Ascendus, Inc.

Impact Story

Kahindo Mateene, Kahindo in New York, NY

Kahindo moved from The Congo with a suitcase full of traditional African fashion. She was proud to wear the clothes that represented her culture, but others did not have the same enthusiasm. Although Kahindo studied business, she found her passion in fashion when she saw it as an educational opportunity. Kahindo said of her designs, “I named each design after different themes, countries, ethnic groups, and locations in Africa – so people could understand how diverse and beautiful the continent really is.”

Going back to school for fashion was expensive, and deferred student loans caused a negative impact on Kahindo’s credit score, preventing her from getting a traditional loan. Kahindo needed the funding to invest in a marketing campaign and move her business to an online marketplace. When she could not qualify for a traditional loan because of her credit score, she turned to Ascendus and was able to qualify for the Get Ready Line of Credit Program – an Ascendus product specifically designed to help Black and African American small business owners improve their credit. Kahindo said of the guidance she received from Ascendus’ program, “Ascendus came in and taught me how to clean up my credit and the steps I needed to take to qualify for a larger loan.” Today, Kahindo’s brand is flourishing online, and through it she is making a social impact by providing employment and educational opportunities to her community. Everyone who works with Kahindo’s brand, from those who help design the clothes to those who physically make them, are women, including refugees in Africa.

Photo credit: Ascendus and Michael Mendonca Photography

Impact Story

Annie Tao and Martin Ayala, Always Keep Progressing in Miami, FL

Annie and Martin are the owners of Always Keep Progressing, a practice that includes occupational, music, art, and speech therapy for children with disabilities. Annie always had an interest in music and therapy. She trained as a pianist for over twenty years and is a speech pathologist. Her dream was to be able to combine those two passions under one roof. As a speech pathologist, Annie began to create ideas on how music could help children with their therapy but found it difficult to incorporate her ideas into traditional speech pathology settings. Although many children with disabilities need more than one form of therapy, the therapies are often segregated. This makes it incredibly difficult to incorporate new ideas within each discipline and forces parents of patients to visit many therapists at different locations. In addition, many patients that are on Medicaid do not have access to these forms of therapy. Annie wanted to ease the burden on families in her care, provide for those that couldn’t afford it, and revolutionize the therapy industry. With that in mind, she created Always Keep Progressing in 2019.

In September of 2021, Martin joined Always Keep Progressing to work on the business aspect of the organization. Annie handled the therapy and the patients, and Martin handled the financial and marketing aspects of the company. After only a year and a half, they had more than doubled their clients and staff to over 50 clients and 25 staff members. To keep up with the demand of their clinic, they needed to expand. Annie and Martin reached out to Ascendus and received two loans from the Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund. With their first loan, they continued paying their employees during the pandemic and offered competitive pay packages. With their second loan, Annie and Martin expanded their clinic and bought new therapy equipment. Annie and Martin said of the loans they received from Ascendus, “because of Ascendus we were able to continue operations. Ascendus gave us an affordable interest rate, allowed us to offer competitive pay packages, and overall, helped us grow our business.” Today, Annie and Martin have served over 400 families across Miami and are opening a second location. They are also incorporating feeding therapy and expressive therapy.

Photo credit: Ascendus and Michael Mendonca Photography

Impact Story

Ybelia Almonte, DCAG Daycare in New York, NY

When Ybelia first moved to the United States, her community helped her make the Bronx her home. She noticed that many of the women lacked access to affordable childcare and were unable to work due to childcare costs. Ybelia started DCAG Daycare and matched her prices to what those in her community could afford. Ybelia’s daycare was quickly gaining traction, but she needed funding to furnish her daycare and to provide toys, food, and educational resources for the children. She turned to Ascendus, and received a loan from Ascendus’s Childcare Provider Initiative, which launched the success of her business. Ybelia has grown to six part-time staff and 16 children in her daycare. She has implemented English and Spanish learning into her curriculum, expanded the age range of the children that she cares for, and renovated her space to create a well-rounded and comprehensive learning environment. Through repayment plans and access to financial education assistance, she’s learned how to manage her debt and grow her credit. Ybelia said of the loan she received from Ascendus, “since my first loan with Ascendus, I increased my staff, the number of children I can serve, and raised my credit score by 90 points. I am so grateful for Ascendus that I have a safety net. I don’t have to worry anymore.”

Ybelia’s daycare continued to expand and in 2023, she received a $50,000 loan from Ascendus through the New York City Opportunity Fund. The funding enabled her to implement a pickup and drop-off program, giving parents more freedom and flexibility in their daily lives. The loan also enabled her to create an after-school program, creating an ongoing space of support and learning for the families and children in her community. The implementation of these programs is furthering Ybelia’s main goal of helping women in her community balance both work and childcare.

Photo credit: Ascendus and Michael Mendonca Photography

Impact Story

Ernie Campbell, Jamaica Mi Hungry in Boston, MA

Ernie always had a passion for food and it is what led him to becoming a top chef in Jamaica. When Ernie left Jamaica to pursue more opportunities in America, he began working as a chef at the New England Aquarium. Ernie learned to cook from his grandmother who would create huge meals on Sundays for his family. Those meals are what made him feel safe, comfortable, and close to home.

Through a $10,000 Ascendus loan, Ernie secured his food truck financing and opened Jamaica Mi Hungry – bringing Homemade Jamaican cooking to Boston. Ernie’s Ascendus loans gave him the foundation for what has now become a Jamaican restaurant chain in Boston and has expanded from one food truck to three restaurants. Ernie said of the loans he recieved from Ascendus, “I started off with a food truck. Now I have two restaurants and another on the way. All because Ascendus gave me that first loan.” In 2021, Ernie reached out to Ascendus again to help with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He needed capital to cover bills, a damaged water system, rent, and payroll. Through a $50,000 loan from Ascendus, Ernie kept the doors of his restaurants and his food truck open. Since receiving his second loan, Ernie has taken advantage of the services Ascendus has to offer by working with our loan consultants monthly to receive technical assistance and financial guidance on running a small business. Ernie also gives back to the community by providing jobs and internship opportunities. Ernie works as a mentor, providing countless growth and training sessions to his staff. With his guidance they can also become leaders in their community.

Photo credit: Ascendus and Michael Mendonca Photography