ResilNC Unveils Plans To Hold The ResilNC Equity and Entrepreneurship Forum, An Online Event

ResilNC is announcing a virtual conference, The ResilNC Equity and Entrepreneurship Forum: Scaling NC’s Underestimated Entrepreneurs Post-COVID. The event, in partnership with the NC Department of Administration, NC Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, and State of North Carolina Governor’s Office, is taking place June 25. Registration is at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-business-forum-scaling-ncs-underestimated-entrepreneurs-post-covid-tickets-154734221221.

The conference will center on expertise such as securing capital from the proper sources at the proper time, in addition to best practices in structuring contracts with governmental agencies and corporations. A featured session will be, “State of Play for Underestimated Entrepreneurs across the State.”

Napoleon Wallace, Co-Founder ResilNC, says right now it’s imperative for Black entrepreneurs in North Carolina to fully realize their economic development potential. “The Covid 19 pandemic had an outsized impact on communities of color, especially Black- owned business. As we move into the recovery, we need spaces where the government leaders, ESOs and funders can coordinate the most impactful strategies to equip black owned businesses with the advice, funding and business opportunities they need to survive and thrive in this new environment.”

The sponsoring organizations say many of North Carolina’s diverse businesses closed at the start of the pandemic, and a disproportionate number of these businesses never reopened. Without the proper financial and advisory resources, more of these businesses will not survive and thrive in coming economic environment.

Tammie Hall, Assistant to the Secretary for HUB & Director, Office for Historically Underutilized, says, “According to a report by the U.S. House Small Business Committee, Black-owned businesses have decreased by 41% due to the pandemic and are experiencing a great challenge to survive. This forum will provide a road map and perspective of the reality facing Black-owned businesses, and how state government can help to provide a path forward to recovery.”