#United States #Capital Markets #Chicago #Dream Exchange #Joe Cecala

Webinar Announcement: Breaking the Cycle of Structural Oppression in Capital Markets

On November 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM Central Time, Joe Cecala, the CEO and Founder of Dream Exchange, will be hosting a crucial follow-up webinar to discuss the organization's compelling report titled "Breaking the Cycle of Structural Oppression in Capital Markets". This session is designed to build on the insights shared during the previous webinar, which saw strong participation and engagement from various stakeholders.

Key Themes of the Webinar

The primary focus of this upcoming session will be to delve deeper into the findings outlined in the report, particularly how structural barriers within capital markets directly impact entrepreneurs, investors, and local communities. Joe Cecala emphasizes the necessity of understanding these impediments and urges stakeholders to take actionable steps towards fostering a more inclusive capital market environment. We breakdown vital points that attendees will learn in the webinar:

• - Diminished Public Listings: The report highlights a sharp decline in U.S. public companies, noting that only around 4,000 remain as of 2024—a 50% drop from its peak in 1996. This concerning trend limits household investment opportunities and reduces the diversity of companies from which investors can choose.

• - Barriers Facing Small Businesses: Small enterprises account for a staggering 43.5% of the U.S. economy and generate two-thirds of all new jobs. However, they encounter significant obstacles in securing vital growth capital. Addressing these issues is not just beneficial but necessary to unleash the full economic potential of this critical sector.

• - The Cost of Bias: The webinar will highlight the research revealing systemic biases in lending and venture capital investment. For instance, women-owned startups typically receive 39% less in loans, despite yielding 15% higher returns on investment. This inequity not only stifles innovation but leads to a colossal misallocation of resources with profound economic ramifications.

Practical Next Steps

Through this interactive session, participants will explore practical solutions aimed at enhancing participation in capital markets. Joe Cecala is dedicated to equipping business, regulatory, and civic leaders with actionable strategies to support growth and diversity in these markets.

Joe stated, "Our first webinar drew an enthusiastic response, prompting us to organize this follow-up to further discuss our findings and engage with stakeholders looking to make a difference in capital market accessibility."

About Dream Exchange

Dream Exchange is pioneering efforts to file a Form 1 application with the Securities and Exchange Commission aiming for registration as a national securities exchange. Should this endeavor receive approval, it will become the first minority-controlled licensed stock exchange in U.S. history. Furthermore, Dream Exchange advocates for a venture exchange model tailored for small, early-stage companies often sidelined by traditional public markets.

For further details or to register for the webinar, please visit Dream Exchange's official website.

Media Contact

For press inquiries, please reach out to Robert Todd, PR Manager at Dream Exchange, through the following contact:

• - Phone: 773-914-1182
• - Email: [protected]

This forthcoming webinar is an important opportunity for anyone invested in creating more equitable access to capital markets, and we encourage interested individuals and organizations to register and participate actively.