Changing the Narrative for Black Businesses
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Forward Cities in partnership with the Truist Foundation, launched our Black Wall Street Forward (BWSF) pilot program in North Carolina late last year. Here’s what we’ve been up to since…
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We change the narrative for Black Businesses when we collectively work to share, post and celebrate positive stories, features and articles that reinforce the strength, power and success of our entrepreneurs. Our Black Wall Street Forward Instagram account is full of these positive stories. Join our Instagram community and join the conversation!
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Looking to the Past
To catalyze this narrative change in North Carolina and honor past and existing efforts of the Black Wall Street legacy, we look to the pillars of success from Durham’s historic Black Wall Street. Learn about these pillars.
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Leveraging the Present
As a part of the BWSF initiative, in each participating community, we’re excited to introduce our 5 Ecosystem Builders in Residence who are leading our work and councils in Durham, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem.
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Building Our Future
STAT: 6,393 more Black businesses in Raleigh. 20,739 new jobs in Charlotte. Increase in total pay by approximately $23,188,208 in Fayetteville. These are just a few ways NC would change if Black businesses reached parity with all businesses.
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Our Black Wall Street Forward Pillars
There are 6 pillars of success from Durham’s historical Black Wall Street. Learn about the first 2 below.
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The first and most vital pillar of the Black Wall Street Forward initiative is “Collaborative Black leadership and innovation.” With our EBIRs and community leaders, we explored the history of Durham’s Black Wall Street, discussed its impact, and leveraged these new understandings to envision the future Black-centric collaborative action and innovation in our communities.
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The second pillar of the Black Wall Street Forward initiative is “A Culturally-rooted Geographic Business Hub.” Explore how Durham’s Black Wall Street created a density of business and networking activities for Black people in the Parrish street and Hayti communities of the early 1900s AND how our EBIRs see opportunities for us to pull that forward today!
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Through the generous support of the Truist Foundation we are able to do this work across North Carolina. We hope to collaboratively shape a sustainable model for the future of thriving, equitably invested, and self-determined Black-centric entrepreneurial communities that support high quality, competitive businesses.
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Our BWSF Communities
We’re working deeply in 5 communities in NC to change the narrative of Black businesses. Each city is developing pilot projects to catalyze Black enterprise in their areas. Learn more about each pilot program below.
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We can’t do this work without the support of our communities. Know any aspiring entrepreneurs, existing business owners, or professionals working to support Black businesses thrive in North Carolina? If so, please consider forwarding this email to them.
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