Aprio, LLP, a nationally recognized business advisory and CPA firm, announced today that it has launched a 10-year partnership with Operation HOPE’s One Million Black Businesses(1MBB) initiative, which will include providing business and financial advisory as well as educational services to aspiring Black entrepreneurs.
Aprio team members from across the U.S. will have the opportunity to volunteer by leading educational sessions and through one-on-one coaching and mentoring, serving as advisors to the 1MBB program participants. The programming kicks off in May to coincide with National Small Business Month, beginning with a series of virtual training sessions.
COVID-19 has stifled small business development and particularly impacted the number of Black business owners, which fell 40% in 2020. Today, there are only 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S., of which 96% have no employees. Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant recognized the opportunity to partner with industry experts to connect current and future business owners to the training and technical assistance they need to succeed.
“Aprio is thrilled to partner with Operation HOPE on the 1MBB project to provide expertise that is critical to running a thriving business. For the last 70 years, Aprio has been partnering with entrepreneurs to drive profitability and growth,” said Richard Kopelman, CEO and Managing Partner at Aprio. “This partnership reinforces Aprio’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and provides our team members with opportunities to create meaningful and lasting change.”
“Aprio leaned in and became the first accounting and advisory firm in the nation to commit to the 1MBB platform and movement,” said Bryant. “Together, we will provide the support Black businesses need to succeed, building diverse business communities and helping diminish the racial wealth gap in the U.S.”