Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Black entrepreneurs faced significant challenges in launching and growing their businesses. Discrimination, unequal access to capital, and a lack of mentors in the community continually create obstacles for Black-owned start-ups and small companies, even beyond those faced by any other emerging business. Additional burdens related to the pandemic, such as government mandates and revenue losses due to shutdowns, put even more strain on these enterprising companies.
“Black entrepreneurs face unique challenges due to systemic racism, such as lack of generational wealth and access to capital, and lack of mentorship. COVID-19 reinforced these inequities, and Black-owned businesses were disproportionately denied COVID-19 financial assistance from government programs,” said Jennifer Nelson, chief executive officer of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP), a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services to low-income and other underserved populations.
To help Black business owners navigate challenges and position themselves to thrive during the outbreak, SDVLP teamed up with the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce to co-host webinars on a range of business and legal issues in November 2020. Former Mintz attorney Paul Brockland and attorney Monique Macek, with former Mintz patent agent Julia Kottmeier, worked behind the scenes to help organize the events, which featured presentations by Mintz attorneys on a broad spectrum of...
A Sheffield councillor who came under fire for allegedly sharing a video promoting stem cell treatment for autism says the claims are "false". It is understood that Mustafa Ahmed, Green Councillor...