Unleashing Baltimore's Black-Owned Businesses with SMBA&D and USBC
Baltimore Collaborates with US Black Chambers to Bolster Entrepreneurship among Small Enterprises
The Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) of Baltimore has joined forces with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) to turbocharge support for local Black-owned businesses. This new alliance is all about opening up pathways for these enterprises, such as small, minority, and women-owned businesses, to tap into certification programs, contracting opportunities, and business development resources across Baltimore.
With a whopping 102,000 Black-owned businesses in Maryland, this partnership is set to bring a significant boost to the entrepreneurial spirits in the region.
Partnering with a Powerhouse: SMBA&D and USBC Unite
The USBC is known for sustaining a network of African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations by supplying them with essential resources and initiatives. This connection continues to empower Black American business owners, here in Baltimore.
In a recent press release, Deputy Director Stephen Campbell of SMBA&D, stated, "Expanding our partner network is the key to success for Baltimore businesses. This partnership with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. piles on more resources for our business community."
Empowering Black-Owned Businesses through Training and Certification
SMBA&D has an impressive history of aiding small businesses, with 135 annual webinars organized in collaboration with Truist Bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Moving forward, the USBC-led educational sessions will be added to this roster, and the ByBlack Certification Program will take center stage.
The alliance kicked off on June 26th, with a virtual webinar titled "Certification Gold Rush: ByBlack and Baltimore City." Alicea Gay and Deputy Director Stephen Campbell co-hosted this session, guiding participants on unlocking Baltimore City contracts, and delving into the certification process through the ByBlackCertification Program.
The new partnership between SMBA&D and USBC aims to bring more resources for Baltimore's Black-owned businesses by broadening access to certification programs, contracting opportunities, and business development resources. The alliance seeks to elevate the recognition and opportunities for these enterprises by integrating the USBC’s educational sessions with SMBA&D’s existing programs, while promoting the ByBlack Certification Program. This partnership strives to support and empower Baltimore's Black entrepreneurs, who continue to face systemic barriers within the business world.
