Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, today announced that its groundbreaking 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative has supported more than 155,000 unique businesses to date through its HOPE Inside network and 1MBB partners. According to the 1MBB 2022 Impact Report, which will be released in Q1 2023, this accounts for approximately 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the U.S.
Launched in October 2020, Operation HOPE and lead partner Shopify established 1MBB to help create and support up to one million new Black-owned businesses by 2030. Shopify committed resources to the initiative valued at approximately $130 million. In addition, Operation HOPE has signed a coalition of more than 60 other corporate, governmental and private partners that have committed to support the effort. This includes the U.S. Small Business Administration, Truist, First Horizon, Wells Fargo, the NFL, MasterCard, Comcast, iHeart Radio, Aprio, Clark Atlanta University, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Reid AME Community Development Corporation, Fraternities Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma and municipality partners including the cities of Birmingham, Memphis, Jackson, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Charlotte, Salisbury and Montgomery, among others.
The no-cost program helps Black entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge, skills and access to resources required to start, scale and grow their businesses. Through 1MBB, Black business owners have the opportunity to sign up for Operation HOPE’s award-winning model of community uplift, financial literacy and education – HOPE Inside – and upon graduation, Shopify has committed to providing aspiring Black entrepreneurs education, programming and resources to help launch or expand their businesses. Other 1MBB partners have also committed to providing in-kind services and support for these business owners.
“I have consistently espoused that ‘silver rights’ is the ‘civil rights’ issue of this generation. Operation HOPE’s bold 1MBB initiative is equipping entrepreneurs with what they need to create and sustain a viable business,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “1MBB offers a real, actionable approach to tackling financial disparities and building stronger communities. The data shows that we are having a true impact and empowering Black businesses.”
“Operation HOPE, 1MBB, and Shopify gave me the ability to build and launch a beautiful, easy-to-manage website with no prior experience along with the capital from my first loan to acquire the things I needed to continue to grow my business,” said Jazmin Richards, Founder & CEO, BlkSunflower.com.
“Operation HOPE and 1MBB also provided me with amazing coaches and resources that help set BlkSunflower up for success. With the resources and coaching, especially access to funding, and business development tools, I now know that I am supported and the sky is the limit.”