The Get Down Coffee Co., owned by Minneapolis entrepreneur Houston White, is partnering with Bell Bank in efforts to help underbanked businesses and individuals – specifically in north Minneapolis’ Camdentown neighborhood, where Houston has developed a coffee company, coffee house and barber shop, among other businesses.

As the “official” bank, mortgage company and financial services firm for The Get Down Coffee Co., Bell Bank will support Houston’s company at a critical stage of scaling the business, with an initial goal of providing employment opportunities and additional neighborhood amenities.

Katie Mattis Sarver, Bell’s community development officer, said the multiyear partnership with The Get Down Coffee Co. comes on the heels of the coffee house’s successful opening in November and fits with the bank’s ongoing commitment to “listen and act” to help build and strengthen the community.

“The Get Down Coffee Co. has already become a destination and a hub in Camdentown,” Katie explains, “just as Houston envisioned. As a bank that is committed to helping people who are underrepresented in their ability to access financial services, Bell Bank will work together with Houston White and The Get Down Coffee Co. to support the growth of jobs and the economy in Camdentown and beyond.”

Houston adds he hopes the partnership will serve as a model for cities across the U.S. when it comes to allocating resources to culturally relevant businesses and entrepreneurs. He observes, “Black culture is American culture. I’m honored to partner with Bell Bank because they understand that when you bring together culture plus capacity, the sky is the limit.”

Current plans in the works include a special business accelerator event during the 2022 3M Open (a pro golf tour event both Bell and Houston White are involved in), and the continued expansion of Bell’s business lending and mortgage programs designed to help historically underserved entrepreneurs and homebuyers.