronger federal support, protections, and investments.

It’s not perfect, but I love this country. And to see it torn apart so wantonly, so willfully, it breaks my heart. But as our hearts are breaking, our will is building.

I am alarmed at the injuries our democracy has endured these past four years. Make no mistake: the biggest threat on display this Wednesday wasn’t just a small group of extremists threatening our Democracy, it is the growing divisiveness— unmasked, emboldened, walking the halls of our nation’s Capitol.

The actions of a few extremists to rise and disrupt the will of the people will not change my faith and trust in our Democracy. I feel stronger than ever that the way to defend our values and rise above this deplorable behavior is by continuing to help those who need us the most. At Accion Opportunity Fund, that means we keep focused to support the 30 million small businesses in America that have suffered so much from the pandemic in the past 10 months and are fighting as hard as they can in order to provide for their families and keep their employees.

America is beautiful, she is complicated, but she is stronger than any one man, stronger than any one mob. And we get stronger with each challenge, and we overcome.

At Accion Opportunity Fund, our mission⁠—to drive economic mobility⁠—is part of the fight against systemic inequities, including racism. Today, we need to do that work with greater speed, unyielding commitment, and increasing courage.

To the seditious leaders, and the everyday racists among us, I say: Not today, not on my watch. And to the children of color watching, know I’m here, as are so many others just like me.

We are strong and getting stronger, and we are changing America one day at a time, for the better, despite the injuries she endures.

Luz Urrutia, CEO of Accion Opportunity Fund, testified to the House Small Business Committee today about the urgent need for transparency in small business lending. She spoke in support of the historic Small Business Lending Disclosure and Broker Regulation Act of 2020 that Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez introduced in late July – the first-ever federal truth-in-lending act for small businesses. If passed, the Act will protect small business owners from irresponsible lending practices. 

The bill would protect small business owners from irresponsible and predatory lending practices. The legislation would bring a projected $3.8 billion in savings for nearly 800,000 small businesses annually, including hundreds of millions in savings for over 158,000 small businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color.

Watch Luz Urrutia’s testimony here:

Read more about our work to advance lending transparency for small businesses here.

The brutality behind the killing of George Floyd is not limited to just Minneapolis. What happened to Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and to Christian Cooper in Central Park—these tragedies are all evidence of systemic, recurrent, persistent racial injustice. We are angry, we are outraged, and we are grieving. And while our hearts are breaking, our will is building.

To all of our colleagues and clients who are people of color, and especially our Black colleagues and clients: We stand with you. To the communities in which Black business owners live and work: We grieve with you. To those, all around the globe, who are protesting peacefully, demanding justice and an end to violence: We rise up with you.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. Our mission⁠—to drive economic mobility⁠—is part of the fight against systemic inequities, including racism. Today, we must do that work with greater speed, unyielding commitment, and increasing courage. We can and will accelerate our programs to serve more Black-owned businesses to recover, rebuild, and regenerate. We commit our voices, our teams, and our platform to the fight for racial and social justice.

We will not be silent in the face of injustice. We will not be complicit with racism in America.

Our team has compiled the below resources for engaging in anti-racist work.

In solidarity,

Luz Urrutia, Chief Executive Officer and S. Jamila Buckner, Chief People Officer

Anti-racism Resources

Donate:

• Donate to George Floyd’s family. There are several ongoing fundraisers for George Floyd’s family. George’s brother Philonise Floyd organized a fund to fund the funeral.

Take action:

• Sign the petition at JusticeForBigFloyd.com Signing the petition will email Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Michael Freeman demanding that all four officers be arrested and charged for murder, on your behalf. It’s a super petition that emails all offices and individuals involved in the fight for justice.
• Text ‘FLOYD’ to 55156 to sign Color of Change’s petition. This will link you to Color of Change’s petition, which will send a letter to Mayor Jacob Frey and District Attorney Michael Freeman demanding the arrest of and murder charge for all four officers.
• Text ‘JUSTICE’ to 668366 to sign MoveOn’s petition. This petition demands that all four cops involved in Floyd’s death should be charged with murder and held fully accountable. All you have to do is respond with your US zip code.
• Visit JustCities, LiveFree, and PICO California for local action initiatives.

Connect with community-based organizations working to dismantle racism and violence:

• BlackVisionsCollective
• Campaign Zero
• Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
• NAACP
• North Star Health Collective

Support Black-owned small businesses with your dollars:

• Here are some #OpportunityFunded Black-owned businesses:
  • Braid It Up – San Jose
  • Cupcakin’ – Berkeley
  • Doc’s Q’in Pit Stop – Modesto
  • Mosaic Global Transportation – Redwood City and San Jose
  • Red Door Catering – Oakland
  • Southern Girl Desserts – Los Angeles
• Bay Area Black-owned food businesses
• Los Angeles Black-owned restaurants
• Fresno Black-owned businesses
• Find more on WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, or Official Black Wall Street.

Make your voice heard:

• Complete your 2020 Census Form at 2020Census.gov
• Check your voter registration status at Vote.org

The graphic is a non-comprehensive list of deaths at the hands of police in the U.S. since Eric Garner’s death in July, 2014. Data source: NPR, design by Beneficial State Bank.