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GET INVOLVED
Volunteer with SCORE
Support small businesses in your community. SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve in a variety of roles — from knowledgeable business mentors to local community advocates.
Justyn Pippins,
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
"To be a great leader you first have to be a great follower. I love how my clients react when they figure out they are not alone in entrepreneurship. We are building an ecosystem so that all SCORE clients can be successful."
Black Entrepreneurs
Black small business owners and their communities have faced extraordinary challenges over the years. Now, we have an opportunity to do better. With over 50 years of experience, SCORE is renewing our commitment to being part of the solution. We’re here to close the opportunity gap. We’re here to take action. We’re here to give you the tools to meet and overcome any business challenge so that you can succeed.
We spoke with our clients to fully understand the challenges facing Black small business owners today. Before most Black entrepreneurs even open their doors, they face a range of obstacles, from a lack of capital to difficulty accessing government programs—not to mention encountering bias and racism along the way.
There are more than 2 million Black-owned businesses in the United States.
Fundera, 20 Black-Owned Business Statistics for 2021
Black business owners receive less business financing, less often, and at higher rates.
Fundera, 20 Black-Owned Business Statistics for 2021
Women make up 46 percent of Black entrepreneurs.
Fundera, 20 Black-Owned Business Statistics for 2021
GET FREE BUSINESS ADVICE
From Experienced Mentors
SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow, or transition your business. Enter your zip code above to get matched with a business expert near you!
"As a SCORE Volunteer, I know that we help our clients and immediately make a positive impact within our community. I personally enjoy connecting with clients and helping them come up with solutions and resources that help to complete their goals. When we help a business, we impact clients' ability to grow, stay in business, take care of their families, and possibly hire other people in the community. I am proud to be part of this national organization of professionals."
Kat Shepherd,
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
Black Entrepreneurs Who Turned to SCORE as a Partner in Their Success
With SCORE by your side, you don't have to go it alone. SCORE has helped countless Black entrepreneurs find success in their small businesses. See how SCORE has helped some of the small business owners start and grow their small businesses. Yours could be the next success story!
Ursula's About Phace Rittenhouse Studio
"There’s not enough ink in my pen to write about everything that’s great about my mentor, Mr. Mark Maguire. What makes him an exceptional mentor are the qualities he possesses naturally: his willingness to share his genius, skills, knowledge, and expertise - at a level that’s not condescending or confusing - in a concise manner that makes it easy to understand."
Puff Cuff
"I am incredibly grateful for my first SCORE mentor, Captain Edward M. Davidson. He helped me see that PuffCuff was a viable business and a natural solution for those with curls. He also taught me it was okay to make mistakes; you just have to recover from them and do better next time."
Mutts Sauce
"Even though I don't come from a family of entrepreneurs, John made me see it was still possible, and I launched four months after we started working together. Everything that SCORE offered was exactly what I needed to get the business started."
Freedom at the Mat
"Dean counseled me on how to negotiate with my suppliers, including terms and conditions and pricing. He was very critical in helping me set realistic goals and expectations to launch smartly with my limited resources. He also pushed me to create a business plan and helped me stay on top of creating and executing my own marketing plan."
STEAMed Drones
"As an entrepreneur, over 50% of the things we run into are things we know nothing about. It’s amazing to get two or three SCORE mentors to help you navigate these things so you can grow your business."
Digital with Danielle
"You can do so much more when you get help. My SCORE coach taught me that I can have premium clients. I learned to ignore my initial feelings of ‘imposter syndrome’ because I have more experience in this than others. I have a lot to offer."
Helping Individuals Succeed
"No one should be afraid to do something because they don’t know the answer."
URSULA'S ABOUT PHACE RITTENHOUSE STUDIO
Small Business Journey
"There’s not enough ink in my pen to write about everything that’s great about my mentor, Mr. Mark Maguire. What makes him an exceptional mentor are the qualities he possesses naturally: his willingness to share his genius, skills, knowledge, and expertise - at a level that’s not condescending or confusing - in a concise manner that makes it easy to understand."
Resources for Black Entrepreneurs
Not sure where to begin? Check out these articles and resources for Black entrepreneurs.
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Jasper County - SCORE Entrepreneurship
Join SCORE SC Lowcountry's Minority Small Business Program & The Concerned Citizens of Jasper County for an entrepreneurship event. Read more
Lowcountry Minority Business Program
Minority business owners may apply for financial awards through our Minority Small Business Program. SCORE offers orientation workshops to explain how to apply for these awards. Read more
Minority Small Business Program Awards
Michelle Gaston (SCORE Program Leader) introduces the Minority Small Business Program. Learn what several business owners, award winners 2021, think of it. Read more
SCORE Awards Grants For Minority-Owned Businesses
News report by Fox 28 Savannah highlights program offered by SCORE SC Lowcountry for minority business owners. Read more
Coastal with Kathryn | Luana Sellars Interview
Kathryn Mademann, on her show "Coastal with Kathryn", interviews Luana Graves Sellars on the significance of the Gullah community and Mitchellville on Hilton Head Island. Read more
Should You Get Certified as a Woman-owned, Veteran-owned or Minority-owned Business?
View the on-demand course modules, then attend this live Q&A dedicated to answering your questions about Supplier Diversity & Certifications. Read more
Getting Certified as a Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned or Veteran-Owned Business
View the on-demand course modules, then attend this live Q&A dedicated to answering your questions about Supplier Diversity & Certifications. Read more
Supplier Diversity & Certifications - You Have Questions, SCORE Has Answers
View the on-demand course modules, then attend this live Q&A dedicated to answering your questions about Supplier Diversity & Certifications. Read more
11 Funding Options for Black-Owned Businesses
To help Black-owned businesses identify the best funding sources available, we asked CEOs and business leaders this question for their best insights. From the iFundWomen of Color Program to Reign Ventures, there are several options available particularly for Black business owners to secure funding for their businesses.
Live Q&A - Expert Advice and Solutions for Black-Owned Business Challenges
Join our National Black Business Month webinar as we celebrate with a panel of experts dedicated to answering your business questions. Read more
Starting a Black Beauty Business
Now that most cities and states have lifted mask mandates and people are returning to their offices, women are buying more cosmetics. They are purchasing 70% more than they did pre-pandemic, according to the “Makeup Attitudes and Usage Report” from The NPD Group.
10 Ways To Celebrate National Black Business Month
To help you best support Black-owned businesses, we asked Black business owners and leaders this question for their best recommendations. From promoting Black-owned businesses on social media to providing Black founders with more access to funding, several recommendations may help you offer the best support to Black-owned businesses as you celebrate National Black Business Month.