Local nonprofit supports rural, Black Mississippians left out of federal initiatives

Many rural, Black small business owners in Mississippi were left out of federal programs responding to the pandemic, like the Payment Protection Program, due to a lack of resources needed to access the loans (e.g., accounting expertise). To address this gap, an economic justice nonprofit called Higher Purpose Co in Clarksdale, MS created a Black Business Relief Initiative and Fund, relying on their philanthropic partners for funding. Black Mississippi-based businesses that are self-employed or have no more than 20 employees could apply for a $2,500 award if the business does not have a physical location, or a $5,000 award if the business has a physical location. #workforce #rural #racialequity #covid-19