SCORE for Black Entrepreneurs

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Young black entrepreneur working on laptop in auto shop.

Right now, Black entrepreneurs are facing unique barriers to business success.

At SCORE, we’re working to change that by removing those obstacles and providing Black small business owners with access to personalized support. That’s why we created SCORE for Black Entrepreneurs: to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go.

Black-owned businesses were more likely to seek – but less likely to receive – outside funding.

- The Megaphone Of Main Street: The Impact of Covid-19, Impact on Black-owned Small Businesses

White-owned businesses versus Black-owned businesses approval for new loans

NEW LOANS

  • 26.5% of White-owned businesses applied, and 54.2% were approved.
  • 47.7% of Black-owned businesses applied, and 22.3% were approved.
White-owned businesses versus Black-owned businesses delays for existing loan payments

DELAYS FOR EXISTING LOAN PAYMENTS

  • 19.9% of White-owned businesses applied for delays, and 72.4% were approved.
  • 39.8% of Black-owned businesses applied for delays, and 33.6% were approved.

SCORE is Here to Help.

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.

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses.

Building a small business might seem daunting, but it’s more possible than you think. See how we’ve helped other aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.


“I can’t adequately express how much of a lifeline SCORE has been to us.”

- Rozalynn Goodwin, GaBBY Bows


"Everything that SCORE offered was exactly what I needed to get the business started."

- Charlynda Scales, Mutt's Sauce


“No one should be afraid to do something because they don’t know the answer.”

- Derschaun Sharpley, Helping Individuals Succeed Agency

Ursula Augustine

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."

- Ursula Augustine, Ursula's About Phace Rittenhouse Studio

Read Ursula's Story

Get Mentoring Support.

What if you could sit down with someone who has been in your shoes? As a SCORE client, it’s as easy as that. We have a diverse group of experienced, volunteer mentors available to answer your questions about starting and growing a small business.

Find Your SCORE Mentor

Woman on laptop

Get Involved.

When you volunteer with SCORE, you change individual lives, support small businesses, and empower entire communities. We’re always looking for people to share their time, skills, and knowledge. No matter your background, we have a perfect role for you.

Become a SCORE volunteer

Learn What You Need to Know.

We recently 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.

SCORE’s Resource Library includes hundreds of free articles, templates, tools, videos, and checklists to meet any business need. You can sort by entrepreneur type, topic, and business stage to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Get Started

Not sure where to begin? Check out these articles and resources for Black entrepreneurs.

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Find a Workshop near you:
Video

SCORE Call For Volunteers

Article Language: English

SCORE SC Lowcountry offers great volunteer opportunities; join our award-winning SCORE chapter and share your business expertise. Read more
Video

Coastal with Kathryn | Luana Sellars Interview

Article Language: English

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
Article

Lowcountry Minority Business Grants

Article Language: English

The Lowcountry Minority Small Business Support Program enables minority business owners to apply for grants, to support direct company operations. This program is sponsored by... Read more
Press Release

Minority Small Busines Support Program

Article Language: English
September 8, 2021

SCORE SC Lowcountry announces a new program, the Minority Small Business Support Program, that will help small minority-owned businesses with grant awards to support direct... Read more
Recorded Webinar

Keys to a Successful Black Owned Business Startup

Event Language: English
February 22, 2022, 1:00pm EST

If you're an entrepreneur with a good idea, join our live webinar to learn how to plan your start-up business and succeed in your industry. Read more

View Webinar
Recorded Webinar

Small Business Resilience - Tools Small Businesses Use to Remain Resilient

Event Language: English
September 14, 2021, 5:00pm EDT

We will look at the impact of COVID and delve into how the pandemic has affected U.S. small businesses and what resources are available to help businesses survive and thrive. Read more

View Webinar
Blog

9 Resources To Help Black Owned Small Businesses

Article Language: English
August 5, 2021, Brett Farmiloe

There are several resources that can help the continued growth and success of Black-owned small businesses for years to come. Here are just a few!

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