What’s next for Rock Hill region’s Black-owned businesses? Prize money, a new home
When a small group of Rock Hill entrepreneurs gathered five years ago, they knew Black business owners in the city faced challenges. They couldn’t have imagined what challenges awaited.
The Black Economic Leadership League of Rock Hill will celebrate its five-year anniversary in March. Five years of small business support, training, mentoring and financial backing. Much of that time during a worldwide pandemic that rattled the pillars of businesses big and small.
This year the all-volunteer BELL group will host an in-person program that started online during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a 10-week crash course on business for existing and potential owners. A networking program for Black business owners launches in April. In August, BELL-Prize returns for a third round.
BELL also continues work toward its first physical location, in partnership with developer Vincent James and the Three Points of South End redevelopment project at Heckle Boulevard, Saluda Street and Albright Road. Details on a capital campaign are to come. BELL also has its first membership program to generate revenue for its mission.
It’s all work based on a simple, if not always understood, premise.
“What’s good for the African-American community of Rock Hill is good for all of Rock Hill,” said BELL board member Tadean Page.
BELL-Prize
Kimberly Mood encountered BELL through a $100,000 contribution from JM Cope Construction for what was then called the BELL-XPrize. There were 70 minority business owners who applied, and a dozen who made it through as finalists after a months-long business boot camp designed not only to award prize money, but to mentor and nurture new business.
In late 2019, Mood was one of four winners who split that prize. When a second prize followed in 2021, this time ending in smaller grants to participants, Mood donated a portion of the prize money. Now Mood serves on the BELL board and will launch the third round this summer.
“I prayed for two or three years,” Mood said of her prize money win, “and it just manifested.”
Yet more than the money, Mood said, the value in the prize program is the mentoring and connection new or aspiring minority business owners get from area professionals who have lived it. Both — the money and the mentoring — would prove even more critical than Mood initially realized.
“That money came right when I needed it,” Mood said. “I got it right before the pandemic hit. It was so helpful in navigating that.”
COVID, crisis help
BELL chair Dawn Johnson said the first five years have been a mix of issues common to business — technology, financial savvy, support — and specific to the pandemic. In either case, BELL wants to be there for entrepreneurs.
“When crisis hits, we go into action to figure out how we can make sure Black business owners, those who are most vulnerable, can survive,” Johnson said.
Board member Seberina Myles co-chairs the workforce development and education efforts at BELL. Focusing on work with unemployed and underemployed people, and on them earning a liveable wage.
“We simply want everyone in Rock Hill to live a good life,” Myles said.
Board member Cameryn Mitchell outlined existing and planned efforts like a women’s mentoring initiative, young professionals group, community leadership events and job expos. A focus on technology came up quickly due to the pandemic, and BELL adapted. There’s now a focus on tech jobs and tech career introductions, along with leadership development training.
“Our world became completely reliant on technology overnight,” Mitchell said.
BELL is a mix of professionals of different ages. There’s a focus on younger business owners who can add to the group.
“We really try to be intentional about the succession plan,” Mitchell said.
Rock Hill think tank
John Gregory is a former police chief in Rock Hill. Now Gregory serves on the BELL board. Gregory recalls the earliest conversations on how the larger business community could support Black-owned businesses.
What emerged, and became BELL, is an ongoing think tank, Gregory said. A collection of successful and talented people who want to share their experience for the next wave of business leaders.
“They envisioned creating inclusion, equity and entrepreneurial opportunities for the unrepresented 38% of Rock Hill,” Gregory said. “In turn, they invited others in the Black community to join them.”
With all the change COVID-19 brought to the new organization, and with so much change afoot now with new programs, it’s almost like a reset moving forward. What Gregory said got BELL going in the past, is what can lead it forward now.
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,” Gregory said.
This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 8:36 AM.
