Empowering Entrepreneurs, Building Stronger Communities
First Community Capital (FCC) champions business growth and success. We provide capital and support to small businesses and individuals seeking to build their dreams through entrepreneurship.
Our Mission
The mission of First Community Capital is to champion economic justice and opportunity by expanding access to affordable capital and technical assistance for economically disadvantaged small businesses and individuals with low to moderate incomes.
Our Vision
We envision a thriving business community where entrepreneurs from all backgrounds can access the resources they need to grow and succeed.
Growth
Supporting business expansion.
Success
Achieving sustainable profits.
Community
Creating local prosperity.
Meet Our Team
T. Jay Diallo
President & CEO
Leading our organization with vision and strategic direction
Leading our organization with vision and strategic direction
Dr. Moses Agoro
Business Counselor
Providing expert guidance to help businesses overcome challenges
Providing expert guidance to help businesses overcome challenges
Ray Masterson
Loan Underwriter
Evaluating financial opportunities to support your business growth
Evaluating financial opportunities to support your business growth
Claudia Rivera
Loan Processor
Facilitating loan applications and ensuring smooth processing for client success
Facilitating loan applications and ensuring smooth processing for client success
Zeke Gebrekidane
Business Development
Creating opportunities for expansion and new partnerships
Creating opportunities for expansion and new partnerships
Ariel ‘Ari’ Barrera
Business Development / Counselor
Offering dual expertise in growth strategies and business advice
Offering dual expertise in growth strategies and business advice
Boniface (Bon) Kurema
Finance and Project Coordinator
Ensuring smooth operations and financial management
Ensuring smooth operations and financial management
Our Foundation
FCC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 2019 to bridge the financial gap for small businesses across Inland Southern California. Inspired by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus's microfinance principles, we've provided over $5 million in affordable capital to more than 200 local entrepreneurs, with loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $250,000.
Who We Support
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs with revenues under $1 million.
- Startups and emerging businesses seeking their first round of growth capital.
- Independent and family-owned businesses that have operated for at least 6 months.
- Individuals facing financial barriers including limited credit history or collateral.
- Those seeking access to capital with interest rates between 6 -12% and flexible terms up to 5 years
Our Approach & Impact
FCC ensures business success through our comprehensive approach: combining accessible financing (with approval rates over 85%), responsible lending practices (including no prepayment penalties), and community-focused support (offering 20+ hours of free technical assistance per client). Our borrowers have created over 500 local jobs and maintained a 95% repayment rate
Our Five-Year Journey: From Vision to Impact
2019
Inspired by Muhammad Yunus' Grameen Bank model, we established First Community Capital with an initial $55,000 seed funding. Our vision: empower local entrepreneurs through accessible microfinance solutions.
2019
2020
Launched our first microfinance program and established our "Business Success" technical assistance initiative, successfully supporting 50 entrepreneurs in its inaugural year.
2021
Achieved U.S. Treasury CDFI certification and obtained California Lender License #CFL-137691, enabling us to expand our services across three counties in Southern California.
2021
2022
Secured major funding partnerships that increased our lending capacity to $1.5M, allowing us to serve more entrepreneurs and offer larger loan amounts.
2023
Reached milestone of 100 loans funded and 350 businesses supported. Maintained a 95% repayment rate while expanding our impact across the region.
2023
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to removing financial barriers so entrepreneurs can focus on growing their businesses—not struggling to secure funding. Our process is simple, accessible, and tailored to support the long-term success of small business owners.
Our Core Principles
- Opportunity Expanding access to business funding and financial resources.
- Trust – Operating with transparency and accountability.
- Growth – Supporting responsible lending and business success.
- Partnership – Working with businesses and organizations to create lasting impact
