Inclusive lending can’t be built in a room with only one type of expertise.
I’m Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and EquiRate AI (formerly Bank Black). I’m inviting leaders from across sectors to join our EquiRate AI Advisory Board.
Why we’re building an Advisory Board
EquiRate AI is focused on modernizing how access to capital works—especially for communities that have historically been underserved or evaluated through outdated lending assumptions.
But here’s what experience taught me (including as a former business owner who learned the hard way):You can’t limit the people in the room when you’re building something that has to work in the real world.
Inclusive lending isn’t only about underwriting.It’s also about:
* Communication and trust
* Community access and engagement
* Consumer understanding and adoption
* Regulatory alignment and compliance
* Practical pathways for borrowers to navigate the system
Why diverse backgrounds matter
As we build, we’re already seeing how valuable cross-sector voices are. For example, we have commitment from an elected State Board of Education member—someone who brings community insight and education experience. That matters because education and communication will be essential to help diverse applicants understand:
* what inclusive lending means
* how it works
* how to access it
* why it’s different from what they’ve experienced before
We need advisors who can help build bridges:
* Between lenders and communities
* Between regulators and innovators
* Between a model and the people it’s designed to serve
Who we’re looking for
We welcome individuals with experience in:
* Banking, lending, credit, underwriting, CDFIs, credit unions
* Compliance, risk, legal, governance
* State/local regulation and public policy
* Education and workforce development
* Labor and employer networks
* Community leadership and consumer engagement
* Communications and community-based outreach infrastructure
How to get involved
If you’re interested in joining our Advisory Board—or you know someone who should be in the room—reach out:
📩 eric@cannascapital.com🌐 www.cannascapitalholdings.com
If this resonates, please like, subscribe, and share this video with someone who believes access to capital should reflect real potential—not outdated templates.
Common Sense by Eric Foster is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Thanks for reading Common Sense by Eric Foster! This post is public so feel free to share it.
