Page 9 - Metro Record April 2021 filea
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THE METRO RECORD - APRIL 2021 9
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Springfield, MA – March 9, 2021 lending and networking both the Black-owned business
- The Association of Black relationships that are essential to grant and Black and Latino/a/x
Business and Professionals their success. We understand internship stipend is available at
announced today that it has that people may not have the www.abbpofma.org. Please note,
received a $100,000 grant from time or expertise to fill out long that funding is strictly limited to
the Commonwealth of and confusing applications, applicants who attend school or
Massachusetts Urban Agenda especially when their attention whose primary business/
grant as part of an initiative to should solely be focused on nonprofit address is registered
address disparities in pandemic staying afloat. We are working to within the McKnight, Upper Hill,
recovery assistance in the lower the barriers of access by Pine Point, Bay, or Boston Road
communities which have been focusing more on building neighborhoods of Springfield.
hit hardest by the COVID-19 relationships and hearing the
pandemic. stories of persistence that people “Our business owners and
share with us,” said Kareem students have been among the
"There is no question that Black Kibodya, Chairman of the Grant hardest hit by the pandemic,
businesses have been Subcommittee of ABBP. while also receiving
disproportionately impacted by disproportionately less in terms
the COVID-19 pandemic. This Eligibility: While many have of federal and state financial
much needed relief is very timely been negatively affected by the assistance, such as Payroll
and desperately needed. I pandemic, to ensure that these Protection Program Loans
couldn't be more excited to get limited funds get to the most (PPP), when compared to White
these funds out to the severely impacted businesses, business owners, and people
community," said David preference will be given to the living in more affluent
Maynard, Chairman of the following: communities.
Executive Board of ABBP. Black-owned small businesses,
especially those who have This is an opportunity to provide
ABBP was chosen for its experienced significant equitable assistance to people
dedication to helping Black reduction in operating revenue whose needs have been neglected
business owners and due to the coronavirus pandemic for too long,” said Kareem.
professionals in the Greater and/or have not received
Springfield area across a variety significant financial assistance About ABBP The Association of
of industries. Through financial through other pandemic Black Business and Professionals
literacy workshops, such as assistance programs. (ABBP) is a nonprofit
marketing and real estate Currently enrolled Black and organization serving the Greater
investment, as well as advocacy Latino/a/x high school/college Springfield community since it
for local Black business and students and recent graduates was founded in 2015. We aim to
community interests, ABBP is ages 16-26. promote and sustain black
committed to providing access to Non-profit 501c3 organizations businesses, professionals,
the knowledge, tools, and whose primary mission is serving programs and initiatives in the
networking to succeed the Black community. areas and markets that we serve
. Applications will be accepted in through networking, advocacy,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has two rounds due April 9, 2021 and and educational workshops. To
highlighted the severe inequities May 31, 2021. learn more about ABBP, please
that burden Black Communities, visit www.abbpofma.org.
many tend to lack the traditional The full program overview for