{"id":537777,"date":"2021-09-14T07:03:29","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T11:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/comcast-rise-commits-11-million-in-grants-to-small-business-owners-of-color-as-part-of-ongoing-effort-to-advance-equitable-economic-mobility-in-cities-nationwide\/"},"modified":"2021-09-14T07:03:29","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T11:03:29","slug":"comcast-rise-commits-11-million-in-grants-to-small-business-owners-of-color-as-part-of-ongoing-effort-to-advance-equitable-economic-mobility-in-cities-nationwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/comcast-rise-commits-11-million-in-grants-to-small-business-owners-of-color-as-part-of-ongoing-effort-to-advance-equitable-economic-mobility-in-cities-nationwide\/","title":{"rendered":"Comcast RISE Commits $11 Million in Grants to Small Business Owners of Color as Part of Ongoing Effort to Advance Equitable Economic Mobility in Cities Nationwide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Comcast RISE Commits $11 Million in Grants to Small Business Owners of Color as Part of Ongoing Effort to Advance Equitable Economic Mobility in Cities Nationwide<\/b><\/p>\n

Second round of Comcast RISE Investment Fund will award $10,000 grants to 600 additional small businesses in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C bringing the total of grants to $11 million.<\/i><\/p>\n

1,100 more businesses will also receive Comcast RISE marketing and technology support, bringing total awardees to nearly 4,700 since program launched in late 2020<\/i><\/p>\n

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nComcast announced today a second round of cities to receive grants from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $6 million additional dollars to hundreds of small businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, bringing the total to $11 million in grants awarded as part of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund initiative.\n<\/p>\n

\nBeginning on October 1, and through October 14, eligible businesses in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. can apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com<\/a>. A total of 100 grants per city, or 600 grants overall, will be awarded in November 2021. The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE<\/a>, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and provide the resources and tools they need today and in the future.\n<\/p>\n

Comcast RISE Recipients to Date<\/b><\/p>\n

\nComcast also announced its fourth round of Comcast RISE recipients, which includes 1,100 small businesses owned by people of color, that will receive a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity from Comcast Business, as well as access to Ureeka<\/a>, an online platform for entrepreneurs with a specialized online networking community with educational resources, sources of capital, and vetted experts. To date, nearly 4,700 Comcast RISE awardees have been announced<\/a> and the program will have supported 13,000 small businesses by the end of 2022.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWhile we know that no single organization can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, we are committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact and change,\u201d said Teresa Ward-Maupin, Senior Vice President, Digital and Customer Experience, Comcast Business. \u201cComcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund offer the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color to help grow their businesses, create jobs, and play a vital role in supporting our communities. This new round of Comcast RISE grants will provide more entrepreneurs of color with the resources and tools they need to scale their businesses and thrive for years to come.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Businesses must be in the following geographic locations to be eligible: Miami, FL (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties); Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties); Oakland, CA (City of Oakland);\n<\/p>\n

\nSeattle, WA (King and Pierce Counties); and Washington, D.C. (Wards 1-8).\n<\/p>\n

\nTo help drive awareness about the program and provide additional support, training, and mentorship, Comcast has also awarded support to Operation Hope, Ureeka, U.S. Black Chambers, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, National Asian American Chamber of Commerce, National CAPACD, Native Women Lead, National Congress of American Indians, Walker\u2019s Legacy, Women Impacting Public Policy, Blavity.org, and nearly 40 community-based organizations in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cUreeka is proud of the commitment that Comcast is making to entrepreneurs of color, and we are humbled to be a part of this program,\u201d said, Melissa Bradley, Co-Founder, Ureeka. \u201cWe know there are stark racial disparities in access to capital and resources for entrepreneurs of color \u2013 in fact, studies show that business owners of color are twice as likely as all business owners to report \u2018lack of access to business loans\/credit\u2019 as a reason for closure. This program helps bridge the gap between survival and failure in the midst of a pandemic which continues to further exaggerate systemic injustices. The additional coaching and community connections that these businesses receive, in addition to monetary funding or services, will help these businesses gain valuable skills and opportunities that will help them move from survive to thrive.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services <\/b><\/p>\n

\nIn addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for \u201cRepresentation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,\u201d provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one.\n<\/p>\n