To ensure that minority businesses effectively access the latest round of PPP loans, the ALANA Community Brain Trust in Minnesota launched an alliance of 11 banks and nonprofit lenders who agreed to accept referrals. To date 50+ minority businesses have been served through this network. We asked these businesses about ways they have built the community during the Covid Pandemic. It was inspiring to read their responses – some of which are shared below:
- I got the PPP loan that helped me to hire employees from 9 employees to almost 39 employees. I braved the covid-19 and served the community. With the PPP loan increased employment from 9 to 39 and payroll from $10,000/month to $50,000 to $60,000/month
- Our contribution to the community has been made in several ways: – We continued our rent payment during Covid, as our landlord is a small business owner as well. – We hired a new staff in June, who was laid off previously due to Covid. – We strengthened collaboration with other minority-owned business and partnered with them however we can. – When we can, we do lunch catering from minority-owned restaurants.
- We donated PPE to customers and clients during the pandemic. We also collected 200 toys and gifts for less fortunate kids that were distributed during Christmas. Fades of Gray has also given 300 free haircuts to the Homeless before and after the pandemic. Our company strives every year to be entrenched in our community. Hoping someday we may be able to receive help so we may continue to give back to the less fortunate.
- We were able to keep 2 single mothers employed all year, we also worked with 2 minority-owned service providers. We worked with some of our suppliers to donate flooring products to some of the companies that were damaged in the unrest.
- I was able to hire members of my community to work on job sites with me. People who might not have these opportunities otherwise
- Our goal is to by way of sales, marketing and promotion help nonprofits that are fighting to end family and teenage homelessness in the Twin Cities metro area. We were (despite slumping sales) able to donate over 3,000 dollars in the last year to Face to Face teen outreach program. We are looking forward to continuing our efforts in the new year.
- Volunteered more during pandemic
- As a small growing company, I hired one engineer in 2020 and have provided him with all the training he needs to succeed in his career development. I plan to hire one more engineer in February 2021, if I can obtain the PPP loan in January 2021.
- We also have a nonprofit that helps the youth with financial literacy and life skills. We use basketball to make well needed education fun. Kids are learning needed skills that will eventually help with the injustices and inequalities that have led to the unrest.
- I have worked with the small minority businesses in the area to help them get their financials in order to either start their business or to keep up with their existing business revenues.
- We donate 2% of sales to child welfare programming in Minnesota. We donated to 3 organizations in 2020 and 4 organizations in 2019. Our goal is to increase our give back to 5 organizations in 2021. We donated food, products and money to various programs after the George Floyd riots and destruction of essential businesses. We adopted a family and purchased food and essential products. We donated to the cultural wellness center that provides mental health and domestic abuse programming.
- We actually helped rebuild a restaurant in south Minneapolis during the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd. The restaurant was right in the center of the area where everything was vandalized and burned down.
- We provide non-emergency transportation to vulnerable adults. Following CDC guidelines, we have been providing these services safely to these vulnerable adults, volunteering (for those who do not have the least money to go for their daily programs or appointments). During the Civil unrest, we were able to go clean up, provide masks and water.
- We have hosted COVID relief resources (RISE- and the Anika Foundation) who have helped people and families in need with financial support and resources to get stabilized. We also employ members of our community as well.
- Provided vegetables to residents assisted with delivery of meals to people in quarantine. Provided training for neighborhood youth in several programs
Many ALANA small businesses, especially sole proprietors and independent contractors do not realize that they can take advantage of this important source of capital during this critical time that could help them pivot or sustain their business during this Covid pandemic. To access our referral network of lenders please fill the short referral application at the link below.
https://app.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?9EBAD6C99EDBC8C89D
The ALANA Brain Trust – African Latino Asian and Native American (ALANA) – a multiethnic network of individuals and organizations working to grow capital and build capacity in our ALANA communities. Over the past few months, we have engaged with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation, the SBA, DEED, the Governor’s Office and most recently our recommendations were integrated into the report of the Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice. Our policy advocacy for dedicated funding for ALANA businesses and ALANA CDFIs and microlenders is also reflected in the recent changes to the PPP program approved by Congress.
Brett Buckner, Jane Leonard and Dr. Bruce Corrie serve as stewards of the ALANA Community Brain Trust. You can find more information at www.empoweringstrategies.org. For more information please contact Dr. Bruce Corrie (brucecorrie@gmail.com), Jane Leonard (Jane@growthandjustice.org) and Brett Buckner (brett1mn@gmail.com).
