About the Program
The Black Women in Retail Program is a groundbreaking initiative presented by the Business Development & Entrepreneurship Center at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio in collaboration with Walmart and the National Urban League. This exclusive program is designed explicitly for visionary African American women entrepreneurs in the retail sector, providing eight (8) dynamic business development training sessions.
Elevate your Black Women-Owned Business with specialized coaching, industry-specific mentoring, and transformative training offered by the esteemed Business Development & Entrepreneurship Center at ULGSO. Seize the opportunity to receive hands-on support in certification, navigating public/private contracting programs, and honing leadership skills, all aimed at propelling your retail venture toward sustained success and scalability.
Our Goals:
- Build the capacity of Black women’s retail businesses in Southwestern Ohio.
- Promote the benefits of certification, increasing the number of certifications among Black women-owned retailers, ultimately enhancing their visibility and marketability.
- Connect Black women-owned retail businesses to supplier inclusion programs.
- Create and save jobs in retail businesses, allowing for the expansion of sole proprietorships to multi-employee firms.
At the heart of this program is a community of sisterhoods that support and encourage one another to pursue business growth and enhance marketability for corporations.
The program is open to ALL black women-owned businesses with consumer products. Certification is not required to attend the Black Women in Retail program.
Why Participate
Through our network of business leaders and industry experts, The Black Women in Retail Program will help you:
- Connect with a community of retail industry experts and business owners.
- Evaluate the sustainability of your business.
- Learn how to grow a retail product.
- Ask questions and get answers from experts and peers through the program.
- Gain new skills and knowledge related to lab marketing, developing, pitching to buyers, and more.
- Learn strategies to sustain your business in times of crisis and to build in recovery.
- Practice skills targeted at alternative strategies for growth.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Friday, March 8, 2024
ORIENTATION DATE
Friday, March 22, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
PROGRAM DATES
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
LOCATION
Virtual
Who is Eligible to Apply
Program Expectations
- Complete the 8-training session of the program and the Leadership Business Development Program trainings
- Complete all tasks assigned to you by your business coach
- Complete all surveys and assessments sent to you for data collection purposes
Program Requirements
Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:
- A for-profit, small business at least 51% owned and operated by Black/African American women (Non-profits are ineligible).
- The business operates in Southwestern Ohio.
- A retail business that sells goods and services to consumers in apparel, health and beauty, consumer packaged goods (foods, beverages, cleaning products, beauty products, etc.), and other goods and services deemed appropriate by BD&E.
- Goods and services offered must be manufactured by the participating business (no pass-through goods and services).
- The business must be in operation for at least one year before January 1, 2023.
How to apply
To apply for the program, eligible businesses should complete the online application:
Program Contact
For questions about the program, please email Vanessa Sanchez, Program Manager, Business Development & Entrepreneurship Center, at [email protected].
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