Empower Biz

Introducing Empower Biz

Empower Biz is a comprehensive business support programme to empower and uplift businesses owned by Racially Minoritised entrepreneurs of all genders who have been running their businesses for more than 12 months.

The main target groups for support will be individuals running a business who are of African/African-Caribbean heritage including those of dual/mixed heritage born in the UK or across the globe.

The programme will be delivered by The Race Equality Centre.

The Programme

The programme will include:

• The establishment of a Black Business Peer Network
• A programme of personalised support and guidance for participating entrepreneurs
• Master classes, workshops and skill development opportunities across a number of business related themes
• Access to resources including information about funding opportunities, grants, and loans
• Showcasing and promotion opportunities, affording businesses the opportunity to profile their services and products, and through the establishment of the Leicester Black Business Conference and Exhibition
• Broker referrals to other business support services (e.g. the LLEP Business Growth Hub).
• Capital improvements at the African Caribbean Centre to create a black business hub and co-working space.

About The Race Equality Centre

The Race Equality Centre is a membership organisation becoming a company limited by guarantee in 1995 and a registered charity in 1996.  Since 2006 the organisation has operated under the name of The Race Equality Centre (TREC).

Our mission is to “challenge race discrimination, promote the benefits of a racially just society and empower individuals and communities affected by racial disadvantage”.

Our generic services delivered to individuals, communities, statutory, business, and voluntary sector include:

• Advice, support and advocacy to individuals with race discrimination claims
• Wrap-around refugee resettlement service
• Immigration advice, guidance, and support
• ESOL support for Employment
• Policy Development – equality proofing
• Community development
• Health and wellbeing information, guidance, and support
• Training, Consultancy and Research

From time to time, on recommendation from our service users, we develop and deliver bespoke projects, for example, Enterprising New Arrivals, which offered support to enable newly arrived communities to engage in the economic regeneration of their neighbourhoods, including business start-ups.