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Right now, Black entrepreneurs are facing unique barriers to business success.
At SCORE, we’re working to change that by removing those obstacles and providing Black small business owners with access to personalized support. That’s why we created SCORE for Black Entrepreneurs: to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go.
Black-owned businesses were more likely to seek – but less likely to receive – outside funding.
- The Megaphone Of Main Street: The Impact of Covid-19, Impact on Black-owned Small Businesses
NEW LOANS
- 26.5% of White-owned businesses applied, and 54.2% were approved.
- 47.7% of Black-owned businesses applied, and 22.3% were approved.
DELAYS FOR EXISTING LOAN PAYMENTS
- 19.9% of White-owned businesses applied for delays, and 72.4% were approved.
- 39.8% of Black-owned businesses applied for delays, and 33.6% were approved.
SCORE is Here to Help.
Black small business owners and their communities have faced extraordinary challenges over the years. Now, we have an opportunity to do better. With over 50 years of experience, SCORE is renewing our commitment to being part of the solution. We’re here to close the opportunity gap. We’re here to take action. We’re here to give you the tools to meet and overcome any business challenge so that you can succeed.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses.
Building a small business might seem daunting, but it’s more possible than you think. See how we’ve helped other aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.
“I can’t adequately express how much of a lifeline SCORE has been to us.”
- Rozalynn Goodwin, GaBBY Bows
"Everything that SCORE offered was exactly what I needed to get the business started."
- Charlynda Scales, Mutt's Sauce
“No one should be afraid to do something because they don’t know the answer.”
- Derschaun Sharpley, Helping Individuals Succeed Agency
There’s not enough ink in my pen to write about everything that’s great about my mentor, Mr. Mark Maguire. What makes him an exceptional mentor are the qualities he possesses naturally: his willingness to share his genius, skills, knowledge, and expertise - at a level that’s not condescending or confusing - in a concise manner that makes it easy to understand."
Get Mentoring Support.
What if you could sit down with someone who has been in your shoes? As a SCORE client, it’s as easy as that. We have a diverse group of experienced, volunteer mentors available to answer your questions about starting and growing a small business.
Get Involved.
When you volunteer with SCORE, you change individual lives, support small businesses, and empower entire communities. We’re always looking for people to share their time, skills, and knowledge. No matter your background, we have a perfect role for you.
Become a SCORE volunteerLearn What You Need to Know.
We recently spoke with our clients to fully understand the challenges facing Black small business owners today. Before most Black entrepreneurs even open their doors, they face a range of obstacles, from a lack of capital to difficulty accessing government programs—not to mention encountering bias and racism along the way.
SCORE’s Resource Library includes hundreds of free articles, templates, tools, videos, and checklists to meet any business need. You can sort by entrepreneur type, topic, and business stage to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Get Started
Not sure where to begin? Check out these articles and resources for Black entrepreneurs.
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How Do You Decide?
If you are a business owner or manager, you are faced with a never-ending deluge of decisions every day. Many are relatively routine operational choices that can be resolved or delegated quickly. Others are more strategic with potentially serious and long-lasting consequences. The Library can help and here's why-
Business Manager? Plan to Take Care of Yourself
Business Manager ranks number seven on the list of the top ten most stressful jobs compiled by CNBC. Taking care of your health with regular checkups plus a sensible diet and exercise program is important for you, your family and your business. Think you are fit? Here is a quick way to check.
Prepared For A 100 Year Life? Your Children Should Be.
One of the ongoing challenges of managing a business is to be aware of various trends and the long-term implications they have for your business. One trend that is not very visible is increasing life expectancy. How long are you or your children likely to live? A deeper investigation of the numbers provided in The 100 Year Life by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott shows that since 1840 life expectancy has been increasing three months every year. Read what to expect.
Mutt's Sauce Small Business Journey
While serving in the US Air Force, Charlie “Mutt” Ferrell, Jr. was known for his homemade, all-purpose sauce. Decades later, his granddaughter Charlynda founded Mutt’s Sauce to... Read more
Keys to a Successful Black Owned Business Startup
If you're an entrepreneur with a good idea, join our live webinar to learn how to plan your start-up business and succeed in your industry. Read more
13 Black Business Owners Share Their Secrets To Success
Get tips from Black entrepreneurs on how to succeed in business.
9 Ways To Be An Ally For Black Professionals and Business Owners
Learn how you can best be an ally to Black business owners.
Black Entrepreneurs Face Their Challenges and Feel Optimistic
Discover more about how Black-Owned businesses are doing in the United States.
Small Business Resilience - Tools Small Businesses Use to Remain Resilient
We will look at the impact of COVID and delve into how the pandemic has affected U.S. small businesses and what resources are available to help businesses survive and thrive. Read more
Unlocking the Doors to Access for Black-Owned Businesses - Funders and Founders Share Their Real Life Stories
This discussion with both funders and founders – will share honest conversations on unlocking access and what it takes to unlock and walk through the door. Read more
The Growth of Digital Assets in Black Business America During the Pandemic
The pandemic caused the Black business community to pivot toward the creation of digital assets.
Building Black Business Communities
SCORE mentor Tereance Moore discusses how Black business owners can build and grow the Black business community.