Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, affected Black businesses will get a helping hand from Shaquille O’Neal.
The NBA legend, outspoken sportscaster and bold business mogul is partnering with American Express on the “Coalition to Back Black Businesses,” a newly-formed grant program intended to assist Black-owned small businesses in their post-COVID recovery.
“Small businesses need our support more than ever now, and Black business owners have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” O’Neal told Business Insider. “American Express asked me to do this, and of course I’m proud to partner with American Express as they’re launching a first-ever “Coalition to Back Black Businesses” grant program. They’re giving $10 million over four years to small businesses, and I think it’s a great program.”
The coalition, which also includes the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., National Business League, National Black Chamber of Commerce and Walker’s Legacy, has launched with a $10 million commitment to fund a grant program over the next four years. A portion of the grant will also fund leadership development and business mentoring.
“It helps owners with funding, and we also got a mentorship program to help them grow their businesses and recover from the effects,” he said. “We’re not only giving money but also guiding them and helping them with what they need to get to the next level.”
Eligible Black small business owners will be considered for a $5,000 grant.
Applications are available at webackblackbusinesses.com with a fast turnaround — the deadline is Sept. 21.
The Coalition will then randomly select 280 “finalist” applicants, who will be notified via email by Sept. 22 to complete a more in-depth application, due Sept. 28.
Special consideration will be given to women-owned businesses, which will make up at least 25% of the awarded grants.
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The only problem I have with is what would the outcry be like if someone started the same thing for the White small business? Just asking tats all…
You know what it would be.. Cries of racism, bigotry. Calls for that star to be boycotted, censured, smacked down etc.. AND ANY business that partook, would get smashed on twitter/farcebook.
Par for the course in today’s twisted racial atmosphere. The Privileged White population is inherently evil and racist, and do not warrant assistance during this B.S. Pandemic. Now, along with all the separate “Black” organizations, we have a Black national anthem and flag. The virus, miraculously , can now differentiate between the White, Black, and Brown population to affect the minorities in greater numbers. It sure does seem the Marxist Communist Left Wingnuts are pushing for a racial civil war.
This is exactly what the privileged sport and hollyweird players need to do with their money instead of stupid protests as symbols or giving get out of jail free cards to criminals.
Trillions have been spent to help make black lives matter since the Civil Rights Bill was passed, and what do we have to show for it? In many cases its stronger, healthier, more prosperous, better educated,,,,,,,criminals, ,,who took the money and used it against the good people of this nation. I’m all for helping people of any color who have the moral authority to handle the power that comes with that help to themselves help and contribute to the loves of others. When you give to people always tell them to pass it on to help others who themselves when success is reached can pass it on to others and the original gift and money creates a life of it’s own that grows and gives life to itself,,,,,,until it is given to those incapable or refuse to sacrifice their immediate pleasures and consume it all until there is no longer life left of the original gift,
The Democrat blank insistence that ALL are worthy who just show up is just a cover story to keep the criminal arms of their populace in clover. Particularly when it comes to education where it only empowers the damaged or criminal minds to become smarter and more proficient in their crimes, if not educated in the moral responsibility that comes with wealth and prosperity. That is why all giving should be targeted and local, with the people of any color unfit in morality discriminated right out of the picture.
IT IS milo. BUT can you imagine how SWIFT the condemnation would be, if a WHITE sports star/actor, did this for WHITE businesses?? There’d be hell to pay.
SO WHY IS IT ok, if a black does it for fellow blacks? Isn’t that the DEFINITION OF RACISM?
shaq has already turned me off of papa johns with his special pizza that had proceeds going to black communities.
I’ve been off papa johns for a while now.. Shaq has NOT made me rethink that stance.