Urban League Partners with First Financial to Give Grants to Businesses Started by BIPOC

By National Urban League
Published03 PM EST, Fri Nov 22, 2024
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The Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH) has set out to help many hit hard by the pandemic over the past year.

Aside from risks involved with getting COVID-19, businesses and their employees saw finances take a tumble in 2020 and into 2021.

In a partnership with the Columbus Urban League and First Financial Bancorp, 10 grants for $2,500 are available for start-up small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC.)

The money is part of the Urban League’s Minority Small Business Resiliency Initiative.

Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League said this money is much needed.

“COVID really illuminated disparities as it already related to black and brown folks and particularly small businesses. Because of structural racism, there hasn't been the ability for small businesses to get loans,” she said.

“If we could put a little seed money in your pocket to get you over this hump… we're really proud of the fact that we've become that trusted partner.”

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