Cincinnati has a strong organization ecosystem today, led by the AACC, ULGSO, the MBA and key partners such as Mortar, CMBC, GCMI, Lightship Foundation and others, however,

• There is not a consistent, reliable, and substantial funding source that allows these organizations to concentrate on the work instead of constantly chasing funding and altering programming to meet the needs of funding requirements.

• The amount of capital being invested individually into these organizations is not enough to overcome the systemic and generational barriers faced by Black owned businesses.
  

It creates an organization with capacity to coordinate the work of the current Black business ecosystem to:

• Direct entrepreneurs to growing industries and sectors
• Identify gaps,
• Avoid program duplication,
• Supply infrastructure and back-office support
• Create an ongoing vehicle for the sharing of best practices, resources, and
• Provide technical assistance.
  

Lincoln and Gilbert will be the first time all the organizations working in the Black business ecosystem are formally aligned and the first time we have this level of financial commitment and investment in Black owned businesses, which will result in transformative change.