Businesswoman Ayesha Curry has teamed up with Square to mentor Black and Latino business owners.
Square announced the launch of Forward, a business accelerator program designed to help Black and Latino retail entrepreneurs obtain the capital, coaching, and products they need to succeed.
Business owners of color are leading America’s entrepreneurship boom. More than 5 million new business applications were filed in 2022, and Black and Latino Americans are opening more businesses than any other group. Despite these successes, Black and Latino business owners still face systemic barriers to achieving long-term success, which result in higher closure rates. According to a recent Square report, the most common challenges faced by Hispanic businesses is raising capital.
To provide more access to resources and address these barriers, Forward will support 25 early-stage businesses who will be awarded $20,000 in funding along with exclusive access to trainings developed in partnership with 1863 Ventures, a recognized leader in providing culturally competent business curricula.
Members of the inaugural cohort will receive Square checking and savings accounts, Square hardware, attend intimate mentor masterclasses and work on an individual level with coaches to discuss their unique business needs.
Joining Curry as mentors include actress, activist, designer, and businesswoman Rosario Dawson, financial advisors and podcasters Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings of Earn Your Leisure, and NBA Champion, entrepreneur and Social Change Fund United (SCFU) co-founder Dwyane Wade.