June 17, 2022
Juneteenth is a time for reflection and remembrance of a day that marked the end of a terrible era in our country’s history–slavery. It is also a time to celebrate and recognize the countless contributions African Americans have made to our society and industry, offering an excellent time to spotlight Black entrepreneurs who are building successful businesses while bringing tremendous benefits to their communities.
We are excited to share stories from our own portfolio of small business owners empowering their communities with quality jobs that pay above area average, offer growth opportunities and make tangible economic impact.
How NET is Changing Lives Through Quality Jobs
North End Teleservices (NET) of North Omaha is the largest African-America owned business in Nebraska, employing more than 160 people. Owner, president and CEO Carmen Tapio stays focused on the impact these jobs have on individuals, their families and the surrounding area.
NET created Nebraska’s first U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program and also provides its employees with tuition reimbursement, helping to grow local talent and provide them with training for upward mobility. Additionally, NET goes above and beyond in providing support for its employees, from the household stabilizing benefits such as healthcare and other wealth creation opportunities, to the shuttle the company runs to make sure its employees get to work. All this investment in their employees is also paying off for the larger local economy. For every job created at NET, Tapio reports that an impact of $221,074 is felt in the community annually.
All-In Recruiting: Championing Diverse Talent, Taking an Active Role in the Community
All-In Recruiting is another example of a Black-owned business making a major difference in its community. Owner and chief recruiter, Lauren Anderson saw the need to address the widespread problem of women and minorities lacking access to jobs in the tech industry. For the last five years, the company has championed minority recruiting at businesses of all sizes, from small firms to Fortune 100 companies.
All-in is also heavily embedded in the local community. On the weekends, it converts its offices into a shared workspace where people can work on growing their career opportunities. The company also hosts a yearly event—Shark-ish—that allows young people and adults to participate in a shark tank style event to pitch their ideas to investors. The winners receive funding to help make their business ideas come true. The efforts of Anderson go beyond the mission of the company. They truly are embedded in the local community, providing services and events to nurture talent and provide opportunity.
How Champion Controls is Nurturing Local Talent
For more than 20 years, owner and CEO of Champion Controls, Chantal Wadderburn has worked with some of the industry’s best design engineers to develop innovative solutions for the movable bridge, water and watershed industries. Through her leadership, Champion Controls has provided control systems for the majority of bridge rehabilitations across Florida along with work in Canada, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New York.
Wadderburn employs more than 30 engineers, fabricators, welders, wire technicians, warehouse workers and administrators that represent the diversity of their Fort Lauderdale community. While she seeks out specialty talent, Wadderburn engages with local workforce agencies to attract that talent from underrepresented communities. The company also offers mentorship programs in local schools to provide a foundation to students that helps set them on a path to financial stability. These efforts are important in building up the local talent pool and giving people access to quality jobs.
Our Commitment to Helping Minority-Owned Businesses
Champion Controls, All-In and North End Teleservices are precisely the types of businesses that Advantage Capital’s Empower the Change Fund was created to support. By making funding more accessible and equitable, this targeted growth capital fund will empower and enable entrepreneurs of color who are advancing innovation in America, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. As we begin in earnest to invest from this fund, we look to these and other portfolio companies for inspiration on the impact that equitable funding and a focus on long-term outcomes and generational change are bringing, and can bring, at scale to African American entrepreneurs, business owners and communities.
We know that Juneteenth, and every day of the year, is an opportunity to reflect on the great accomplishments of Black entrepreneurs. From their business success to their amazing impact on the lives of their employees and surrounding communities, these entrepreneurs are truly change makers.
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