Beyond Juneteenth: Breaking the Chains to Access Capital and Achieve Real Freedom
Vercie Lark, left, Region 7 Great Plains Administrator and Ted James, right, Region 6 South Central Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration By Vercie Lark and Ted James Being black and walking away from a person who legally owned you became reality on June 17, 1865, when Texas became the last state to implement the Emancipation Proclamation. The day, now known as Juneteenth, has become one of celebration for black Americans. It was a start. As black Americans, however, we continually must ask the question: “Are we truly emancipated?” While important to celebrate a
Black-Owned Businesses Thriving Despite Early Pandemic Lows: Here’s Why
Black Information Network Despite being hit the hardest at the beginning of the pandemic, Black-owned businesses are making a significant comeback. Reports say the number of Black small-business owners is up 28 percent compared to before the pandemic. Black people are making greater gains in business than any other demographic — the number of Latino business owners increased by 19 percent and white and Asian-owned businesses saw a 5 percent increase. U.S. News reports that 1.2 million African Americans are self-employed in 2022 compared to 1.1 million in February 2020. Erica Groshen, a university
Financial Literacy Meets Technology
In the age of technology, users are used to gaining assistance at the click of a button. Apps are ever-evolving and provide the ability to access information in an instant. Merging money management with technology, developers are building apps to provide financial assistance without the hassle of in-person meetings. Access to financial assistance is a major stumbling block for African Americans. With implicit biases in banking and barriers created by systemic racism and discrimination, the ability to receive financial assistance and opportunities dwindles for Black consumers. However, African
Diary of a Serial Entrepreneur: Five things I’ve learned
Yimaj “Steve” Kalifa has mastered the art of reinvention – and, he has been so successful at it, that executives from major corporations and federal agencies now seek him out for advice. Often life has chapters, he likes to say, but sometimes you have to write whole new books to succeed. Growing up near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kalifa’s first reinvention was realizing the power of context and environment. He had to near the center of the global economy, where his outsider status would let him see new opportunities that U.S. natives and industry veterans might overlook. So,
Workplace reopening? Put employee safety first
Of all the milestones in our nation’s COVID-19 recovery, workplaces reopening is one of the biggest. As millions of people start returning to offices, classrooms and more, the hope of progress is tempered by concerns for safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. How can employers help make that happen? The key is planning ahead, says Christopher Gill, vice president of EnviroPro Solutions. “Having enough supplies, the right equipment and clear information—all of these are important. They do more than just keep the workplace safe and sanitized.
SBA Launches Largest Expansion of Women’s Business Centers in 30 Years
Washington, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced grant funding and the historic launch of 20 new Women’s Business Centers (WBC) across America to serve rural, urban, and underserved communities alike. The opening of the 20 new WBCs is the largest single expansion of WBCs across America in its 30-year tenure, and these centers will be pivotal to the success of women-owned businesses as they continue to recover during this time. The WBCs will be hosted in rural and underserved markets
African Americans making power moves in corporate world
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer Andrea Stanford was already going places, even before The Advanced Leadership Initiative’s “Executive Leadership Academy” came to fruition in 2018. The Westchester County, N.Y., native, who came to Pittsburgh and graduated from the university that bears the city’s name, has been lauded for her professional and community service efforts in the 13 years she’s been in the Steel City. In recent years, she progressed from a Digital Experience Product Manager at PNC to Assistant County Manager for Allegheny County. Then came word of a new
LLC v. Federal Trademark
By Kyona McGhee In a day and age where genius ideas, heart-tugging art, and groundbreaking business concepts are flooding our timelines every second of the day, it is more important than ever for creatives, and entrepreneurs alike to protect their intellectual property. Unfortunately, most creatives and entrepreneurs don’t realize the importance of protecting their stuff until they’re hit with a cease and desist letter themselves, or a bigger influencer has copied their idea and cashing in on it. Let’s change this now. The most common misconception among young
Digital women empowerment course “The Pink Pill” passes $1 million in sales
Black entrepreneur Christelyn Karazin has launched a digital empire with her online courses developed specifically for the empowerment and advancement of black women. Her series of digital courses, The Pink Pill, has surpassed $1 million in sales revenue less than two years into the launch of her original flagship course. The Pink Pill, The Pink Pill For College and The Pink Pill For Business are comprehensive online courses developed by Christelyn Karazin and a team of advisory experts that leverage digital platforms, providing guidance on how to succeed, whether a woman is
Distribution deals bring Black-owned whiskey brand ‘Guidance’ to store shelves in 5 states
NASHVILLE—Black-owned brands are suddenly in demand, and serial entrepreneur Jason Ridgel is in high spirits after sales of Guidance, a whiskey brand he owns, skyrocketed in recent months. Guidance is making a name for itself as one of the few black-owned premium craft small-batch whiskey brands available for purchase online and in stores in Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia and California. It’s part of a growing black-owned spirits movement. Since launching in 2018, Guidance Whiskey has made its product available for purchase online in 43 states. The company recently inked a