LOS ANGELES, January 28, 2025 – Lendistry, a leading minority-led fintech, has named Los Angeles Sparks forward-center Azurá Stevens as its first-ever brand ambassador. This partnership reinforces Lendistry’s commitment to supporting small businesses, particularly in underserved communities, while strengthening its relationship with the LA Sparks, for whom it became the Official Small Business Lender in 2024.
Selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Stevens immediately made an impact in her rookie season, earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. In 2020, she was traded to the Chicago Sky, where she played a crucial role in the team’s 2021 WNBA Championship run, adding her name to the league’s elite list of champions.
In 2023, Stevens signed with the Los Angeles Sparks, bringing veteran experience and leadership to the roster. Her ability to stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and contribute on both ends of the court has made her a valuable asset throughout her WNBA career.Stevens, recognized for her dedication to community engagement, earned the 2024 WNBA Cares Season-long Community Assist Award after participating in events that impacted over 2,000 children.
Her connection to small business runs deep, as her father owns Same O Dame O’s, a North Carolina-based food truck specializing in Southern seafood dishes. Stevens continues to make her mark in the sports world, recently winning silver with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup and competing in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league with Team Rose.
As Lendistry’s ambassador, Stevens will help promote the lender’s small business financing solutions, aiming to raise awareness among entrepreneurs about available resources. Her role will emphasize the shared resilience and determination between athletes and small business owners, reinforcing Lendistry’s mission of driving economic growth and opportunity.
B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a mission-driven fintech dedicated to bridging the capital gap for small businesses. Headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry has deployed over $10 billion in funding, leveraging technology and community partnerships to address systemic financial barriers. In 2024, CEO Everett K. Sands was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® Greater Los Angeles award winner. A certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Lending Company (SBLC), Lendistry is the only African American-led SBA Preferred Lender in the nation. Through its nonprofit arm, The Center by Lendistry, the organization also provides business education and economic opportunities to underserved communities.