Boston — Boston Impact Initiative (BII) and Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) today announced a new small business coaching program and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and small business owners of color and immigrants who want to build sustainable and socially impactful businesses. The program, through a partnership between BII and LCR – funded by an SBTA grant from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) – will support for-profit, nonprofit, cooperative, and public benefit corporation enterprises owned by people of color and immigrants.

“The BII mission is to build financial, social, and political power for people and communities of color,” said BII CEO Betty Francisco. “Investing in entrepreneurs and small businesses in those communities is foundational to the success of that mission. We’re proud to partner with LCR to offer this collaborative coaching program and help these forward-thinking business owners accelerate their impact.”

Through the program, participants will receive a range of supports, including:

• Business plan coaching to understand what drives their businesses
• Education on types of capital and how to obtain the best fit for their businesses
• Understanding optimal legal structures and how to protect their businesses
• Impact assessment to help set goals for building a more sustainable and impactful business
• One-on-one business and legal coaching from BII and LCR experts

“We are proud to join forces with BII and MGCC to help close the wealth gap and to foster the sustainability of diverse businesses, the economic engines of our Commonwealth,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights.

Interested entrepreneurs and small business owners of color can learn more about the program and apply by clicking here.

About BII

BII is a nonprofit impact investment fund working to build a future where entrepreneurs of color and their communities have the financial, social and political power to create a sustainable, inclusive and equitable economy for generations to come. To accomplish this mission, BII invests integrated capital in social enterprises and community-controlled real estate to increase wealth and asset-building opportunities for communities of color. BII is also transforming the impact investing field through field-building and education so that economic and racial justice becomes integral to any community-based investment strategy. Learn more at https://bostonimpact.org.

About Lawyers for Civil Rights

Lawyers for Civil Rights works with communities of color and immigrants to fight discrimination and foster equity through creative and courageous legal advocacy, education, and economic empowerment. In partnership with law firms and community allies, we provide free, life-changing legal support to individuals, families, and small businesses.