NYUL Partners with Ford Motor Company to Award 18 Grants to Black Businesses
The Ford Motor Company and the New York Urban League (New York, NY) partnered to award unrestricted grants in the amount of $5,000 to Black-owned small businesses that operate in predominantly Black neighborhoods in New York City. Funding granted will be used for payment of outstanding rent, utilities, and payroll expenses, inventory and operational equipment purchases, protective supplies to stop the spread of Covid-19, property damage repair, website and customer engagement staff hire, and/or equipment upgrades to enhance web content and drive online sales.
NYUL partnered with Harlem Business Alliance in Manhattan and Bedford- Stuyvesant Restoration in Brooklyn to identify candidates for the small business grant. The Grant Review Committee selected 18 business to be awarded the Small Business Grant. The primary addresses for the businesses selected span across 3 boroughs: Brooklyn (8), Manhattan (9), and the Bronx (1). The businesses selected are in a variety of industries, including food service, personal care, apparel, fitness training, and technical support. There are many common themes amongst these businesses involving the need for funding, still the plans for these funds range from basic operating expenses to business model improvements that will enhance customer experience.
“We are so pleased to partner with Ford Motor Company to provide these small grants to small businesses. Our communities are disproportionately suffering the health and economic impact of COVID. We are pleased to provide critical support to these businesses at a critical time." - Arva Rice, President & CEO of the New York Urban League
The on-line application for this grant was open from April 9th through April 30th of 2021. Grant eligibility requirements were as follows:
- Greater than 50% Black Ownership
- In Business prior to March 1st, 2019
- Legally Registered Entity
- Primary business address within the 5 Boroughs of NYC
69% have received Covid-19 relief funding from other entities and the rest are receiving financial support for the first time. The allocation of these grants furthers New York Urban League's mission to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first-class education, economic self-reliance, and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services, and advocacy.
“Small businesses are vital to the continued growth and economic stability in the communities in which they operate. Black-owned businesses are important anchors in our communities and threads in the fabric of our society. We know this grant, as well as our other efforts, will strengthening the economic infrastructure in Black communities. Public announcement of this support will inspire hope and good faith in our recovery and growth post-pandemic,” said Board Chair Ward Corbett.
Grant Award Winners
BLVD BISTRO
Food & Beverage, Manhattan
CALABAR IMPORTS
Apparel/Accessories, Brooklyn
SHUGAH BAYBEES
Day Care, Manhattan
DANETT BEAN
Acupuncture, Brooklyn
SPUDZ,
Food & Beverage, Brooklyn
BASQUAT’S BOTTLE
Food & Beverage, Brooklyn
RUSTIK 471
Food & Beverage, Brooklyn
MOMMA ZEE’S FOOD TO PLEZ
Food & Beverage, Manhattan
THE LEAD ATHLETICS
Fitness Training, Brooklyn
HARLEM CANDLE COMPANY
Candles, Manhattan
THE BRONX COLLAB
Co-Working Space, Bronx
HER AGENDA
Digital Media, Brooklyn
L. A. SWEETSNY
Food & Beverage, Manhattan
TRIBAL TRUTHS
Apparel/Accessories, Brooklyn
ASTORIAN
IT Service, Manhattan
LEE LEE'S BAKED GOODS
Food & Beverage, Manhattan
CHOCOLAT
Food & Beverage, Manhattan
SEASONED VEGAN
Food & Beverage, Manhattan