May 29, 2025 • 19 mins
Transforming Black economic prosperity is happening right in South Florida, and most residents don't even know it exists. Deputy Director Chandra Daniels reveals how the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust has quietly distributed over half a million dollars in grants to Black-owned businesses throughout the county, from restaurants to healthcare providers to artists, with some receiving up to $20,000 to scale their operations.
What truly sets this county agency apart is their revolutionary approach to homeownership. As Daniels explains, "Home ownership is the cornerstone of wealth in this country." Their Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $28,000 as a completely forgivable loan - meaning if you stay in your home for 20 years as your primary residence, you never pay back a cent. In a market where housing prices have tripled in just four years, this program is creating pathways to property ownership previously unattainable for many Black families.
Perhaps most remarkable is their Rehabilitation Assistance Program, offering up to $50,000 in forgivable loans for critical home repairs. The program prioritizes health and safety issues like roof repairs, electrical, and plumbing problems, particularly benefiting senior homeowners who might otherwise be forced to sell. "We had some clients who we had to build a ramp because now they're at an age where they can't walk up those stairs," Daniels shares, highlighting how these investments allow residents to age in place with dignity while preserving community wealth. With both programs centered on long-term community stabilization and generational wealth building, MDEAT represents a model other cities should emulate. Learn more by visiting MiamiDade.gov/MDEAT or following @MDETinfo on Instagram.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We've given over half a million dollars in grants to
black businesses throughoutMiami-Dade County, and it's a
variety of businesses.
It could be a restaurant, itcould be a chiropractor office,
some artists.
Whatever your business is, youapply, you go through a process,
(00:20):
a vetting process, and you maybe granted.
We want to make sure thatpeople know we exist.
We're here and we're here toserve you.
Where we're specifically herefor the black community.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
And for the empowerment and the prosperity
of the community.
Welcome, welcome, welcome, yeahyo.
(00:54):
What up d hustle, what's goingon?
Guess where we?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
still at player.
Uh, south beach, south beach,no, no, no.
Oh man, we're a little far fromvalvulge.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
All right, yeah, yeah , but we're in south florida
south florida.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
we are at the black wealthalth Summit and I got a
special guest here who we got.
First of all, a big shout-outto FMU, the only black,
historical black college inSouth Florida.
Big shout-out to FMU forhosting us here and big
shout-out to Source and all thesponsors here.
Let's get a round of applausefor Chandra coming to the stage.
So give us a quick introduction, tell us your name and tell us
(01:21):
a little bit about you.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So thank you, gentlemen, for having me.
My name is chandra daniels.
I'm the deputy director atmiami-dade economic advocacy
trust.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Many people know us as indeed.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
However, you know, we like to make sure everybody
knows exactly who we are yeah,the miami-dade economic advocacy
trust yeah, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Now I just seen her on stage and when she came on
stage I was in you know the cutand I was like you, like you did
an amazing job.
And she's like did I?
I was so nervous.
Now you wasn't nervous were youA little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Oh, just a little, just a little.
But when I'm up there it's likecome on.
Yeah, exactly Right.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So tell us a little bit about the topic that you
covered and definitely yourcontributions to this event that
we're having this Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, we're one of the sponsors for Black Wealth
Summit.
Our entire mission is buildingprosperity, economic prosperity
in the black community, Makingsure that our black residents
are actively participating, thatthey're fully participating in
their own prosperity and in thatof Dade County.
(02:19):
So we have the four pillarsthat I spoke about earlier, that
we basically stand on my boss,Bill Diggs, who couldn't be here
today.
Okay, so we have the fourpillars that I spoke about
earlier, that we basically standon my boss, Bill Diggs, who
couldn't be here today.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
However, Big shout out to him, big shout out to
Bill.
I love.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Bill, he called it a four-legged stool.
But those pillars that we standon for black economic
empowerment, our economicdevelopment department, they
give.
We've given over half a milliondollars in grants to black
businesses throughout Miami-DadeCounty.
That's fantastic, and it's avariety of businesses.
(02:54):
You know.
It could be a restaurant, itcan be, I think it was a
chiropractor office, someartists, just whatever your
business is, yeah, you know, youapply, you go through a process
, a vetting process, and you maybe granted up to sometimes, I
think one year we did like$15,000, $20,000.
(03:15):
What we do have coming up onMarch 6th is our pitch
competition.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Oh, I love pitch competitions.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yes, yeah, and so that's on march 6th at the
beacon council, from 3 pm to 6pm, um, where we are granting,
whoever those winners are youknow, bless them, bless them,
bless them.
You know um the top award isfifteen thousand dollars, ten
thousand and five thousandthat's what's up so, and that is
to help people scale and expandtheir businesses.
(03:43):
because sometimes, you know,like um, I remember one of our
um, one of our awardees, umprevious awardees she was able
to buy some equipment thathelped her get more customers,
you know, and so we're lookingfor always looking for different
ways to help um, to help ourcommunity 100%, a big round of
(04:04):
applause for that, because Ithink a lot of people don't
really realize who's around themlooking to support you.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Right, I think we had Brian from Light Capital
Investment talking about makinginvestments or being a VC firm,
but that's not the only way toget financing and support around
an idea that you have.
And keeping it local, let metell you, is so inspiring
because us business owners,because I'm a business owner,
(04:32):
this is a business right hereright.
We have challenges, right, wehave challenges.
First of all, you know, makingsure that we're building a
product or a service that reallyaligns with our customers.
But even more so when you're alocal business.
It's even more difficult, right?
Because advertising dollars,storefronts, location, location
all of these things just becomeso overwhelming that you need
(04:54):
organizations like you all toreally help support, and I know
you all are going to look forthe right ones, right?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Absolutely, and it is so important for you to exist
you know the tech hustle, yourpodcast, your platform to be
here, because a lot of times werun into some folks and they say
, oh, we didn't know about youand I'm like we've been around
for 40 years.
You know it may have.
I mean it used to be.
It had a previous name, youknow, m-map.
For those people who were here,you know 20, 30, 40 years ago,
(05:22):
but we're still the sameorganization.
So you know 20, 30, 40 yearsago, but we're still the same
organization.
So we want to make sure thatpeople know we exist.
We're here and we're here toserve you.
You know we are here.
I think it's probably the onlydepartment in the county and
probably maybe in the country.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I might be reaching on that one.
Yeah, brush your shoulders off,it's all right.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
That is of our kind, where we are specifically here
for the black community and forthe empowerment and the
prosperity of the community,because one of our other
programs that you know homeownership is the cornerstone of
wealth in this country.
Really, through our housingprogram, our housing assistance
(06:01):
program, we call it HAP what wedo there is we help with down
payment assistance.
It's not first time home buyer.
It's just down paymentassistance Because, as you know,
a house that, as we talkedabout earlier today, a house
that was $200,000 maybe fouryears ago, is now every bit of
$600,000 to $700,000.
(06:21):
And we help a certaindemographic.
However, if you, if we help,let's say, because most people
say, well, you have to have alow income and you know these
different criteria Notnecessarily, not necessarily,
you know, because sometimes somepeople make $90,000, $80,000,
$90,000, $100,000.
And guess what, in Miami-DadeCounty, everybody needs a little
help with some down paymentassistance, because before you
(06:43):
were able to save and you wereable to take the down payment
now for a $600,000 house is justridiculous.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah, is it 20%, you think?
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Well, I know it was between 20 and 30.
And of course there's alwaysthe interest rates and different
things like that.
So in our department you canget up to $28,000 to help with
closing costs and a variety ofthings.
$1,000 to help with closingcosts and a variety of things.
But I know closing costs wasalways one of the biggest issues
that people, the obstacles thatpeople face because they're
(07:15):
like, oh, I've got to keepsaving all these years and it's
like you know what?
And here's the beautiful partabout it it's a forgivable loan.
So if you stay in the home for20 years, it is your primary
residence.
You do not refinance it ortransfer ownership or anything
like that.
It's your home.
You're there as your primaryresidence.
(07:36):
At the end of those 20 years,the loan is forgiven wow meaning
you don't have to pay it back.
Yeah, you do not have to pay itback.
It is um, no interest.
You're not paying anythingevery month because everybody
goes okay.
So how do I pay this back?
You're not paying it back.
Yeah it, everybody goes okay,so how do I pay this back?
You're not paying it back.
It's forgivable.
I'm like this we're invested,just like you are, so we give
(07:57):
you this $28,000 for yourclosing costs.
You basically live in this home.
This is your primary residence.
If you buy a home, I'm assumingyou plan on staying there
Nowadays, you better hold.
You're not going to try to flipthe house or something like that
.
You know.
And then from there, at the endof those 20 years, that has
(08:18):
been satisfied.
You know that forgettable hasbeen satisfied, and that's it.
And we're sending out letters,like almost every day, to people
who have satisfied you know,their loan has been satisfied to
let them know you're clean andclear with us.
You know, and that's it.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Well, that proves you know you all be in a business
for that long in terms of justthe contributions you make.
But the key thing here is isthat access is what you all are
giving right.
Access to that long in terms ofproperty ownership, but that
property ownership developinginto wealth and the family and
being passed on and things likethat, but then we're keeping it
in our community.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yes, and with keeping it in our community.
I'm glad you said that becauseit just reminds me of something
else.
We also have a rehabilitationassistance program.
So this program is for aroundfolks who already own their home
but they may need some repairs.
That you know who has $30,000,$40,000 to fix the roof.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Nobody, or $6,000 out of nowhere to go paint the
house?
No, ooh, ooh.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
When there's so many different things that you have
to.
You know, you spread so manydifferent ways.
So through our program, theRehabilitation Assistance
Program, what we call RAP, youknow, it's an acronym.
We another forgivable loan upto fifty thousand dollars in
repairs to your home we focus on, of course, first the life's
(09:38):
life health safety issues inyour home.
You know, like if your roofneeds repair yeah okay, but you
want your bathroom done?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
we're gonna take care of that not the bathroom, not
the jacuzzi size.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yet we're not doing that, you know.
But you know, a lot of timespeople can't get insurance
because of the the house is indisrepair or you know, plumbing
issues, electricity.
You know we have a lot ofsenior citizens that have been
owning their homes for manyyears and the home is just, you
know, it's falling apart.
Yeah, you know, we were able tocome in and say we had some.
We had some, some clients whowe had to build a ramp because
(10:13):
now they're at an age where theycan't walk up those stairs or
run up those stairs like theyused to outfit them bathroom,
you know, and make it handicapaccessible.
So there are many ways that youknow this program can help.
And the same way, you know, forthat forgivable loan is 15
years.
After 15, you don't have to payit back, if, of course, you
(10:33):
know you remain in this home forthe 15 years and you know, at
the end of that 15 years, guesswhat?
We send you a letter.
You're clean and clear, youdon't owe us anything.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I don't know who else you owe.
But you don't owe us anything.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can't imagine those letters.
I'd be like yo, can I get moreof these letters, but no, these
programs and this is the thingis, like, a lot of people just
don't know about it Correct, andthis is why the podcast, these
type of events, like at theBlack Wealth Summit here at FMU,
really just gives our communitysome insights.
(11:08):
Yes, because I feel like it'salways like this feeling like,
oh, nobody's there to say help,help, help, and it's like, no,
the help is there, you're justnot looking for it and or these
are the things that you need tobe set in stone and or put in
the right position so that youcan access it, because our
communities are really beingaffected by us not being able to
keep up with things us notbeing able to keep up with
(11:29):
things.
Yes, and that's why I feel likeorganizations like yours are
there to help support us andkeep our communities in our
hands, because they easilyespecially here in Florida with
real estate they're buying upeverything.
I got a question.
I'm sorry to interject here.
So let's say you're in thatprogram right now and you have
to do the roof, is that aseparate program From the
(11:52):
original one?
Speaker 1 (11:55):
So there are two programs that I spoke about.
One is for down paymentassistance Down payment
assistance and then there is, asa part of that division, there
is the rehabilitation assistance, and the rehabilitation
assistance you can send us yourwish list of things that need to
be repaired.
Now, we're not talking aboutcosmetics, though.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
No, yeah, we're talking about some serious stuff
here, but you have to do theroof, yes, you do the roof and
you stuff.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
But you know we're talking about some serious stuff
here.
You know you have to do theroof.
Yes, you do the roof, um, andyou send, send in your
application and all theinformation and requirements
that we're asking you to do,because that's the main thing,
folks, when we ask you to sendin, send it right, don't send us
what you want us to have.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
This is what we asked for.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah, exactly right, but you don't want to delay the
process, you know.
You don't want to delay theprocess because you know, um,
because at this point we havemore demand and supply.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Because the program sorry for RAP Rehabilitation
Assistance Program has beenaround for about two years, once
you know, our executivedirector, bill Diggs,
implemented it and now we havemore demand and supply because,
you know, for people, seeingsomeone else's house get done,
they're like well how did you do?
this.
You know how did you do this.
So it's word of mouth.
How did you do that?
You know how did you do it.
So it's word of mouth, it'sexpressed like that.
(12:58):
But to your point, bobby D, weagain, your platform is so
important to spread thisinformation and I guess we also
need to figure out another wayto just how do we get folks to
know that we're here, becauseyou know now that I think about
it, you know how did they do it,say, for the civil rights
movement, and they didn't havepodcasts and they didn't have
access to television, you know,to the news studios, because
(13:21):
there wasn't nobody letting themin and saying, hey, it's going
to be a movement and with that,250,000 of us going to
Washington, you know theyweren't allowed on television or
something like that.
So it's like here we are andit's like we have all these
things available to us and yetpeople are still saying they
don't know something.
They don't have any knowledgeof it.
So it's like how do we become ahousehold name?
(13:42):
You know, I want our departmentto have that same recognition,
if nothing else, as say, whenyou hear NAACP, you know who
they are immediatelyno-transcript.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
So that man.
I'm so grateful y'all get achance.
Drop the gym button to hear theimpact that we have in terms of
organizations right here inSouth Florida that can help
create that pathway togenerational wealth, but also
the support you need to get outof.
Either it's a hole or you'rejust not like.
This is what theseorganizations are around here
(14:34):
for, and we definitely reallyappreciate you Like.
This is what theseorganizations are around here
for and we definitely reallyappreciate you.
Now, one thing that I do wantto inquire especially about the
entrepreneur side in thebusiness development.
What has been one of the thingsthat the funds that have been
allocated to those businesses,what have they used them mostly
for?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
They've used them for , like, say, equipment inventory
, not food, or anything likethat.
You know, we do have certain.
You know Requirements, yeah,requirements, but mostly say
some people, they didn't.
They had, say, that old schoolcash register where they would
press on the button.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Yeah, it's like cha-ching yeah yeah, now they
have Square.
Yeah, and they're digitized.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Yes, they're absolutely more digitized, yeah,
and more digitized, yes,they're absolutely more
digitized, they are current.
Some people actually were ableto say become more educated
through financial literacy andgo to certain workshops or
certain programs.
We also work with theMiami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
(15:37):
you know, it's the black chamberpretty much and we partner with
them and they have an excellentprogram where, say, for
instance, when our applicants umare applying for the grant,
we're like we have someresources and some folks that we
work with that can actuallyhelp you yeah through this
application process to um, youknow, possibly make it happen
for you where you actually get a, get a grant.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, you know um so there's, a lot of different
things that it can be used for,but with definitely to scale up
that business is uh, to scale upyour business 100, and the
reason why I'm asking is is likewhen, when people are like all
right, so I might need support,but what am I going to use it
for?
Right, and it's really justhelping closing that gap so you
can continue to stay in business, develop and also and also
(16:15):
innovate.
Right, or get access instead ofthe old cash register to the
new, digitized, and now you'redigitizing all your products and
now you're getting betterreporting, you're getting better
data.
Absolutely, you're able to movefaster and like.
It's these gaps that we'reclosing to allow us to continue
to move forward or we're goingto be left behind.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Yes, and with that, and that's why we have those
resources, like the Miami-DadeChamber and different folks that
we work with, because one ofthe things that, again, you know
, people have a great idea andthey've started the business.
Now they just need to know whatto do at this point and they
receive that hand-holding that'sneeded sometimes to get them to
(16:53):
the next level and once theyhave it, they take off.
Facts, they take off.
It's like I just needed alittle push.
They're like I got it from here, I just needed a little push.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Go ahead.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Dee For our listeners .
How can I get in contact withyou?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
So you can get in contact with the Miami-Dade
Economic Advocacy Trust.
You can call us at 305-375-5661.
Ooh, look at that.
I was like we have like 30lines.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
so I'm like which one yeah?
Speaker 1 (17:23):
You can also reach us on the website MiamiDaygov
slash M, as in Mary D-E-A-T, sothat's MiamiDaygov slash MDeet
and you can follow.
Please follow us on Instagram.
We want you to follow us onInstagram at MDTinfo, so we look
forward to gaining morefollowers after this podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, y'all already know about it.
Look in the commentsdescriptions below Y'all going
to see all the information,because that's where you can
definitely keep you know you canfollow us and keep up with what
we're doing what's available toyou Because, again, like I said
, the next thing that we havecoming up next week, in a few
days, as a matter of fact, what?
Speaker 1 (17:58):
five days is our project pitch competition, where
people are going to becompeting for some dollars to
help their businesses.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Yo, we've been bringing in people that are
writing checks all day.
Player.
This is the perfect opportunity,right, and let me first of all
say thank you so much, chandra,for pulling up um and giving us
some information and youraudience.
Please click on the links below.
Follow, get involved, find outabout your community, especially
if you're not only here insouth florida, because we do a
little different down here, butit's not that different, because
(18:28):
they're all services that areavailable in your areas too.
So, but just do the researchand definitely reach out.
But other than that, uh, cue upthe music player.
Let's see what you got themusic running.
So, shonda.
Thank you so much for pullingup the backstage of bobby.
Do you enjoy yourself?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
oh, yeah, love it.
Oh, we'll make it a very.
You gotta get me back, yougotta have me back and we have
to have you on our podcast.
Oh yeah, black prosperitypodcast that's what's up.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
That's what's up.
Before we cut off, any lastwords for the audience members.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Everyone.
Please, please, do yourself aservice.
Come check us out, like I saidon our different platforms, even
if it's something that you arenot ready to do, like, say, with
home ownership.
We need our black folks to ownsome homes.
And we don't want to keep givingour houses away because, again,
through our rehabilitationprogram, we are increasing the
(19:16):
value of the home.
You know, with those repairs,um, we want, we need you to buy
some homes.
Keep these homes, um, and we'rehere to assist you with it, and
I just hope that you takeadvantage of everything that we
have to offer and we are themiami-dade economic advocacy
trust.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Holy on these streets big shout out, sir, and thank
you so much for tuning in.
I hope you heard that we arehere at the Black Wealth Summit
holding it down and we're goingto have another guest come
through, so I hope you staytuned to us.
Thank you so much.
I'll let you boy.
It's Bobby D.
We've given over half a million dollars in grants to
black businesses throughoutMiami-Dade County, and it's a
variety of businesses.
It could be a restaurant, itcould be a chiropractor office,
some artists.
Whatever your business is, youapply, you go through a process,
(00:20):
a vetting process, and you maybe granted.
We want to make sure thatpeople know we exist.
We're here and we're here toserve you.
Where we're specifically herefor the black community.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
And for the empowerment and the prosperity
of the community.
Welcome, welcome, welcome, yeahyo.
(00:54):
What up d hustle, what's goingon?
Guess where we?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
still at player.
Uh, south beach, south beach,no, no, no.
Oh man, we're a little far fromvalvulge.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
All right, yeah, yeah , but we're in south florida
south florida.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
we are at the black wealthalth Summit and I got a
special guest here who we got.
First of all, a big shout-outto FMU, the only black,
historical black college inSouth Florida.
Big shout-out to FMU forhosting us here and big
shout-out to Source and all thesponsors here.
Let's get a round of applausefor Chandra coming to the stage.
So give us a quick introduction, tell us your name and tell us
(01:21):
a little bit about you.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So thank you, gentlemen, for having me.
My name is chandra daniels.
I'm the deputy director atmiami-dade economic advocacy
trust.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Many people know us as indeed.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
However, you know, we like to make sure everybody
knows exactly who we are yeah,the miami-dade economic advocacy
trust yeah, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Now I just seen her on stage and when she came on
stage I was in you know the cutand I was like you, like you did
an amazing job.
And she's like did I?
I was so nervous.
Now you wasn't nervous were youA little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Oh, just a little, just a little.
But when I'm up there it's likecome on.
Yeah, exactly Right.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So tell us a little bit about the topic that you
covered and definitely yourcontributions to this event that
we're having this Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, we're one of the sponsors for Black Wealth
Summit.
Our entire mission is buildingprosperity, economic prosperity
in the black community, Makingsure that our black residents
are actively participating, thatthey're fully participating in
their own prosperity and in thatof Dade County.
(02:19):
So we have the four pillarsthat I spoke about earlier, that
we basically stand on my boss,Bill Diggs, who couldn't be here
today.
Okay, so we have the fourpillars that I spoke about
earlier, that we basically standon my boss, Bill Diggs, who
couldn't be here today.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
However, Big shout out to him, big shout out to
Bill.
I love.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Bill, he called it a four-legged stool.
But those pillars that we standon for black economic
empowerment, our economicdevelopment department, they
give.
We've given over half a milliondollars in grants to black
businesses throughout Miami-DadeCounty.
That's fantastic, and it's avariety of businesses.
(02:54):
You know.
It could be a restaurant, itcan be, I think it was a
chiropractor office, someartists, just whatever your
business is, yeah, you know, youapply, you go through a process
, a vetting process, and you maybe granted up to sometimes, I
think one year we did like$15,000, $20,000.
(03:15):
What we do have coming up onMarch 6th is our pitch
competition.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Oh, I love pitch competitions.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yes, yeah, and so that's on march 6th at the
beacon council, from 3 pm to 6pm, um, where we are granting,
whoever those winners are youknow, bless them, bless them,
bless them.
You know um the top award isfifteen thousand dollars, ten
thousand and five thousandthat's what's up so, and that is
to help people scale and expandtheir businesses.
(03:43):
because sometimes, you know,like um, I remember one of our
um, one of our awardees, umprevious awardees she was able
to buy some equipment thathelped her get more customers,
you know, and so we're lookingfor always looking for different
ways to help um, to help ourcommunity 100%, a big round of
(04:04):
applause for that, because Ithink a lot of people don't
really realize who's around themlooking to support you.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Right, I think we had Brian from Light Capital
Investment talking about makinginvestments or being a VC firm,
but that's not the only way toget financing and support around
an idea that you have.
And keeping it local, let metell you, is so inspiring
because us business owners,because I'm a business owner,
(04:32):
this is a business right hereright.
We have challenges, right, wehave challenges.
First of all, you know, makingsure that we're building a
product or a service that reallyaligns with our customers.
But even more so when you're alocal business.
It's even more difficult, right?
Because advertising dollars,storefronts, location, location
all of these things just becomeso overwhelming that you need
(04:54):
organizations like you all toreally help support, and I know
you all are going to look forthe right ones, right?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Absolutely, and it is so important for you to exist
you know the tech hustle, yourpodcast, your platform to be
here, because a lot of times werun into some folks and they say
, oh, we didn't know about youand I'm like we've been around
for 40 years.
You know it may have.
I mean it used to be.
It had a previous name, youknow, m-map.
For those people who were here,you know 20, 30, 40 years ago,
(05:22):
but we're still the sameorganization.
So you know 20, 30, 40 yearsago, but we're still the same
organization.
So we want to make sure thatpeople know we exist.
We're here and we're here toserve you.
You know we are here.
I think it's probably the onlydepartment in the county and
probably maybe in the country.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I might be reaching on that one.
Yeah, brush your shoulders off,it's all right.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
That is of our kind, where we are specifically here
for the black community and forthe empowerment and the
prosperity of the community,because one of our other
programs that you know homeownership is the cornerstone of
wealth in this country.
Really, through our housingprogram, our housing assistance
(06:01):
program, we call it HAP what wedo there is we help with down
payment assistance.
It's not first time home buyer.
It's just down paymentassistance Because, as you know,
a house that, as we talkedabout earlier today, a house
that was $200,000 maybe fouryears ago, is now every bit of
$600,000 to $700,000.
(06:21):
And we help a certaindemographic.
However, if you, if we help,let's say, because most people
say, well, you have to have alow income and you know these
different criteria Notnecessarily, not necessarily,
you know, because sometimes somepeople make $90,000, $80,000,
$90,000, $100,000.
And guess what, in Miami-DadeCounty, everybody needs a little
help with some down paymentassistance, because before you
(06:43):
were able to save and you wereable to take the down payment
now for a $600,000 house is justridiculous.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah, is it 20%, you think?
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Well, I know it was between 20 and 30.
And of course there's alwaysthe interest rates and different
things like that.
So in our department you canget up to $28,000 to help with
closing costs and a variety ofthings.
$1,000 to help with closingcosts and a variety of things.
But I know closing costs wasalways one of the biggest issues
that people, the obstacles thatpeople face because they're
(07:15):
like, oh, I've got to keepsaving all these years and it's
like you know what?
And here's the beautiful partabout it it's a forgivable loan.
So if you stay in the home for20 years, it is your primary
residence.
You do not refinance it ortransfer ownership or anything
like that.
It's your home.
You're there as your primaryresidence.
(07:36):
At the end of those 20 years,the loan is forgiven wow meaning
you don't have to pay it back.
Yeah, you do not have to pay itback.
It is um, no interest.
You're not paying anythingevery month because everybody
goes okay.
So how do I pay this back?
You're not paying it back.
Yeah it, everybody goes okay,so how do I pay this back?
You're not paying it back.
It's forgivable.
I'm like this we're invested,just like you are, so we give
(07:57):
you this $28,000 for yourclosing costs.
You basically live in this home.
This is your primary residence.
If you buy a home, I'm assumingyou plan on staying there
Nowadays, you better hold.
You're not going to try to flipthe house or something like that
.
You know.
And then from there, at the endof those 20 years, that has
(08:18):
been satisfied.
You know that forgettable hasbeen satisfied, and that's it.
And we're sending out letters,like almost every day, to people
who have satisfied you know,their loan has been satisfied to
let them know you're clean andclear with us.
You know, and that's it.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Well, that proves you know you all be in a business
for that long in terms of justthe contributions you make.
But the key thing here is isthat access is what you all are
giving right.
Access to that long in terms ofproperty ownership, but that
property ownership developinginto wealth and the family and
being passed on and things likethat, but then we're keeping it
in our community.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yes, and with keeping it in our community.
I'm glad you said that becauseit just reminds me of something
else.
We also have a rehabilitationassistance program.
So this program is for aroundfolks who already own their home
but they may need some repairs.
That you know who has $30,000,$40,000 to fix the roof.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Nobody, or $6,000 out of nowhere to go paint the
house?
No, ooh, ooh.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
When there's so many different things that you have
to.
You know, you spread so manydifferent ways.
So through our program, theRehabilitation Assistance
Program, what we call RAP, youknow, it's an acronym.
We another forgivable loan upto fifty thousand dollars in
repairs to your home we focus on, of course, first the life's
(09:38):
life health safety issues inyour home.
You know, like if your roofneeds repair yeah okay, but you
want your bathroom done?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
we're gonna take care of that not the bathroom, not
the jacuzzi size.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yet we're not doing that, you know.
But you know, a lot of timespeople can't get insurance
because of the the house is indisrepair or you know, plumbing
issues, electricity.
You know we have a lot ofsenior citizens that have been
owning their homes for manyyears and the home is just, you
know, it's falling apart.
Yeah, you know, we were able tocome in and say we had some.
We had some, some clients whowe had to build a ramp because
(10:13):
now they're at an age where theycan't walk up those stairs or
run up those stairs like theyused to outfit them bathroom,
you know, and make it handicapaccessible.
So there are many ways that youknow this program can help.
And the same way, you know, forthat forgivable loan is 15
years.
After 15, you don't have to payit back, if, of course, you
(10:33):
know you remain in this home forthe 15 years and you know, at
the end of that 15 years, guesswhat?
We send you a letter.
You're clean and clear, youdon't owe us anything.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I don't know who else you owe.
But you don't owe us anything.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can't imagine those letters.
I'd be like yo, can I get moreof these letters, but no, these
programs and this is the thingis, like, a lot of people just
don't know about it Correct, andthis is why the podcast, these
type of events, like at theBlack Wealth Summit here at FMU,
really just gives our communitysome insights.
(11:08):
Yes, because I feel like it'salways like this feeling like,
oh, nobody's there to say help,help, help, and it's like, no,
the help is there, you're justnot looking for it and or these
are the things that you need tobe set in stone and or put in
the right position so that youcan access it, because our
communities are really beingaffected by us not being able to
keep up with things us notbeing able to keep up with
(11:29):
things.
Yes, and that's why I feel likeorganizations like yours are
there to help support us andkeep our communities in our
hands, because they easilyespecially here in Florida with
real estate they're buying upeverything.
I got a question.
I'm sorry to interject here.
So let's say you're in thatprogram right now and you have
to do the roof, is that aseparate program From the
(11:52):
original one?
Speaker 1 (11:55):
So there are two programs that I spoke about.
One is for down paymentassistance Down payment
assistance and then there is, asa part of that division, there
is the rehabilitation assistance, and the rehabilitation
assistance you can send us yourwish list of things that need to
be repaired.
Now, we're not talking aboutcosmetics, though.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
No, yeah, we're talking about some serious stuff
here, but you have to do theroof, yes, you do the roof and
you stuff.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
But you know we're talking about some serious stuff
here.
You know you have to do theroof.
Yes, you do the roof, um, andyou send, send in your
application and all theinformation and requirements
that we're asking you to do,because that's the main thing,
folks, when we ask you to sendin, send it right, don't send us
what you want us to have.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
This is what we asked for.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Yeah, exactly right, but you don't want to delay the
process, you know.
You don't want to delay theprocess because you know, um,
because at this point we havemore demand and supply.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Because the program sorry for RAP Rehabilitation
Assistance Program has beenaround for about two years, once
you know, our executivedirector, bill Diggs,
implemented it and now we havemore demand and supply because,
you know, for people, seeingsomeone else's house get done,
they're like well how did you do?
this.
You know how did you do this.
So it's word of mouth.
How did you do that?
You know how did you do it.
So it's word of mouth, it'sexpressed like that.
(12:58):
But to your point, bobby D, weagain, your platform is so
important to spread thisinformation and I guess we also
need to figure out another wayto just how do we get folks to
know that we're here, becauseyou know now that I think about
it, you know how did they do it,say, for the civil rights
movement, and they didn't havepodcasts and they didn't have
access to television, you know,to the news studios, because
(13:21):
there wasn't nobody letting themin and saying, hey, it's going
to be a movement and with that,250,000 of us going to
Washington, you know theyweren't allowed on television or
something like that.
So it's like here we are andit's like we have all these
things available to us and yetpeople are still saying they
don't know something.
They don't have any knowledgeof it.
So it's like how do we become ahousehold name?
(13:42):
You know, I want our departmentto have that same recognition,
if nothing else, as say, whenyou hear NAACP, you know who
they are immediatelyno-transcript.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
So that man.
I'm so grateful y'all get achance.
Drop the gym button to hear theimpact that we have in terms of
organizations right here inSouth Florida that can help
create that pathway togenerational wealth, but also
the support you need to get outof.
Either it's a hole or you'rejust not like.
This is what theseorganizations are around here
(14:34):
for, and we definitely reallyappreciate you Like.
This is what theseorganizations are around here
for and we definitely reallyappreciate you.
Now, one thing that I do wantto inquire especially about the
entrepreneur side in thebusiness development.
What has been one of the thingsthat the funds that have been
allocated to those businesses,what have they used them mostly
for?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
They've used them for , like, say, equipment inventory
, not food, or anything likethat.
You know, we do have certain.
You know Requirements, yeah,requirements, but mostly say
some people, they didn't.
They had, say, that old schoolcash register where they would
press on the button.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Yeah, it's like cha-ching yeah yeah, now they
have Square.
Yeah, and they're digitized.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Yes, they're absolutely more digitized, yeah,
and more digitized, yes,they're absolutely more
digitized, they are current.
Some people actually were ableto say become more educated
through financial literacy andgo to certain workshops or
certain programs.
We also work with theMiami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
(15:37):
you know, it's the black chamberpretty much and we partner with
them and they have an excellentprogram where, say, for
instance, when our applicants umare applying for the grant,
we're like we have someresources and some folks that we
work with that can actuallyhelp you yeah through this
application process to um, youknow, possibly make it happen
for you where you actually get a, get a grant.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, you know um so there's, a lot of different
things that it can be used for,but with definitely to scale up
that business is uh, to scale upyour business 100, and the
reason why I'm asking is is likewhen, when people are like all
right, so I might need support,but what am I going to use it
for?
Right, and it's really justhelping closing that gap so you
can continue to stay in business, develop and also and also
(16:15):
innovate.
Right, or get access instead ofthe old cash register to the
new, digitized, and now you'redigitizing all your products and
now you're getting betterreporting, you're getting better
data.
Absolutely, you're able to movefaster and like.
It's these gaps that we'reclosing to allow us to continue
to move forward or we're goingto be left behind.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Yes, and with that, and that's why we have those
resources, like the Miami-DadeChamber and different folks that
we work with, because one ofthe things that, again, you know
, people have a great idea andthey've started the business.
Now they just need to know whatto do at this point and they
receive that hand-holding that'sneeded sometimes to get them to
(16:53):
the next level and once theyhave it, they take off.
Facts, they take off.
It's like I just needed alittle push.
They're like I got it from here, I just needed a little push.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Go ahead.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Dee For our listeners .
How can I get in contact withyou?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
So you can get in contact with the Miami-Dade
Economic Advocacy Trust.
You can call us at 305-375-5661.
Ooh, look at that.
I was like we have like 30lines.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
so I'm like which one yeah?
Speaker 1 (17:23):
You can also reach us on the website MiamiDaygov
slash M, as in Mary D-E-A-T, sothat's MiamiDaygov slash MDeet
and you can follow.
Please follow us on Instagram.
We want you to follow us onInstagram at MDTinfo, so we look
forward to gaining morefollowers after this podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, y'all already know about it.
Look in the commentsdescriptions below Y'all going
to see all the information,because that's where you can
definitely keep you know you canfollow us and keep up with what
we're doing what's available toyou Because, again, like I said
, the next thing that we havecoming up next week, in a few
days, as a matter of fact, what?
Speaker 1 (17:58):
five days is our project pitch competition, where
people are going to becompeting for some dollars to
help their businesses.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Yo, we've been bringing in people that are
writing checks all day.
Player.
This is the perfect opportunity,right, and let me first of all
say thank you so much, chandra,for pulling up um and giving us
some information and youraudience.
Please click on the links below.
Follow, get involved, find outabout your community, especially
if you're not only here insouth florida, because we do a
little different down here, butit's not that different, because
(18:28):
they're all services that areavailable in your areas too.
So, but just do the researchand definitely reach out.
But other than that, uh, cue upthe music player.
Let's see what you got themusic running.
So, shonda.
Thank you so much for pullingup the backstage of bobby.
Do you enjoy yourself?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
oh, yeah, love it.
Oh, we'll make it a very.
You gotta get me back, yougotta have me back and we have
to have you on our podcast.
Oh yeah, black prosperitypodcast that's what's up.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
That's what's up.
Before we cut off, any lastwords for the audience members.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Everyone.
Please, please, do yourself aservice.
Come check us out, like I saidon our different platforms, even
if it's something that you arenot ready to do, like, say, with
home ownership.
We need our black folks to ownsome homes.
And we don't want to keep givingour houses away because, again,
through our rehabilitationprogram, we are increasing the
(19:16):
value of the home.
You know, with those repairs,um, we want, we need you to buy
some homes.
Keep these homes, um, and we'rehere to assist you with it, and
I just hope that you takeadvantage of everything that we
have to offer and we are themiami-dade economic advocacy
trust.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Holy on these streets big shout out, sir, and thank
you so much for tuning in.
I hope you heard that we arehere at the Black Wealth Summit
holding it down and we're goingto have another guest come
through, so I hope you staytuned to us.
Thank you so much.
I'll let you boy.
It's Bobby D.
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