MBN USA

January 03, 2022

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Chamber helps Black businesses stabilize, sustain and grow

Despite the devastation of the global pandemic, USBC and USBC Community Economic Development Corporation (USBC-CEDC) is proud to remain strong and humble in our mission to uplift, advocate and support Black-owned businesses. In 2021, we have had the privilege of sharing resources, information and funding to Black businesses in a variety of ways that help them to stabilize, sustain and grow.

     143 webinars and virtual trainings hosted in 2021 across an array of topics and dedicated industries

• 21,000-plus businesses served/participating registrants and attendees

• 30-plus new corporate partners

• 2 virtual matchmaking programs

• Founding partners of six grant programs in partnership with Comcast RISE, Truist, Visa, Wells Fargo, BP and American Express

• 4 newly established Black Chamber of Commerce members

• 1.6K new followers on social media channels

Your financial support is critical to the expansion of this work. The pandemic does not seem to be slowing down, with new variants changing the economic landscape to the detriment of small businesses. We need your help to enable us to provide funding - grants, loans, etc. - training and resources to take firms to the next level.

Launched ByBlack.us Platform

In September 2021, USBC launched ByBlack Platform, an extensive national business directory and the only national certification exclusively for Black-owned businesses at no-cost presented by American Express Co. 

• 27,000-plus Black-owned businesses listed in directory

• Over 5,000 certification applications received

• 300-plus Black businesses certified

Register now for upcoming ByBlack webinar on 1/19/2022 at 5 p.m. EST.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks to Black Chambers of Commerce

In February 2021, the USBC held a virtual roundtable with Black Chambers of Commerce, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to discuss the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan.



Historic amendment to infrastructure bill championed USBC passed and paves way for Black business owners

The legislation will deliver $550 billion of new federal investments in America's infrastructure over five years, including money for roads, bridges, mass transit, rail, airports, ports and waterways.

The package includes a $65 billion investment in improving the nation's broadband infrastructure and invests tens of billions of dollars in improving the electric grid and water systems. Another $7.5 billion would go to building a nationwide network of plug-in electric vehicle chargers, according to the bill.

SBA announces USBC as award recipients

Navigator Pilot Program

• U.S. Small Business Administration Isabella Casillas Guzman and Biden-Harris Administration announce USBC as a Tier I Community Navigator Pilot Program Grantee of $5 million. Learn more.

• USBC awarded new Women’s Business Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Learn more.

• USBC partnered with the SBA Administrator Guzman to spread the word about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

2021 ByBlack Conference

The 2021 ByBlack Conference called a "success" by sponsors, both in person and web attendees, and especially by the Black businesses who made connections that have led to new contracts.

The three days with #ByBlackConference, hosted in partnership by USBC and NABOB and presented by American Express, lifted spirits, deepened relationships and grew Black-owned businesses for the nearly 2,000 attendees across both venues— live at the MGM National Harbor and virtually on Accelevents.

Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic: Improving Vaccine Confidence in Communities of Color Conversation

In collaboration with Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), we hosted a candid conversation about COVID-19, dispelling the myths of the vaccine and discussing its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown Americans and our communities. This program was sponsored by Uber and Lyft, who also teamed up to provide over 10,000 FREE Roundtrip Rides to get vaccinated across the nation. 

REDEEM LYFT CODE "GIFTFORTWO" TODAY!

Learn more

Watch now

2021 Black History Month Program: A historical profile of Black excellence from Black Wall Street through the COVID-19 Pandemic

In partnership with Wells Fargo, T-Mobile and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) presented a Black History Month virtual event highlighting the bridges USBC is building across the nation to increase access to capital to Black businesses. This event features a host of dynamic speakers and provides a look back at Black history and celebrates the accomplishments of businesses, large and small, highlighting Black business economic growth from Tulsa Black Wall Street to meeting the challenges of sustaining a business in a pandemic. 

Watch now

2021 Juneteenth celebration

Sponsored by Verizon, our annual Juneteenth Celebration recognized its significance in today's battle for equality and social justice! This free virtual live-stream event, sponsored by Verizon and hosted by Zakiya Larry and USBC President, Ron Busby Sr., featured Charles O’Neal, USBC board chair, our President's Circle members, Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of On Juneteenth, spoken word poet Voice Porter and musical performers Howard Hewitt and Wayne Linseyand other special guests.

Watch now

Partner program highlights

Coalition to Back Black Businesses, founding partner

Through the Coalition, American Express, ADP, AIG Foundation, Altice USA, Dow, S&P Global Foundation, Shopify, Stanley Black and Decker, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, National Business League, U.S. Black Chambers, Walker’s Legacy and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will work together over the next four years to provide over $14 million in grants, training and resources to empower Black-owned small businesses in distressed communities that have long been struggling with economic growth.

Amazon Black Business Accelerator

Amazon.com Inc. launched the Black Business Accelerator (BBA) to help build sustainable equity and growth for Black-owned businesses by explicitly targeting barriers to access, opportunity, and advancement created by systemic racism across America. BBA provides financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support to help Black business owners and entrepreneurs succeed as sellers in Amazon’s store. For more information on BBA, visit sell.amazon.com/BBA.

Grow with Google

Helping small businesses grow is critical to economic growth and revitalization in our communities and Google is here to help. In its dedicated webinar series hosted by USBC & Sterling McKinley, we provided video content developed specially to meet the challenges and changing needs of businesses. Not only will these tools help you navigate through the pandemic, but they will also help you identify ways to drive more future revenue. The on-demand videos are available for you to use on your own anytime or you can take part in our sessions to get you started

Backing Black Business-Small Business Grant Program

Reimagine Main Street in partnership with Black Girl Ventures, USBC and Walkers Legacy with financial support from Facebook/Meta launched Backing Black Business, a new program to provide cash grants and other resources to Black women entrepreneurs.

The program will provide cash grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to more than 200 Black women entrepreneurs who either started their businesses during the pandemic or who successfully navigated their businesses through the pandemic.

Advancing Black Entrepreneurs

In partnership with Chase for Business, Black Enterprise, the National Urban League, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, we launched Advancing Black Entrepreneurs – a collection of practical resources to help Black business owners grow and scale their business. This Educational program specifically for Black business owners highlights topics that are vital to business growth and sustainability. These 90-minute guided digital sessions are focused on how business owners can address immediate and long-term financial needs to build resiliency.

Google's Black-Owned Friday

We partnered with Google again last year in celebrating Black-owned Friday — reimagining Black Friday as a day to celebrate Black-owned businesses. Join us by spreading the word on your social channels — highlight your business with the #BlackOwnedFriday hashtag and encourage everyone to search, shop and support Black-owned this holiday season and throughout the year.