Washington, DC- The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), will launch a new micro-grant and loan program to help Black-owned businesses in the Gulf region including: Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana with funding that alleviates the impact of previous storms and weather disasters that have impacted business operations. Sponsored by BP, this program enables small firms to identify an area of distress in their business that has hindered their growth over the past two years.

The U.S. Black Chambers (USBC) partnership with BP the oil and gas company, will provide funding to Black-owned businesses in the gulf coast region. USBC President Ron Busby says “partnerships with corporations like BP enable us to continue to demonstrate the power of corporate relationships that align with the critical needs of providing capital to Black-owned businesses.”

The program will be managed by two USBC member Chambers – the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (NORBC) and the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC).

Kelisha Garrett, Executive Director, NORBC, says “A program that provides grants and loans, depending on need, is critical in enabling small firms to recover and have a solid footing in growing their revenue.”

Supporting the program is the Louisiana Black Chamber Foundation, led by David St. Etienne and the BCBCC led by Larry Holman, President. “We have not only streamlined the application and approval process but are providing tools and resources to help firms be successful long after they receive funding,” replied Mr. Holman.