Bruce Marks is CEO of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). He sits down with Jack and Andy (hey, that’s me!) in the Naked Diner.
This is probably the most important podcast episode we’ve ever recorded. I know, we’ve had on big stars like W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America) and Trae Crowder (Liberal Redneck). And while they were great guests who enlightened and entertained, Bruce Marks is the one person you never heard of that you need to hear about.
Here is a bit from NACA’s about page:
The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (“NACA”) is a non-profit, community advocacy and homeownership organization. NACA’s primary goal is to build strong, healthy neighborhoods in urban and rural areas nationwide through affordable homeownership. NACA has made the dream of homeownership a reality for thousands of working people by counseling them honestly and effectively, enabling even those with poor credit to purchase a home or modify their predatory loan with far better terms than those provided even in the prime market.
Bruce Marks has been in the business of confronting banks (NACA coined the term predatory lending) and the CEOs who run those banks. Utilizing direct action tactics, NACA has and is pressuring those who benefit from the misery of those less fortunate to pay up.
NACA runs events across the country where they walk attendees through the process of getting a low interest mortgage. Thousands attend and obtain mortgages regardless of their credit score (you read that correctly). NACA uses its own criteria to issue loans. Unlike banks, NACA’s process is transparent.
Not only is NACA in the business of helping low income and minorities get mortgages, but they are organizing Neighborhood Action Committees:
As NACA’s ranks continues to grow, NACA organizes its membership at the community level to address not only those broader issues affecting economic justice but also state and local issues that affect our Members and their neighborhoods. As part of this effort, NACA is spear-heading the formation of Neighborhood Action Committees (“NACs”)where Members participate in their local community group to:
- Participate in their neighborhood by volunteering their time and skills (as indicated by Members when they signed up with NACA)
- Coordinate state and national campaigns involving ballot initiatives and legislation
- Register their friends, family and neighbors to vote
- Lead the way in addressing local and national issues that affect the community
NACA believes that applying for a mortgage or even purchasing a home is just the first step in the process to community formation and neighborhood stabilization. We ask all NACA Members to commit to participating in their community.
You can see the genius of the structure. People get loans via with NACA’s help. These people are grateful and get involved politically in their community. It’s a positive feedback loop of economic opportunities and social justice.
Enjoy the episode!
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