Charleston Metro Chamber Of Commerce: Chambers Partner To Launch South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator

Press release from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce:

September 13, 2021

Three Chamber organizations from across South Carolina jointly announced today that Bank of America has provided a $500,000 grant to launch a statewide Minority Business Accelerator program. This program will be led by the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chambers and is set to launch in January of 2022.

“Minority businesses are an integral piece of our economy and our state’s ability to thrive,” said Bryan Derreberry, President and CEO, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Through the support of Bank of America and the partnership with the Columbia and Greenville Chambers, we are establishing a statewide program that will provide access to education, resources and opportunities to cultivate growth for high-potential minority businesses.”

The Minority Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential minority-owned firms by providing targeted training, access to business coaches, and access to large corporations. Participants leave the program with a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan to guide their development. The $500,000 grant from Bank of America to fund this program expansion is part of the bank’s $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity in local communities.

“Together with the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chamber organizations, we are working to do our part to support minority-owned businesses, and we hope to encourage others as well,” said Kim Wilkerson, president, Bank of America South Carolina. “Here in South Carolina, Bank of America remains focused on creating opportunity in the areas of jobs, training, and workforce development as these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.”

This press release was produced by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.