Boca Raton, Fla. – The nonprofit Elevate Together initiative has announced that nearly $2.3 million was raised during the program’s inaugural year in support of its mission to help accelerate the creation, growth and prosperity of Black- and Hispanic-owned small businesses.

Through partnerships with the National Urban League and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Elevate Together, Founded by The ODP Corporation and Powered by Round It Up America, was designed to deliver education, access and aid to small businesses with five employees or less.

With an initial investment of $250,000, ODP helped launch the program in Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and West Palm Beach.

PAYING FORWARD

Throughout the year, local Urban League affiliates and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chapters in these markets received technical assistance grants to provide eligible small business owners with access to free workshops and bootcamps, professional networks, mentorship services and more.

In 2021, 89 Black- and Hispanicowned small businesses were awarded cash grants valued at $5,000 or $10,000 to help them continue to innovate, grow and prosper. Businesses were chosen based on established criteria created by local selection committees and were evaluated based upon their proposed business plans. Certified mentors from The Venture Mentoring Team were also paired with many of the businesses to provide advisory support and help guide them on their entrepreneurial journeys.

“Becoming one of the small business grant recipients from the Elevate Together initiative enabled us to hire additional staff, secure a new delivery van, and make shortterm investments to hopefully expand our product line and open a second location,” said Nadeige Sterlin, co-owner of La Paix Bakery in Miramar.

“I want to continue to pay it forward by sharing our story to help inspire other Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs to keep reaching for their dreams. If we all work together, we can collectively strengthen our community long term, while saving and creating more local jobs in the short term.”

MENTORSHIP VALUED In Atlanta, Ga., a cash grant enabled COVEDOZA “to revamp our entire homepage and invest in new business equipment that will help us expand our product offerings,” said Elisa Molina, president, creative director and chief executive officer, adding that “the mentorship has also been key in addressing key areas of growth for the business.”

“Elevate Together was created to help address systemic discrimination and historical racial disparities in business growth and profitability in Black and Hispanic communities,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer for ODP. With support from community partners and corporate partners such as NCR Foundation, and Office Depot and OfficeMax customers and associates, the program will expand its reach in 2022.

To learn more including how to participate as a small business or donate to the initiative, visit elevatetogether.org.