RUNWAY Transitions to RUNWAY Roots: Celebrating a Transformative Journey Towards Reparative Finance
[Chicago, Illinois | September 2, 2025] RUNWAY, the pioneering financial innovation group, is excited to unveil its new name and visual identity, transitioning to RUNWAY Roots. The rebrand signifies a transformative journey towards reparative finance that centers on love and support for Black communities.
To mark this milestone, RUNWAY Roots will be hosting three exclusive invite-only events in Chicago, a key market for our mission and vision. These events will reflect on the organization's past accomplishments, celebrate its present achievements, and share a compelling vision for the future.
The evolution from RUNWAY to RUNWAY Roots is a testament to the organization's commitment to systemic change, rooted in accountability, clarity, and a deep dedication to uplifting businesses in historically Black communities. Through strategic partnerships with financial institutions and innovative initiatives like the Entrepreneur Universal Basic Income pilot, RUNWAY Roots has demonstrated a unique approach to financial empowerment that prioritizes community well-being.
Founded by Jessica Norwood, RUNWAY Roots embodies an ethos that is both grounded and visionary. The organization's journey from its inception to the launch of The ROOTED Fund showcases a legacy of resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to building a more just and liberated future for all.
"The transition from RUNWAY to RUNWAY Roots represents our unwavering commitment to creating a financial ecosystem that uplifts and empowers entrepreneurs who are building wealth in Black communities. Our journey has been shaped by a deep sense of responsibility and a relentless pursuit of justice, and we are excited to embark on this next chapter of transformative impact,” says co-founder and CEO Jessica Norwood.
By launching as RUNWAY Roots, the organization aims to deepen its core values of reimagination, reclamation, relationship, and repair. The rebranding not only reflects the company's evolution but also strengthens its position as a leader in community wealth-building and financial innovation.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ivi Morales, Communications Associate
ivi@runway.family
###
About RUNWAY Roots
RUNWAY Roots is a Black woman-founded financial innovation group and the home of reparative finance. Unlike conventional financial institutions, our work is rooted in a framework that centers founders and entrepreneurs, redefines risk, and prioritizes community decision-making. We design and manage funds, financial products, and programs that educate and shift the culture of finance—toward an economy that loves Black people.
Since 2017, our work has catalyzed $1.62 million in holistic, repair-centered funding for more than 40 businesses in California and Massachusetts that have since generated $15 million in revenue. Projects we have supported include The Friends & Family Fund in Oakland and Boston, The Real People’s Fund in the Oakland/East Bay community, and most recently, The RUNWAY ROOTED Fund which is our first in-house, integrated capital fund committed to investing $50 million dollars into businesses, cooperatives, and social impact organizations that support the creator economy in Black communities across the U.S.
We’re a community of practice for financial institutions, investors, and philanthropic organizations who desire to show up differently and a community of support for entrepreneurs who are leading the way. Learn more at www.runway.family.
RUNWAY Roots includes RUNWAY Root, Inc. and its subsidiary RUNWAY Investment Advisory, LLC.
