Asset Funder's Network Grantmakers Conference

Small businesses play a critical role in wealth creation, quality job creation, and the vibrancy of our communities. Yet, small business owners of color face persistent institutional and systemic barriers to starting, building, and sustaining their small businesses. Targeting the specific challenges facing entrepreneurs of color- historic discrimination and redlining, lack of trust in financial institutions, limited access to capital, markets, and culturally and linguistically relevant financial products and services, to name a few- requires institutional and individual responses that center the needs of business owners of color. The nation has an opportunity to bring forward policy solutions to right these wrongs. In the meantime, key organizations are stepping up relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts for entrepreneurs of color creating new pathways for long term wealth building. Join us as we answer key questions such as:

• What role does small business ownership play in closing the racial wealth gap?
• How have entrepreneurs of color dealt with systemic challenges?
• What case studies offer specific interventions and opportunities for funders?
• How can funders of different size and scope invest in entrepreneurs of color and their communities?