In 2004, John William Templeton co-founded National Black Business Month as an effort to expand the support and presence of black-owned businesses across the country. Just last year, the Downtown Partnership launched a program called BOOST to try to grow black businesses in the city. Nikia K. Vaughan opened her spa last June. A brick and mortar business called NKVSKIN on Charles Street got a lot of help from the Downtown Partnership’s BOOST program. “BOOST helped me in all aspects by providing US attorney services, CPA services, business coaches to help us with the business with products and knowledge,” said Vaughn. The five selected businesses received up to $50,000 in grants to support construction and operations, plus affordable rent. Black-owned small businesses have been more at risk of foreclosure and have historically had less access to capital. BOOST is the brainchild of Downtown Partnership President Shelonda Stokes.| LINK: BOOST Program Information “It’s important for the Downtown Partnership, the city and the community at large to nurture these black businesses because these are the businesses that will also employ our community and so when you think about a wholesale city, we want to make sure that same representation is happening downtown where the economy is in the city,” Stokes said. Vaughn’s Spa is a natural beauty company featuring products and services that she owns. With the help of BOOST, her business has grown.”We’re doing great already having 300 customers before opening my storefront. Now I’m at about 800 customers. We have the community coming because they saw us on BOOST the program they stop by shopping to get express services,” she said. Another inaugural business is up and running and three more are in the process of opening. BOOST plans to host another class soon.
In 2004, John William Templeton co-founded National Black Business Month as an effort to expand the support and existence of black-owned businesses across the country.
Just last year, the Downtown Partnership started a program called BOOST to try to grow black businesses in the city.
Nikia K. Vaughan opened her spa last June. A brick and mortar business called NKVSKIN on Charles Street got a lot of help from the Downtown Partnership’s BOOST program.
“BOOST helped me in all aspects by providing US attorney services, CPA services, business coaches to help us with the business with products and knowledge,” said Vaughn.
The five selected businesses received up to $50,000 in grants to support construction and operations, plus affordable rent.
Black-owned small businesses have been more at risk of foreclosure and have historically had less access to capital.
BOOST is the brainchild of Downtown Partnership President Shelonda Stokes.
| LINK: BOOST Program Information
“It’s important for the Downtown Partnership, the city and the community at large to nurture these black businesses because these are the businesses that are also going to employ our community and so when you think about a majority city, we want to make sure that that same representation is happening. at the core of the city where the economy is in the city,” Stokes said.
Vaughn’s spa is a natural beauty company that features products and services that it owns. With the help of BOOST, her business has grown.
“We’re doing great with already 300 customers before my storefront opened. Now I’m about 800 customers. We came from the community because they saw us in the BOOST program where they stop by making purchases get express service.” she said.
Another inaugural business is up and running and three others are in the process of opening. BOOST plans to host another class soon.