Coalition to Back Black Businesses Awards $1.6 Million in Grants to More Than 300 Black Small Business Owners Nationwide

The Coalition to Back Black Business (CBBB) announced it has awarded $5,000 grants to 324 Black small business owners representing 40 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, delivering on its mission to advance the long-term success and resilience of America’s Black-owned small businesses.

The CBBB is a multi-year initiative founded in 2020 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation with a $10 million commitment from American Express to support Black small business owners and the communities they serve as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a path forward. The initiative is led in partnership with four national Black business organizations: the National Black Chamber of Commerce; the National Business League; the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.; and Walker’s Legacy.

“Strong small businesses make strong communities, and we’re proud of the CBBB’s impact in helping them create jobs and opportunities,” said Carolyn Cawley, president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “By combining grants, mentorship and long-term resources, CBBB is helping small business owners create distinction from competitors, better meet customer demand, and stay current on business necessities such as rent, utilities, and payroll. We’re honored to be able to support their growth and resilience, now and in the long-term.”

How CBBB Grantmaking Helps 

When asked how the $5,000 grant helped their businesses, this round of recipients shared that:

• 56% used the funds to invest in new marketing and advertising – at a time when 63% report an increase in competition
• 45% expanded or replaced inventory
• 40% paid rent, and another 40% paid utilities and other bills
• 37% directed it to payroll
• 16% repaid debts or loans
• 9% bought personal protective equipment

Seventy percent of this round of grantees have fewer than five employees and 72% have been in business for less than five years, highlighting how CBBB is supporting businesses during their most critical time – the start-up and early-growth phases. Seventy percent of the grantees are women.

CBBB grantee Yvonne Elosiebo is the founder of Bossing Up, Inc., an online wholesale marketplace connecting retailers to products made by Black business owners and entrepreneurs. “We had a 2022 goal of getting business coaching to help scale for future growth. The $5,000 helped us start to build the online automation and tracking system we need, plus I am really excited about the mentoring resources that come with the grant. Those are helping me prepare to present the business to potential investors.”

As in previous years, this group of 324 Black-owned small businesses are eligible to apply for $25,000 enhancement grants, which will be provided in Summer 2023. Enhancement grants have been used by past recipients to improve online presence, purchase new equipment, and expand to a new location. New this year, 150 additional Black business owners will receive coaching through CBBB partner, ZenBusiness, to help grow their businesses.

Trends in CBBB Grantmaking 

To date, the CBBB has awarded more than $8.1 million in grant dollars to 1,414 Black small business owners. Collectively, 65% of those are woman-owned.

Trends in recent years’ top challenges for Black-owned small businesses spotlight the importance of CBBB grant-making. In 2021, grantees reported that “reduced consumer traffic” was the top challenge affecting their business – a lingering pandemic effect – while today’s grantees note “access to capital” as the leading concern. This signals a return to historical challenges Black-owned businesses have faced outside of crises such as the pandemic, and highlights there may be more disruptions on the horizon as pandemic-era government assistance (e.g., PPP loans) ramps down.

To learn more about the Coalition to Back Black Businesses and its impact on the Black small business community, read our impact report here.