WRP and BVF

WhiteResponseProject.org is excited to announce the launch of the Black Venture Fund, a powerful initiative designed to invest directly in Black and Brown communities. We are calling on corporations to join us in this effort, contributing to a fund aimed at addressing the historical impacts of slavery, Black Codes, Jim Crow segregation, and centuries of systemic racism. We refuse to wait for others to take action—the time for reparative justice is now. It’s time for all of us, regardless of race, to confront our shared history and work united toward a brighter, more equitable future.

If you're a Black or Brown entrepreneur seeking funding for your business or idea, we encourage you to reach out. Contact Joe Bruno at 386-562-0312 or via email at joebruno@whiteresponseproject.org. Our dedicated team at WRP is here to support you through every step of the process, bringing our resources and expertise to help your business succeed.

We acknowledge the tragic history of mistreatment and oppression faced by Black and Brown communities—a history that continues to affect the present. The wealth gap, income gap, education gap, housing gap, and health disparitiesare all legacies of historical injustice. But we are committed to tackling these challenges within our generation. By coming together across racial lines, we can create meaningful change and bridge these divides.

The White Response Project and the Black Venture Fund share a mission: to address the ongoing challenges faced by millions of Black and Brown Americans. In the United States, 140 million people live in poverty or are considered low-income, making up around 43% of the population. Of the 42 million Black and Brown Americans, 60% fall into this category—that’s over 25 million people. Shockingly, most of these individuals cannot manage a $500 emergency expense. This is unacceptable in the wealthiest nation in the world.

"When you’re in a challenging situation, our priority is to help you rise above it."

The legacy of 400 years of racism has real, measurable consequences. Generational wealth disparities, limited educational opportunities, and suppressed income levels have contributed to the entrenched inequality we see today. The segregation of housing and education continues to play a significant role. Education and housing are the foundations of wealth and income, and without equal access, the disparities will persist.

While the 13th Amendment ended slavery and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 formally ended segregation, racism did not disappear. It didn’t vanish—it was simply dimmed, like a switch turned down but not off. Changing beliefs, behaviors, and systems takes time, and the institutionalized racism that thrived for centuries has left deep scars on Black and Brown communities. Systemic racism still lingers, impacting every aspect of life.

Imagine waking up every day carrying the equivalent of a 50-pound bag of sand on your back, with 25-pound weights in each hand and 30-pound bags around each ankle. Now imagine going to work, voting, pursuing an education, trying to buy a home, seeking medical care, and attempting to integrate into a society that continually pushes back. For many Black and Brown people, this is what daily life feels like. The rules and the starting lines are not the same for everyone. The opportunities available to White individuals are often not the same for their Black counterparts.

But we have the power to change this. By supporting initiatives like the Black Venture Fund and standing together in solidarity, we can remove these burdens and create a society where opportunity is truly equal for all. The time to act is now, and we are committed to making it happen.

We will make this change—together.