What is the People of Color Small Business Network (POC SBN)?
The People of Color Small Business Network is a 2021 pilot program created in partnership between The Alliance for Community Development, The Greenlining Institute, and Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative.
This program will provide one-on-one business support at no cost to business owners who meet the following criteria:
Legacy business owners (those who have been in operation for more than five years) who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for additional in-depth business advising.
Participating business owners will be provided with one-on-one support for up to a year to bolster their current offerings and address any resource gaps they may be experiencing. This could include marketing support, technical assistance with funding applications, introductions to people and organizations, support with research, and more. This pilot also provides grant funding to selected businesses who participate.
- Black, Latino/a/x, immigrant and undocumented business owners in East Oakland
- Reside or operate a business in the zip codes of 94601, 94603, 94605, and 94621
- Have had at least one sale
- Brick-and-mortar OR home-based businesses
- Can commit to a year-long program with regular check-ins
Legacy business owners (those who have been in operation for more than five years) who meet the above criteria may also be eligible for additional in-depth business advising.
Participating business owners will be provided with one-on-one support for up to a year to bolster their current offerings and address any resource gaps they may be experiencing. This could include marketing support, technical assistance with funding applications, introductions to people and organizations, support with research, and more. This pilot also provides grant funding to selected businesses who participate.
The POC Small Business Network Pilot is currently at capacity. For free business services from the Alliance through our Navigation program, fill out our interest form here.
Thank you to our funders: