Unlock Your Business's Potential with
Passport to Capital
ASPIRE's 5-Week Lending Certification Program
Are you a business owner with a profitable vision but you're uncertain about how to access the capital needed to grow?
Aspire Community Capital introduces Passport to Capital, a comprehensive certification program designed to demystify the lending process and equip you with the tools and knowledge to confidently secure financing.
Secure Business Loans and Own Your Finances
Why Aspire’s Passport to Capital?
At Aspire Community Capital, we believe in the power of knowledge and relationships. Our Lending Certification Program Workshop is more than just a class—it's a passport to unlocking your business's potential through capital. With our team of experts and a network of partners, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Spaces are limited, and your potential is unlimited. Register now to secure your spot in our upcoming workshop and turn your business aspirations into achievements.
Class Begins May 13, 2024
6 - 7:00 on Mondays
In-Person at our office in Charlotte, NC
Meet our Facilitators:
Common Wealth Charlotte
The mission of Common Wealth Charlotte focuses on being a catalyst for improving lives. They replace uncertainty and reliance on charitable and government assistance with financial capability, equipping Charlotte's economically-vulnerable population with trauma-informed education, certified financial counseling, asset- and wealth-building skills, and access to banking services and 0% interest loans. Being financially capable is the foundation of true upward economic mobility. More importantly, financial capability brings hope—and hope goes a long way to heal trauma.
Tonia Frazier, MSW
Director of Financial Education, Common Wealth Charlotte
Sharai Lavoie
CEO/Managing Member, Lavoie CPA
Marcus Smith
SVP, Commercial Banking Senior Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Bilal Johnson
Small Business Banker and Financial Center Manager of Fifth Third Bank Uptown
Tonia Frazier, MSW
Tonia serves as Director of Financial Education for Common Wealth Charlotte. A graduate of Winthrop University, Tonia joined Common Wealth Charlotte in 2019. She is responsible for delivering CWC’s financial literacy education throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and serves as the primary liaison with nonprofits and other agencies in the Charlotte area, customizing CWC services to meet the specific needs of those organizations and the clients each serves. She also leads CWC’s Financial Health Workplace initiative. Prior to earning her MSW degree, she enjoyed a 20-year career with Bank of America. Tonia is an NACCC® Certified Housing Counselor, and a CFSW® Certified Financial Social Worker.
Sharai Lavoie
I have always had a passion for the entrepreneurial spirit. After earning my bachelor’s degree in accounting and my MBA, I knew I wanted to start and grow my own company and help others do the same.
When I started Lavoie CPA, I knew I wanted it to be different than your typical accounting firm. I wanted my company to focus on building long-lasting relationships and becoming partners with our clients rather than service providers.
At Lavoie, our goal is to be your “go-to” source for accounting management and financial reporting. We tailor our process to make sure we are providing the right technology for our clients to get them where they need to go. We support their startup efforts or next level vision from the beginning and always place an emphasis on the growth their business will experience.
An extension of Lavoie CPA is Lavoie Client Tailored Technologies, LCT2. LCT2 specializes in cloud-based corporate performance management, accounting and financial management software. With our background in accounting and IT, plus our leading reporting software, Lavoie truly stands apart from the competition.
Marcus Smith
As a Commercial Banking Senior Relationship Manager at Bank of America, I leverage my MBA credentials and over twenty seven years of experience in the banking industry to provide customized and comprehensive financial solutions for mid-market businesses in the Charlotte region. My mission is to help my clients achieve their goals and grow their businesses by offering them access to a wide range of products and services, such as commercial credit, financing, loan workouts, treasury management, and capital markets.
I manage a portfolio of private companies with annual revenues of $10 million to $100+ million, and I am responsible for deepening and retaining existing relationships, as well as generating new business opportunities through networking, proactive targeted calling, and referrals from clients and centers of influence. I also represent the bank in the community and collaborate with other teams and partners within the bank to deliver holistic and integrated solutions for my clients. I take pride in being a trusted advisor and partner for my clients, and in contributing to the success of Bank of America and the commercial banking sector.
Bilal Johnson
Bilal Johnson is the Small Business Banker and Financial Center Manager of Fifth Third Bank Uptown as the retail lead for 5/3rd's West Corridor Investment. Bilal is responsible for engaging with new and existing businesses who are looking to emerge within the Corridor. His passion for people and service has lead him to be one of the industry's leaders in Small Business lending in Mecklenburg county.
