Chapter 11: Resources for Women, BIPOC, & LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs

A diverse food community enriches us all.

Resources

A diverse community of business owners enriches our food economy. Yet, some people face heightened obstacles when launching or expanding their businesses. Women and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and the LGBTQ+ community experience discrimination and lack access to capital^,. In a challenging business landscape, these entrepreneurs seek out creative solutions to thrive^,. 

Equal access to support for all food businesses benefits residents and our State as a whole. In addition to the resources in Chapter 10, Chapter 11 provides additional resources for Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. The organizations listed offer access to business education, capital, and other assistance. Some of them serve specific groups within these communities. The list provides a summary of each organization’s mission, target community, types of support offered, and contact information.

Please find the resources below.

Food Business

Organization	Region	Key Issues	Target Population	Support Offered	Contact info
Commonwealth Kitchen	Greater Boston	strengthening the capacity, connections, and collective power of diverse entrepreneurs to start and grow successful food businesses	apparent focus on women & BIPOC, but not exclusive	shared kitchen space, Business development, product development, food safety & labeling, sales & marketing	through FAQ page: http://www.commonwealthkitchen.org/contact
Cambridge Food Lab	low income communities MA, Cambridge	Foster and support food entrepreneurs in MA,  sustainable food jobs for low-income Cambridge residents, support sustainable food tech & ingredients	apparent focus on low income residents & BIPOC, but not exclusive	Consulting services, including regulatory compliance, financial literacy, marketing, operations, recruitment, product & process development	contact form on home page
UTEC (originally known as United Teen Equality Center but now goes by UTEC, Inc.)	Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill	nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young adults (ages 17-25) overcome poverty, unemployment, gang involvement, and cultural barriers that are pervasive in the communities we serve	low-income/otherwise at-risk youth	Training in food service, food safety, and production, community kitchen space available for rental	978.856.3951 [e-mail]

Agriculture

Organization	Region	Key Issues	Target Population	Support Offered	Contact info
Soul Fire Farm	located in NY, offerings not region-specific	inclusive community, skill development for BIPOC farmers	focus on black farmers, serve BIPOC population	online courses for skill development, in-person farming immersion courses	518-880-9372, [e-mail]
Northeast Farmers of Color	Northeast	To advance land sovereignty in the northeast region through permanent and secure land tenure for Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and Asian farmers and land stewards	BIPOC	currently offering a variety of webinars, in process of establishing a land trust that will offer land at affordable prices for POC farmers	contact form on website or social media
National Black Farmers Association	National	hunger, land loss, food sovereignty in Black community	Black farmers	technical assistance/training, networking, events	434-676-6232
American Agri-Women	National	resilience and community for women in agriculture	women-identifying	education, leadership development, events	[e-mail]
Farms to Grow, Inc.	National	sustainable farming and innovative agriculture practices which preserve the cultural and biological diversity, the agroecological balance of the local environment	Black farmers, other underserved communities	technical assistance, marketing assistance, events	510-379-8600
Cultivating Change	National	Valuing and elevating LGBT agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.	LGBTQ	education, networking, events	415-902-2239, [e-mail]

General Support

Organization	Region	Key Issues	Target Population	Support Offered	Contact info
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Inc. (BECMA)	MA	advance the economic well-being of Black businesses, organizations that serve the Black community and Black residents of Massachusetts	Black residents of Massachusetts	advocacy, meetings, and events (such as the Mass. Black Expo), connect Black business owners with investors, contracts	[e-mail]
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts	MA	making business a vehicle for social, environmental, and economic change	local entrepreneurs - no specific mention of BIPOC	Offer affordable technical assistance, promote locally owned independent food businesses	[e-mail]
Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll|EparaTodos)	MA	accelerating economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship	“under-represented individuals”	EforAll Accelerator - free, one-year program offered twice a year	1-833-336-7255
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)	National, headquartered in Roxbury	urban economic development	residents of inner cities across US	Capacity-building education, one-on-one coaching, connection to capital & capital providers	617-238-1740, [e-mail]
MA Supplier Diversity Office	MA	increase opportunities for certified businesses and Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) participants	Woman, BIPOC, LGBTQ, veteran, disability	certifies diverse businesses,  business programs that enhance the marketability of small and diverse businesses when they bid on public contracts	617-502-8851, [e-mail]
The Babson College Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab	Boston & Miami (online offerings for Fall 2020)	provide community & support to women entrepreneurs, catalyze innovation, enable them to successfully scale	women-identifying founders looking to grow business, scholarships for Women of Color	fully virtual, 12-week venture accelerator. Teaches methodology, offers one-on-one coaching	Kara Miller (Program Director) - [e-mail]
MA Small Businesses Development Center Network	MA	providing small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today’s challenging economic climate	general, with focus on inclusivity	Business Advisory Services, international trade assistance, government contracting	413-545-6301
Center for Women & Enterprise	New England	nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses	women-identifying	education, training, technical assistance, women’s business enterprise certification	Eastern MA office: 617-536-0700, Central MA office: 508-363-2300
Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council	New England	expand business opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), connect MBEs to Corporate Companies	BIPOC	one-on-one consulting and training, advanced leadership training	617-578-8900
US Small Business Administration	National	cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise	offices for women-, Native American-, LGBT- & veteran-owned businesses	free counseling, access to SBA-backed loans, disaster relief, improved access to government contracts	800-827-5722, [e-mail]
Black Girl Ventures	National	provide access to capital for black and brown women founders	Black/Brown Women	online community, pitch events, various educational materials	Online community - bgvonnect.org
The Black Upstart	National	provide business education and training to potential founders	Black entrepreneurs	boot camps, traveling workshops, free educational content on social media channels	contact form on homepage
Accion	National	nationwide nonprofit lending network	populations underrepresented in business ownership	fair and flexible loans, connections to business experts, and access to resources and opportunities	[phone]
Tory Burch Foundation	National	invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses	women-identifying	Access to capital, entrepreneurial education, mentoring/networking opportunities
National Association of Women Business Owners Institute	National	empower women-business owners and foster entrepreneurship	women-identifying	educational resources, online programming, mentorship and networking, leadership development programs	800-556-2926
Aspen Capital Fund	National	provide access to capital through capital raise strategy	specific emphasis on Hispanic businesses	educational resources, workshops & virtual round tables, mentor education, connections with investors	https://aspencapitalfund.com/join/
Kiva	National	provide access to credit for communities that are often not supported by traditional lenders	specifically targets non-traditional lendees (low credit, etc.)	community-funded loans, 0% interest up to $15,000	contact form on site
MBDA - Chamber of Commerce	National	provide assistance to & advocate for minority owned businesses	BIPOC	loans/grants, educational resources, business services, internship programs
US Black Chambers	National	economic empowerment for Black businesses and individuals in the US	Black business owners, entrepreneurs	access to capital through Capital Pathways programs, networking events, educational resources
Female Founders Alliance	National	Accelerate the success of venture-scale, women and non-binary founded companies	women-identifying & nonbinary founded companies	free accelerator program, very competitive	360-347-6157, [e-mail]
Women’s Venture Fund	National	nonprofit organization that helps women to establish thriving businesses in urban communities	women-identifying	grants, advisory services, entrepreneurial training, technical assistance	212-563-0499, [e-mail]
Plexus	National	LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce	LGBTQ & Allied	networking, educational resources	216-243-7510, [e-mail]
Female Founders Fund	National	Venture Capital firm that invests in women-owned businesses	women-identifying	Events, free online resources	[e-mail]