How the Frey Foundation Helped Launch the New Community Transformation Fund

From Shanghai to 1,100 Stores: The Hummus Goodness Success Story with Hannah Awada

From a Kitchen Window to Over 1,100 Stores: Hannah Awada's Journey of Purpose-Driven Growth. How do you grow a successful business without losing sight of what made it special? In the sixth and final episode of Capital for Change [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/capital-for-change--6991616], host Phil Tower welcomes Hannah Awada, founder and CEO of Hummus Goodness [https://www.hummusgoodness.com/], to share the inspiring story behind one of Michigan's fastest-growing specialty food brands. Hannah's story is both inspiring and impressive. What began with homemade hummus sold from Hannah's kitchen window in Shanghai has grown into a company whose products are now available in more than 1,100 retail locations. Throughout that journey, she's remained committed to creating clean-label, small-batch products while building a business grounded in authenticity, quality, and community. Hannah shares her story with us, including the challenges of launching and scaling a business, the importance of staying true to her values, and how investment from the New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/] helped position Hummus Goodness [https://www.hummusgoodness.com/] for its next stage of growth. She also reflects on leadership, entrepreneurship, and finding investment partners who share her long-term vision. As the inaugural season of Capital for Change  [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/capital-for-change--6991616]comes to a close, Hannah's story is a fitting reminder that bold ideas, authentic leadership, and mission-driven investment can create lasting impact for businesses and communities alike.  Learn more about the New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.org]  This is hummus the way it’s meant to be. Hummus Goodness [https://www.hummusgoodness.com/] Looking for insight on startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan? “Capital for Change” features business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, joined by host Phil Tower, exploring how innovative ideas become successful companies.  Listen on the iHeartRadio app and wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you enjoyed this podcast series, please share it with a friend!

The Power of Purpose-Driven Investing with NCTF Managing Director Abid Ali

What does it take to identify businesses that can generate both financial returns and meaningful community impact? In Episode 5 of Capital for Change, host Phil Tower is joined by New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/]co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for a conversation with Abid Ali, Managing Director of the New Community Transformation Fund. Together, they explore how strategic investments can create new pathways for entrepreneurship, economic growth, and opportunity across Michigan. Abid shares his delightful and surprising pathway and personal journey to the New Community Transformation Fund and offers an inside look at how the organization evaluates investment opportunities through both a business and community-impact lens.  Abid is also a principal with Michigan Capital Network [https://michigancapitalnetwork.com/] Their discussion highlights the fund’s recent portfolio expansion, including four new investments that bring its portfolio to ten companies led by innovative entrepreneurs committed to growth and transformation. Adid also shares some of the companies helping drive that impact, including Grand Rapids-based Holo Footwear, a fast-growing Latino-owned athletic footwear company that has gained national attention through partnerships with professional athletes and placement in major retail outlets. Abid explains what made Holo an attractive investment and why supporting founders with bold visions can create ripple effects throughout local and regional economies. The conversation also explores the broader portfolio of businesses supported by the fund, including companies operating in technology, workforce development, consumer products, healthcare, and financial innovation. Abid discusses how these investments align with NCTF’s mission of expanding access to capital and creating long-term opportunities for business leaders of color. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, community leader, or simply interested in the future of economic development in Michigan, this episode offers valuable insights into how mission-driven capital can help build stronger businesses and more vibrant communities. Capital for Change is powered by the New Community Transformation Fund, [https://newcommunityfund.com/] a $25 million venture capital fund investing in companies owned and operated by business leaders of color located in West Michigan or committed to growing their businesses in the region.   Looking for insight on startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan? “Capital for Change” features business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, joined by host Phil Tower, exploring how innovative ideas become successful companies.  Listen on the iHeartRadio app and wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you enjoyed this podcast series, please share it with a friend!

Music, Tech & Equity: Dre Wallace and the Bold Vision Behind Opnr

What happens when music, technology, and entrepreneurship collide with a mission to create more equitable opportunities for independent artists? In Episode 4 of Capital for Change, host Phil Tower joins New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/] co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for an inspiring conversation with Andrea “Dre” Wallace, [https://www.detroitchamber.com/bios/andrea-wallace/] co-founder and CEO of Opnr [https://opnrmusic.com/] — an innovative platform helping independent artists connect with venues and promoters through smarter booking tools and audience-driven data. Dre shares how her dual background as a touring musician, DJ, and technologist helped shape the vision for Opnr — and why she believes independent artists deserve better access, visibility, and opportunity within the live music ecosystem. The conversation explores how Opnr is using technology to solve real-world challenges for venues, promoters, and performers alike while building a more inclusive future for the music industry. We also discuss Dre’s connection with New Community Transformation Fund and what it means to partner with an organization focused on investing in founders of color and expanding economic opportunity in West Michigan and beyond.  Dre shares about the importance of mission-aligned capital, the realities of entrepreneurship, and her long-term vision for creating meaningful impact through innovation. Plus, Dre offers candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs — especially future founders from underrepresented backgrounds — who are working to turn bold ideas into sustainable businesses. Capital for Change is powered by the New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/], a venture capital fund investing in companies led by business leaders of color with ties to West Michigan.    Looking for insight on startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan? “Capital for Change” features business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, joined by host Phil Tower, exploring how innovative ideas become successful companies.  Listen on the iHeartRadio app and wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you enjoyed this podcast series, please share it with a friend!

Beyond Philanthropy: Steve Jandernoa on Investing in Economic Opportunity Through NCTF

In Episode 3 of Capital for Change, host Phil Tower is joined once again by New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com] co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for a conversation with longtime West Michigan business and philanthropic leader Steve Jandernoa. A partner at 42 North Partners [https://www.42np.com/], president of the Jandernoa Foundation [https://jandernoamentoring.com/], and Investment Committee Chair of the New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/], Jandernoa shares why he believes equitable access to capital can create lasting economic and community transformation. The episode begins with a personal look at the values and experiences that shaped Jandernoa’s commitment to philanthropy, leadership, and community investment. He also shares how his background in finance and community work helped shape his belief that philanthropy can drive meaningful, long-term change. We also hear how Jandernoa first became involved with the New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com/] after receiving a call from Klohs during the fund’s early development and why he and his family believed NCTF represented an important opportunity — not simply as philanthropy, but as a strategic investment in entrepreneurs, innovation, and economic inclusion across West Michigan. Throughout the episode, Jandernoa discusses why venture capital models like NCTF offer something different from traditional philanthropy: a focus on ownership, scalability, wealth creation, and long-term sustainability. He also shares insights into building trust between philanthropists, investors, and entrepreneurs, and explains how collaboration and mentorship are critical to helping businesses succeed beyond access to funding alone. Looking ahead, Jandernoa reflects on what success for the New Community Transformation Fund could look like five or ten years from now — not only in financial returns, but in stronger businesses, stronger communities, and broader economic opportunity throughout Grand Rapids and beyond. Capital for Change continues to spotlight the people, partnerships, and bold ideas helping reshape economic development through the New Community Transformation Fund. Learn more at New Community Transformation Fund. [https://newcommunityfund.com/] Looking for insight on startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan? “Capital for Change” features business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, joined by host Phil Tower, exploring how innovative ideas become successful companies.  Listen on the iHeartRadio app and wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you enjoyed this podcast series, please share it with a friend!

How the Frey Foundation Helped Launch the New Community Transformation Fund

In this second episode of Capital for Change, host Phil Tower is joined once again by New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for an inside look at one of the key early partnerships that helped propel the fund forward. Birgit and Skot speak with Holly Johnson, President of The Frey Foundation [https://freyfdn.org/]— one of West Michigan’s leading family foundations and an early supporter of the New Community Transformation Fund. In this conversation, you'll hear how founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch identified Holly Johnson and The Frey Foundation as a critical early partner while building support for the fund’s ambitious vision: investing in scalable businesses owned and operated by entrepreneurs of color in West Michigan. Johnson reflects on her initial reaction to the idea of the fund, why the mission resonated so strongly with The Frey Foundation, and why her team chose to make a significant early commitment to help advance the initiative.  The conversation also explores the broader role philanthropy can play in economic transformation as Johnson shares how The Frey Foundation’s core “Pillars of Place” — Building Community, Children & Families, Community Arts, and the Environment — align with the long-term vision of the New Community Transformation Fund and its potential ripple effects throughout communities across West Michigan. Klohs and Welch share what it meant to receive a $500,000 commitment from The Frey Foundation during the fund’s early stages and explain how moments like that helped validate the vision and generate momentum among other investors and community partners. We also gain deeper insight into the mission of the New Community Transformation Fund itself — a now-$25 million venture capital fund focused on investing in businesses led by entrepreneurs of color. Learn more at New Community Transformation Fund [https://newcommunityfund.com] and the Frey Foundation. [https://freyfdn.org] Looking for insight on startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan? “Capital for Change” features business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, joined by host Phil Tower, exploring how innovative ideas become successful companies.  Listen on the iHeartRadio app and wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you enjoyed this podcast series, please share it with a friend!