Capital Access Project (CAP) is a non-profit organization created to promote the growth, expansion, and economic prosperity of traditionally under-served small, disadvantaged, minority-, and women-owned firms (hereinafter referred to as “DBE firms”) and microenterprise development organizations that serve DBE firms.
CAP was founded on October 5, 2001 as a Louisiana Corporation by Norman David Roussell. CAP received its designation as a non-profit corporation under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code on August 2, 2002.
Mr. Roussell is CAP’s Executive Director and he oversees day-to-day operations along with a staff of four (4) full-time employees. CAP also employs a core group of consultants to assist in the delivery of CAP’s programs and services. The overall management of CAP is under the direction of its board of directors.
Our Mission
Capital Access Project is dedicated to supporting the creation of competitively viable small, disadvantaged, minority-, and women-owned firms through business development assistance by identifying, qualifying, and matching those firms with public and private sector capital and resources to start or expand their businesses, create jobs, and create an economic impact that would otherwise not exist without our efforts.
Our Corporate Values
Capital Access Project is committed to acting honestly and ethically in all our transactions and dealings. We are committed to treating our employees and clients fairly and respectfully. We are dedicated to acting responsibly in the communities in which we work. We will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all parties involved.
Our Certifications
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Certified Intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration
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Certified Technical Assistance Provider for the U.S. Small Business Administration
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Certified Adult Financial Literacy Trainers for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Our Memberships
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Association for Enterprise Opportunity
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National Low-Income Housing Coalition
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National Community Reinvestment Coalition
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Collaborative for Enterprise Development
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New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
Our Team
Adonis C. Exposé, MPA- Executive Director
Adonis C. Exposé holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Public Administration from Southern University at Baton Rouge. Mr. Exposé is the former Director of Communications for the Housing Authority of New Orleans and he has over ten years of management experience as a consultant serving emerging growth firms. In addition to his education and experience, Mr. Exposé is a Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Debbie Weary, CBCC- Contractor’s College Program Manager
Debbie A. Weary began as one of CAP’s first clients in 2002. Ms. Weary worked with CAP to open her men’s clothing store, Debonair Clothier, in 2003. After her store was destroyed by hurricane Katrina in 2005, Ms. Weary came to work for Capital as an administrative assistant. Ms. Weary used her business and interpersonal skills to quickly become the Program Manager for Contractor’s College. Since joining CAP, Ms. Weary has earned the professional designation of Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Dionne T. Peters, CBCC- Credit Project Program Manager
Dionne T. Peters is a graduate of Delgado Community College where she received an Associate’s degree in Commercial Art. In addition to her creative contributions to CAP’s team, Ms. Peters also has over fifteen years experience in corporate banking and she is a Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Norman David Roussell, Founder
CAP was founded by Norman David Roussell in 2001. Mr. Roussell left the organization in 2011 to take the position of Director of Supplier Diversity for the City of New Orleans. Holds a BBA in Finance from Howard Unversity and a MBA from Loyola Unversity at New Orleans. Mr. Roussell is also seeking to earn the Certified Economic Developer Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. Mr. Roussell is currently working as the Director of the Office of Supplier Diversity for the City of New Orleans.
Why is there a Need for the Capital Access Project?
A study by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors examining the credit market experiences of small business owners revealed that over a three year period, majority-owned firms were approved for loans 73.96% of the time, while only 56% of DBE firms were approved (all things being equal). The credit market access gap, by demographic group is illustrated below:
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Within the past three years, majority-owned firms that applied for loans had a 74% approval rate versus 49% for miniority-owned firms.
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On their most recent small business loan application, 84% of majority-owned firms were approved versus 62% of minority-owned firms.
Though minority-owned firms are growing six times the rate of all U.S. firms**, and their sales are growing more than twice the rate of all U.S. firms**, they remain severly constrained by a lack of access to capital.
The solution to bridging the credit market access gap is to provide small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned firms with the management, technical and financial assistance necessary to help them overcome traditional barriers to small business loan approvals (personal/business credit ratings, lack of adequate collateral, lack of a viable business plan, etc.).
Capital Access Project does its part to solve the systemic, social and economic issues that prevent entrepreneurs from becoming successful through our dedication to our mission and vision, and through our programs and services.
*(K. Cavalluzo, L. Cavalluzo and J. Wolken, "Competition, Small Business Financing and Dsicrimination: Evidence from a New Survey," 02/99)
**(G. Yago and A. Pankrantz, "Democratizing Capital for Emerging Domestic Markets," U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency- Milken Institute, 09/00)
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