PNC Entrepreneur Plaza helping create more opportunities for Black business owners

PNC Entrepreneur Plaza helping create more opportunities for Black business owners

A $1 million three-year grant from PNC will fund the PNC Entrepreneur Plaza at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. “This is a shining example of possibility, of possibility here in Louisville and possibility in West Louisville,” said Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president. The money will provide opportunities for black business owners to market their products and services to guests during events at the Sports and Learning Center, so businesses are able to gain more exposure. The Louisville Urban League and PNC Bank worked together to bring resources to the community.“We are allowing these businesses to have this pop-up space so that people know where they are, who they are. We have seen significant increases in the number of sales businesses have been able to have just because we have located here in the West End, and we have been so intentional about highlighting black businesses,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, president and CEO, Louisville Urban League .PNC Bank says it’s a much-needed investment into the community.“We know that minority-owned businesses account for nearly 50 percent of all businesses started in the last 10 years and yet minority-owned businesses make up only 18 percent of all us small businesses,” Byrd said. “Further, those businesses face disparities like access to capital, like contracting opportunities, and just other entrepreneurial support.”Business owners like Ausha Hilliman of Julee’s Mocha Coffee Shop say without support from resources like this, she would not have been able to grow her business.“I didn’t grow up with somebody who was in entrepreneurship so I was able to learn skills,” said Hilliman, “Because of the pop-ups I was able to figure out what services I can get besides a loan.” Businesses interested in learning more can reach out to the Louisville Urban League.

A $1 million three-year grant from PNC will fund the PNC Entrepreneur Plaza at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.

“This is a shining example of possibility, of possibility here in Louisville and possibility in West Louisville,” said Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president.

The money will provide opportunities for black business owners to market their products and services to guests during events at the Sports and Learning Center, so businesses are able to gain more exposure.

The Louisville Urban League and PNC Bank worked together to bring resources to the community.

“We are allowing these businesses to have this pop-up space so that people know where they are, who they are. We have seen significant increases in the number of sales businesses have been able to have just because we have located here in the West End, and we have been so intentional about highlighting black businesses,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, president and CEO, Louisville Urban League .

PNC Bank says it’s a much-needed investment into the community.

“We know that minority-owned businesses account for nearly 50 percent of all businesses started in the last 10 years and yet minority-owned businesses make up only 18 percent of all us small businesses,” Byrd said. “Further, those businesses face disparities like access to capital, like contracting opportunities, and just other entrepreneurial support.”

Business owners like Ausha Hilliman of Julee’s Mocha Coffee Shop say without support from resources like this, she would not have been able to grow her business.

“I didn’t grow up with somebody who was in entrepreneurship so I was able to learn skills,” said Hilliman, “Because of the pop-ups I was able to figure out what services I can get besides a loan.”

Businesses interested in learning more can reach out to the Louisville Urban League.