Reflecting on a Year of Impact and Innovation in 2024
Reflecting on this year so far, we’re grateful for the progress we’ve made at RUNWAY in reshaping the landscape of finance, bringing us closer to the vision of a liberated future. The future demands creative energy and a commitment to imagine a world far beyond the limitations we face today.
Throughout 2024, RUNWAY has embraced that vision, pushing boundaries and creating space for Black entrepreneurs to thrive in ways that align with a reparative future. From the birth of innovative educational offerings to launching transformative funds, our wins are a demonstration of our belief in what is possible.
Let’s take a moment to dive into what we’ve accomplished together:
Fertile Ground: Cultivating Knowledge for Entrepreneurs
This year, we launched Fertile Ground, a virtual learning series that’s been truly enriching for our RUNWAY entrepreneurs. Each month, we offer practical, specialized trainings—think AI for your business, trademarking strategies, and financial planning—designed to empower our community. Fertile Ground serves as a nurturing space where Black entrepreneurs can cultivate their businesses. By providing tailored resources and support, we’re helping these entrepreneurs build the foundation for sustainable success that will ripple out to strengthen their communities for generations to come.
Establishing ROOTS in Chicago
Earlier this spring, we launched the ROOTED Fund in Chicago, a city where Black and Brown entrepreneurs have been the lifeblood of economic resilience since the days of the Great Migration. From Bronzeville to modern-day creators and visionaries, the entrepreneurial spirit in Chicago has always been exceptional. Through community-led, non-extractive lending, we are fostering Black entrepreneurial legacies. Huge shoutout to our Chicago Fund Manager, Keena Pierre, who spoke about this vision on WGN Daytime Chicago!
Want to learn more? Check out our $10M integrated capital investment fund at rootedfund.family.
Strengthening Leadership for Reparative Capital
This year, we welcomed new voices to our RPF Credit Committee and Board of Directors. These seats are opportunities for collective governance and shared decision-making for leaders committed to RUNWAY’s mission of reparative capital. The committee members are redefining what it means to be capital-ready, prioritizing the whole entrepreneur, not just the numbers. Together, we’re building generational wealth in Black communities, one thoughtful decision at a time.
Racking Up Awards
We’re taking a moment to flex here! This year, RUNWAY won various awards that celebrate impact, innovation, and outstanding design:
🏆 Anthem Awards – We snagged not one but TWO Anthem Awards in two separate categories! The RUNWAY ROOTED Fund was honored in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Innovation category, recognizing its groundbreaking work in providing reparative capital to Black communities in the U.S. South. Additionally, RUNWAY CEO Jessica Norwood's powerful book, Believe-In-You Money: What if the Economy Loved Black People?, won in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Book, Story, Feature category for its deep dive into economic justice and empowerment.
🏆 GDUSA’s Digital Design Awards – This year, Graphic Design USA saw nearly 3,000 entries for their Digital Design Awards, a record turnout for this annual competition that honors web design, social, email, motion, and all things online. Our stunning second issue, GROUNDED for RUNWAY Magazine came away as a winner!
🖨️💯 Canadian Printing Awards – The Canadian Printing Awards program celebrates world-class printing, environmental leadership, and individual industry achievement. RUNWAY Magazine – ISSUE 002 GROUNDED received an honorable mention in the Finishing – Diecut (Printing) category for its outstanding design and vision!
The RUNWAY ROOTED Fund is part of a larger movement to transform finance for people and the planet. We were elated to be named among this year’s list of The Transformative 25 (T25), published by Collective Action for Just Finance, which represents a collective of funds, intermediaries, investors, and individuals that are shifting power and mobilizing capital for financial justice.
Launching RUNWAY Magazine – ISSUE 02: Grounded
Speaking of all the incredible awards RUNWAY Magazine earned this year, we were ecstatic to share our latest issue of RUNWAY Magazine, Grounded, in February. The magazine serves as a dynamic platform, spotlighting the voices and victories of Black entrepreneurs along with stories of our organization’s impact and our ongoing journey to close the racial wealth gap. It is a love letter to our community and a showcase of our innovative spirit and creativity.
Jessica Norwood: Leading the Charge
RUNWAY’s founder and visionary, Jessica Norwood, continues to be a force. In August, she was featured in Essence Magazine, sharing insights from her groundbreaking book, Believe-In-You Money. As a trailblazer for reparative financial practices, Jessica’s impact is undeniable.
Oh, and stay tuned—Jessica’s NPR interview is dropping soon on the In Black America podcast with John Hanson!
A Year of Milestones
This October, we celebrated the first anniversary of Believe-In-You Money making waves out in the world! In May, Jessica partnered with the Black Innovation Alliance for their annual Sustainability Summit in Miami. Jessica helped the organization award $10,000 to five Black entrepreneurs in a high-energy sweepstakes as part of their BIA Believes in Me: Local Giveaway program.
And because RUNWAY is all about building community, we launched Love, RUNWAY, an ongoing series of original written works by members of the RUNWAY team to remind ourselves and each other of the love we share for our work, our communities, and our people. To continue developing the muscle of reimagining what the world would look like if the economy loved Black peopl, we write love letters to different points in humanity's timeline. We hope these stories will help others connect with our purpose and showcase the richly textured humans behind our work.
Looking Ahead
At each turn, we’ve leaned into the power of imagination, strategy, and community-driven action. We've redefined how capital is distributed, rooted in reparative justice and grounded in real-world impact. And with every new initiative, we’ve planted seeds—seeds that are blooming into something much bigger…
