BLACK ENTREPRENEUR INITIATIVE BEI
In 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, TLE launched its Black Entrepreneur Initiative with the goal to empower 100,000 black entrepreneurs. The initiative has resulted in unprecedented cooperation between corporations and philanthropies including: UPS, Molson Coors, Microsoft, ESPN, AARP, Urban League, Black Chamber of Commerce, Ally Bank, Lakewood Church, Richard Petty Motorsports, Urban Leadership Fund, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Charlotte Hornets, the NFL Players Association, Cerner, Wells Fargo, and many more.
BEI HAS ALREADY HELPED OVER 19,000 BLACK ENTREPRENEURS
New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Los Angeles. Dallas. Charlotte. Houston. Columbus. Detroit. Milwaukee. Miami. Baltimore. Washington DC. Philadelphia. St. Louis. Orlando. Cleveland. Boston. Indianapolis.
Richard Petty supported 4,300 Black entrepreneurs and draped Richard Petty's famous #43 with TLE and BEI branding as a primary sponsorship partner in the NASCAR Cup Series.
As part of its Champioin Black Business program, ESPN, the NBA, Shark Tank and Andscape partnered with TLE to empower Black entrepreneurs. The program won the Best Diversity Program of 2022.
Discover Financial provided black scholars aspiring to be entrepreneurs from non-profit Chicago Scholars with free access to the Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community.
In partnership with One Columbus, PNC contributed funding to support BEI and provide the Learning Community to black entrepreneurs from Columbus Urban League.
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notable quotes
"All of us have potential. But so many of the underserved lack opportunity, and in many ways entrepreneurship is where potential can meet opportunity. The Lonely Entrepreneur - through its Black Entrepreneur Initiative and its Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative - has created a program that provides so many entrepreneurs with that opportunity to not only create a business but to live a more fulfilling life. As one of the global experts in DEI in sports, entertainment, and retail, I highly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity that The Lonely Entrepreneur is providing to have a real impact on our communities."
— JARVIS SAM TLE Ambassador Former Global Head of DEI – Nike
"As a partner of the Dallas Mavericks, The Lonely Entrepreneur has been a vital contributor in our efforts to empower and support underrepresented communities in Dallas-Fort Worth through our flagship business development initiative, Mavs Business Assist (MBA), as well as in our youth-focused programming.
The Lonely Entrepreneur's dedication to the success of small businesses and entrepreneurs aligns perfectly with the Mavericks' mission to address and help alleviate systemic inequities that create disadvantaged communities. Through our partnership, MBA participants have access to a wealth of resources, including expert advice, mentorship, and networking opportunities, provided by The Lonely Entrepreneur's Learning Community."
—TEDDY GRAVES VP of CSR Dallas Mavericks
“As someone who has been blessed by good fortune and professional success, I know first-hand the positive impact that the assistance of others can have on that journey. I have consistently sought to pay forward that assistance by working to support young Black men and women in a variety of ways. The Black Entrepreneur Initiative has a real and positive impact on the lives of young Black men and women entrepreneurs who often face systemic racism and other challenges that make starting and growing businesses even more arduous. Putting critical business knowledge and support in the hands of entrepreneurs is vital to successful outcomes."
— LEN ELMORE
NBA Veteran, Member of Knight Commission on College Athletics, Columbia University Professor
"We’re excited to host our third annual Hornets Innovation Summit for 2023, and to again be working alongside Bank of America to propel local minority entrepreneurs and businesses forward. The Innovation Summit has become one of our favorite initiatives, and we look forward to seeing this year’s pitches and meeting some incredible people doing some incredible work within our community. Building on the success of the past two years, we’re especially proud that every applicant will receive upgraded complimentary business resources thanks to our friends at Bank of America and The Lonely Entrepreneur."
— FRED WHITFIELD Charlotte Hornets Sports & Entertainment President & Vice Chairman