MINA was founded by Belkis Shindell, whose journey began over fifteen years ago while working in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for SNV Group of Funds. During her time there, she collaborated with a wide range of investors and borrowers, primarily focusing on promoting the growth of individuals living in poverty. Belkis quickly recognized that many potential borrowers in these underserved communities had little chance of receiving funding through traditional methods. Those willing to lend often did so at exploitative interest rates and terms, leaving borrowers at high risk of losing their collateral.

Upon moving to the United States, Belkis observed a similar need for financial support among immigrant communities. Inspired by her experiences, she assembled a trusted team of professionals to form the foundation of Minorities Allied Lenders. Her vision was clear: to create a micro-lending organization dedicated to offering fair, accessible financial services to underserved populations. Early on, Belkis invited her former co-worker, Josefina Gomez, to join MINA and contribute to its mission. Josefina later left to pursue her career at a local financial institution, but her departure paved the way for other former colleagues and friends to join the organization. Their shared belief in MINA’s transformative vision fueled the growth of this initiative, turning it into a collaborative effort.

While working for a Philadelphia-based micro-lender, Belkis encountered several issues, including inconsistencies, discrimination, and injustice within the organization. These problems were particularly evident in how low-income entrepreneurs were treated during the credit committee process, which clashed with the company’s mission of offering financial solutions for economic and social development. This experience solidified her resolve to build a better system—one that genuinely serves the needs of emerging entrepreneurs.

Many of the organization’s clients face challenges such as language barriers and a lack of familiarity with the U.S. financial system. Often, they have been denied loans by traditional banks and are hesitant to seek further help. MINA was established to bridge that gap, providing fair and supportive financial solutions that empower these individuals to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.