DCABPI Grants Help BIPOC-Owned Small Businesses In Durham
DURHAM, NC – Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, Inc. (DCABPI) recently provided grant support for twenty (20) businesses owned and operated by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (aka, BIPOC) located in East Durham and Fayetteville Street Corridor needing supplemental working capital or that have experienced a significant economic loss due to COVID-19. Through DCABPI’s Community Revitalization Grant Program (CRGP), minority-owned businesses were awarded microgrants along with support services to help their business.
DCABPI selected the twenty small businesses and distributed $1,000 grant awards to each business during CRGP Round 1 & Round 2 to help them grow and conquer obstacles due to lack of capital. CRGP Award Ceremonies were held in December 2022 at Hayti Heritage Center and in March 2023 at ABC Center in East Durham. DCABPI also utilized seven BIPOC vendors for services needed for the program and awards ceremonies such as promotion, catering, photography, and video production. The list of CRGP Award Recipients can be found at www.dcabpinc.org.
DCABPI received 75 applicants for CRGP funding during the two rounds. BIPOC-owned businesses selected for a CRGP award can use the funds to sustain operations, improve services, and/or make strategic investments. Each grant recipient also receives Digital Solution Training (courtesy of Microsoft), a Video Profile (courtesy of Socialotus), and a Business e-Card (courtesy of TAA Digital) to enhance and promote their business. In addition, the businesses are featured on DCABPI’s website in the “Celebrating the Legacy – Small Business Spotlight” section.
To launch the initiative, DCABPI received a Hometown Revitalization Grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support vibrant downtowns across North Carolina. DCABPI project partners include Duke Energy Foundation, Microsoft, M&F Bank, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, The City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, and North Carolina Central University.
The primary goal of the project is to invest in the growth and development of BIPOC entrepreneurs and the BIPOC business ecosystem.
The 20 businesses awarded grants and complimentary support by DCABPI through CRGP (Round 2) included:
East Durham
4 Gems of Distinction
Jumas Food Mart
Merrick-Moore Community Development Corp.
Onyx Sun Farms LLC
Fayetteville Street Corridor
COXARTXPERIENCE Health & Beauty Institute
When asked what she liked most about the CRGP initiative, MyiShanka McMillian, owner of Purpose Learning Lab located on the Fayetteville Street Corridor stated, “I loved a number of things about the program. I absolutely loved the ease of the application process, and the opportunity to be included in the process to improve our area which is often overlooked. I was given an opportunity to explain my program to the audience during the check presentation ceremony. I was also introduced to other businesses in our area, given the networking opportunity, and surrounded by people who look like me. CRGP is awesome!”
McMillian added, “After receiving the grant award, I tried my best to complete the form for each service CRGP made available to us to include the digital training & assessment, video profile, and business e-Card. The economy is moving digital, and since some businesses are new, they might not have the plan or expertise to understand the importance so CRGP taking time to see what stage businesses are currently in is really cool”.
Darius Russell, owner of Russell’s Pharmacy and Shoppe located in East Durham stated, “The application was easy to complete, and there was a quick turnaround time between an application submission, selection of the businesses that were awarded grants, and check distribution. The CRGP team was very helpful throughout the process, and we appreciate the added services delivered to us along with grant funding provided to our business.”
Frederick Ravin, Chairman at DCABPI noted, “It is our hope that access to this grant funding will allow more BIPOC businesses to boost their growth and longevity, along with spurring further interest by these valued businesses in our communities to seek other grants and resources (local, state, federal) currently available in the U.S.”
FREDERICK RAVIN (DCABP Inc.): Championing Social Justice & Racial Equity
Larry Borders, Chairman of the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce added, “Local BIPOC business owners have communicated an ongoing need for working capital, in particular available grant funding. In many cases, these resourceful entrepreneurs do not have adequate working capital to pay for expenses preventing their businesses from scaling their impact. They are also deterred from applying for capital loans or reimbursable funding all together”.
DCABPI plans to secure additional funding from sponsors to continue the beneficial community program. Further details about CRGP are available on the DCABPI website (www.dcabpinc.org).
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Minority firm has been in business 24 years