Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Social Justice Investment Strategy guided by an advisory board of dedicated experts in finance, social justice, policy and community impact.
At Brighter, we believe that financial capital is a powerful tool for driving meaningful change. For people and organizations who want to make a positive difference in the world, their financial choices can reinforce and align with their values, their worldview, and their financial goals.
DEDICATED IMPACT STRATEGY
Brighter’s Social Justice Investment Strategy provides a deep, dedicated platform for investors who want to prioritize social justice in their portfolios and bank accounts. It’s built on our existing framework for customized, values-based financial planning and investing. There are three components:
- INTENTIONAL BANKING SOLUTIONS: Helping clients funnel capital into their communities through banking solutions with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and mission-driven banks.
- PUBLIC MARKET INVESTMENTS: Shaping publicly-traded stock & bond portfolios to reduce harm and support social justice via a variety of investment tools including issue-focused funds/ETFs, customizable separately managed accounts (SMAs), and direct indexing.
- PRIVATE MARKET INVESTMENTS: Creating direct impact opportunities via private funds that provide capital to companies led by underrepresented founders, businesses that drive financial stability in marginalized communities, and solutions that directly address economic disparities. The goal is to move beyond excluding harmful industries to proactively fund solutions that create sustainable weath and financial empowerment.
“Brighter’s Social Justice strategy offers a unique opportunity for investors who want to align competitive financial growth with the social justice issues that matter to them, from economic equity, mobility and more,” said Kelsey Russell, who is spearheading the strategy as Brighter’s COO. “What makes it special is its deep commitment to representation and impact rigor, driving the authenticity and effectiveness of the investments.”
SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVISORY BOARD
We’re excited to welcome Aletha Green Burgess, Sean White, Kim Addie and Chinesom Ejiasa to our new dedicated Social Justice Advisory Board. This team provides strategic guidance and impact validation to ensure that
- The investing solutions align with community needs,
- The strategy is responsive to emerging issues and solutions in social justice,
- Brighter is connected to impactful organizations and investment opportunities.
Aletha Green Burgess brings over two decades of experience driving innovation in the financial services sector with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams, executing large-scale transformation initiatives, and delivering operational excellence.
Sean White is an impact investment leader who passionately believes in the power of mission-oriented capital to transform lives and communities. He currently leads the capital strategy and execution for a significant fundraising effort for one of Detroit’s most ambitious placemaking and economic development projects in the last half century.
Kim Addie is a dynamic and results-driven leader, currently serving as the Vice President of Strategy and Impact for Kindred Futures, an organization dedicated to activating shared prosperity for Black communities through impactful solutions, movement building, and catalytic capital.
Chinesom Ejiasa is currently the CFO of Global Greengrants Fund, a $60+ million global organization focused on environmental justice. Previously, he was a member of the ETS Strategic Capital Team, the corporate venture capital arm of Educational Testing Services.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
If you’d like to learn more about this strategy, we invite you to book an introductory call with Brighter’s Kelsey Russell or email her at kelsey@brighter-investing.com.
