THE EQUITY ENTREPRENEUR CENTER IS A 501-C3 ORGANIZATION AND IS PROUD TO BE THE SISTER ORGANIZATION OF THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY!
The Equity Entrepreneur Center was created in April of 2021 to address the most pressing obstacles resulting from the Pandemic and the national conversation focused on Racial, Socio-economic and Justice inequalities. The Equity Entrepreneur Center came about through a meeting and conversation with the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor James and City Administration during the pandemic. The discussion focused on the dismal results of submitted or the attempt to submit applications for three (3) funding opportunities made available by the City and Palm Beach County. I was asked if it made sense to create a Technical Assistance Center to help posture small businesses to gain access to capital. My simple response was yes. I was then asked if I would be willing to form a non-profit, 501-c3 organization to address the difficulties small businesses particularly, black and brown small business. My first action was to write a concept white paper to share with key small business stakeholders to gain support.
The United States is currently confronted with a multitude of socio-economic, health, and legal justice challenges.
The Pandemic Crisis, Economic Crisis, Political/Leadership Crisis, Police Brutality/Racism Crisis and Civil Unrest collectively, have contributed numerous challenges to the country but it has added to the numerous barriers faced by black and brown-owned businesses. These challenges have been brought to the forefront by the unequal consequences that populations of color face because of the pandemic and the visceral reactions to cases of police brutality that have received wide-spread attention.
Our country and local communities have suffered with inequalities and injustices since inception with recent events truly highlighting disparities and inequality. These inequalities can be overcome with purposeful actions that include public, private, faith-based, and philanthropic efforts. The Black Chamber of PBC in partnership with the City of WPB, Palm Beach County Black Business Investment Corporation (BBIC), Office Depot, Valley Bank (other Banks with preliminary commitments), Urban League of Palm Beach County (ULPBC) and the Community Foundation of PBC (here by expressed as the Collaborative Partners) are developing strategies to address and provide real solutions to the long-standing economic barriers Black and brown owned Businesses find difficult to overcome.
