Celebrating Black Owned Business
Celebrating Black-Owned Business
by Claire Bridges, Business Coach
In August we have the honor of celebrating Black Owned Businesses. This month-long celebration was first recognized in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. According to an article in the Courier-Journal, “In Louisville, 23.4% of residents are Black, however, only 2.4% of the population own businesses.” Here at the Louisville SBDC, we work to support Black-owned Businesses each and every day. One of my favorite aspects of being a Business Coach at the SBDC is the chance I have to work with other community partners. I would like to highlight some of the community resources available to Black Owned Businesses in Louisville, as well as ways to support Black Owned Businesses during the month of August.
Our partnership with the Louisville Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship launched early last year. We meet to support shared clients, helping them to organize and develop business plans, gain access to funding, and expand their existing businesses. You can support many amazing Black-owned Businesses on August 13th at their Black Business Expo.
Many of my clients have applied and been selected for the Amped Russell Technology Business Incubator program. According to their website, this program is a “state-of-the-art business incubator for Black and Latinx businesses. The services include business development training, business services, assessments, referrals, and wrap-around services.
Earlier this year I joined OneWest as a committee member to select food-based business owners to open in their “Row Houses” You can now dine at Gore’s Smokeout BBQ inside the Houston House (516 A S. 18th Street) or even apply to vend next door in the Porter House! OneWest is dedicated to the commercial revitalization of Louisville’s West End.
A new project is on the horizon for KentuckianaWorks. Historically focused on job seekers in Louisville and surrounding counties, KentuckianaWorks is now launching an entrepreneurship program as well. The coaches at the Small Business Development Center are eager to partner with their clients through trainings such as our “Guide to Entrepreneurship” and 1:1 coaching sessions.
These are some of the many resources available to Black owned Businesses in Louisville. I am grateful that these resources exist as Black-owned Businesses are vital to our community. Remember to support black-owned businesses locally all month (year) long!
If you’d like to reach out to me email claire.bridges@uky.edu or schedule a meeting at www.calendly.com/clairebridges.