Event Highlights
On Thursday, a vibrant array of black-owned food businesses came together to share their culinary creations with the community. The event featured a variety of booths offering free samples, from refreshing juices to vegan dishes and delectable desserts. This showcase is part of the Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, designed to support and elevate black entrepreneurs in the food industry.
Program Impact
The Black Restaurant Accelerator Program has been instrumental in helping numerous black-owned businesses thrive by providing essential tools and resources for long-term success.
Christian Baker, founder of Soul Food Fusion Feast, joined the program with aspirations of expanding into catering. She expressed how the program has transformed her approach to business. “I didn’t know anything about marketing or branding my business; I didn’t know anything about digital marketing and social media, networking, so I learned a lot,” Baker said. The knowledge gained has empowered her to take on new events and clients, broadening her business’s reach.
Beneficiaries’ Insights
Matthew Featherstone, owner of Hiatus, also highlighted the benefits of the program. “Very rewarding for my business as well as meeting other businesses and being able to pour into them and they pour into me,” Featherstone remarked. The program has not only enhanced his marketing strategies but also facilitated valuable networking opportunities.
Financial Support
Beyond business strategies, the program offers significant financial assistance. Tershea Rice, COO of the Greater Baltimore Urban League, shared that the initiative provides $10,000 scholarships to ten businesses, aiding in capital development. “We are providing ten businesses with ten thousand dollars in scholarships to help them build capital in their businesses,” Rice explained.
For small business owners like Baker, this financial support is crucial. “It’s amazing support because it will get the business off the ground and help me move in the right direction,” she said. The combined mentorship and funding address the common challenges of being “over-mentored and underfunded,” a sentiment echoed by many in the program.
Ongoing Support
The Greater Baltimore Urban League’s Black Restaurant Accelerator Program doesn’t just end with the completion of the program. Participants continue to receive guidance and support as they advance their businesses.
Since its inception, the program has allocated nearly $300,000 to 32 black-owned food-service businesses, significantly contributing to their growth and sustainability.
This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering success and providing essential resources for black restaurateurs, helping them thrive in a competitive industry.