Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center is an initiative of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago committed to ensuring that women of color business owners realize success and prosperity. This initiative focuses on supporting later-stage women of color entrepreneurs who are the majority owners of their businesses, have at least 2 years of experience running their business, and have annual revenues of $100,000+ that are undercapitalized. We believe that with adequate funding and support, all entrepreneurs can have a catalytic impact on the communities they serve.
Black Women are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs with over 1.5M businesses – an increase of 322% since 1997.
Participating business owners will have access to the support services, resources, networks and funding that will give them the tools to realize their business goals, scale their businesses, and, ultimately, to create the true economic development impact that’s vital to the health and sustainability of the communities they serve. Our program includes:
- Classroom instruction for 10-weeks
- Business advisor mentorship
- Access to capital
ACHIEVING TRUE EQUITY
Closing the revenue gap for minority women-owned businesses would have a huge impact on the economy.
The US economy could see an increase of $1.2 trillion in revenue and 4 million new jobs if minority-owned business revenue matched those generated by all women-owned businesses.
Program Support
- Supplement training curriculum with specialized content (ex. Education on financial management and/or investment strategies)
- Share network and relevant resources to advance targeted outcomes
- Help us sustain and expand program by connecting us with other potential funders
- Assit with development of capital fund
Mentorship
- Provide one-on-one or group coaching and mentorship to participating entrepreneurs
For more information on joining this program as a participant, please contact Cheryl Hudson-Jackson at
cheryl.hudson-jackson@ywcachicago.org.
For more information on supporting this program with an investment or contribution, please contact Regan Sonnabend at regan.sonnabend@ywcachicago.org.
Thank you to our strategic partners:
