Anyone who knows anything about High Point knows that, in recent years, there’s been a massive and concerted effort to rejuvenate that city’s downtown.
One new organization that’s gearing up to begin operations this summer – the High Point Equity Project – is all about making sure that minorities and women have the ability to participate in those economic opportunities.
The Equity Project has been likened by city officials to a small business incubator for minority and women-owned businesses, as well as for “economically-challenged” and “non-traditional” businesses in High Point.
As the name implies, project backers hope the new small business support organization helps bring equity to the city’s downtown revitalization effort and to the city more broadly. The Equity Project will do so by providing select businesses technical assistance and entrepreneurial guidance. It will also help businesses acquire financing at reasonable interest rates and help them build “strategic partnerships that lead to success.”
The Equity Project will open its doors in downtown High Point this summer.
Some backing that has made the service possible are a $500,000 challenge-gift from High Point University as well as the High Point Community Foundation’s agreement to act as the project’s fiduciary agent.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners has also thrown in some financial support. Earlier this year, the board voted unanimously to contribute $100,000 of county taxpayer money to the effort.
Chief Operating Officer of Business High Point Rachel Moss said the High Point Equity Project – working with its partners Change Often and the National Institute of Minority Economic Development – will provide access to capital, and, more importantly, access to “wrap-around services that our underserved minority- and women-owned businesses in High Point historically have not had.”
To find out more about the Equity Project – and how you can benefit from it, participate with it or contribute to it – visit www.changeoftenllc.com.
Every time I see the word “equity”, I see what is coming. Advancing one group over another, diminishes the other. If there are legitimate welfare programs, they should apply to everyone, not a select few. Such as “free school lunches”. For one thing, there is no “free lunch”, and even if there were, they should be for all students.
So the city wants to provided tax-payer-funded schools for 3 and 4 year olds, and tax-payer food; as their expanding function of public baby-sitters. No wonder the prevalence of single-parent families. Fathers are not supporting their families precisely because they have reduced incentive – the govt will do it for them.
Racism and racial basis is real and has had a real impact on minority owned businesses. Are you in the belief that that statement is untrue? Conservatives love to claim that Democrats take the minority vote for granted but it is Miller’s point of view that has made the party more and more unwelcome to minority voters. First step for positive change is to admit there is a problem….after than, it isn’t overly complicated.
Y E S !!!!!!
There’s a whole lot of us who will shout from the rooftops that your statement is untrue. If it doesn’t fit the liberal narrative it must be wrong. If there’s not a crisis you must create one. These are just some of the favorite go to “issues.” That stuff, on the rare occasion it does occur, affects EVERYONE. Not a specific race, or class of people, EVERYONE. Most of us with common sense realize that these liberal hit topics and are in and of themselves racist and until you all stop bringing them to the table, you will continue to have “racial bias.”
Hey there good ol’ buddy – not sure what barstool you get your facts from. More single parent households are single moms and most of them are white. And – with fathers bailing – again – its about an even split. Being a bad father isn’t a white or black or brown or any racial thing – its a male thing. It’s men who are irresponsible. These programs benefit all kids, so, no, your tax dollars (whatever they may be) aren’t benefitting one race over another like you are afraid of. If you really want to help – try educating fathers on how to be better men and invite ALL fathers since they are all equally likely of being guilty of your fears.
Sure, less kids are in homes with married parents – but more are living in homes with their parents it’s just fewer people are getting married and still co-habitating and starting families.
If you want to dive into the facts and uncover some evidence for your claims – here is a start.
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/04/25/the-changing-profile-of-unmarried-parents/#:~:text=Among%20solo%20parents%2C%2042%25%20are,cohabiting%20moms%20(30%25%20vs.
Sigh. You can help ALL businesses by reducing the tax rate, and regulations.
The people in Guilford County are voting themselves a free lunch.
Cue the reverse racism and sexism commentary.
Called it again! You don’t even have to read the articles to know how the bright, insightful, thoughtful readership will respond!
Those people are going to hell in gasoline soaked underwear.
White males need not apply.
Let’s be frank. This money stream is available to everyone…who’s not a white man.
And they have the nerve to call it equity.
It’s pure racism.
There was no one to help when I started a small business. I had to put up the equity myself and put in the sweat to make it work and fore go pay when things were tight. Either provide this for all regardless of their sex or race or forget it. I am sick of hearing this equity stuff. If you want to succeed, get off your duff and do it. That is what the rest of us old white men had to do.
AB – should change that to BS – think about your statements and re-read the article. It’s about access – access that has been denied for many reasons. Instead of fearing equal access let if happen – you may find out that others can be successful given opportunities. The evidence suggesting unfair practices is overwhelming – if you choose to believe in alternate facts and a narrative suggesting that ‘old white men’ are somehow underrepresented or displaced from access I really don’t know what to tell you.
Dude you can take your mess someplace else. I have personally applied for benefits and seen firsthand how hard working white males with families are treated by “the system.” It’s nothing short of a travesty. The system caters to certain classes of people and leans heavily toward certain racial make-up.
In Guilford County,NC they to above & beyond to disqualify hard working white males between the ages of 18 & 80. Been there, seen that, got the T-Shirt. You libs can go pound sand someplace else.
Access to every damn thing isn’t something that any of us are born with. If anyone wishes access, many times we have to seek it, ask for it, and hope we are granted that access. As human beings we all have the equal opportunity to get off our butts and seek “access” to anything we wish. Regardless of our station in life, or our demographic make up, we won’t always have that given freely no matter who we think we are or what the liberal hive mind tells us we are entitled to. We regular folks call it “life” and it it isn’t always “fair” but it is what it is.
“Access to every damn thing isn’t something that any of us are born with.”
Actually, there are HUGE disparities in access based on race, gender, location, economic status, citizen status, etc., etc., etc. Access isn’t about things that are “given freely” it’s about things that are available to be sought out.
You want examples, you say? Alright:
Those living outside of walking distance to public transportation have less access to recreational facilities that help keep them healthy and grocery stores that provide nutritious meals.
Those with less generational wealth have less access to the best teachers and programs to enrich their children’s education and growth.
Those living in impoverished neighborhoods have less access to neighbors with good advice to share about growing wealth, running a business, and finding jobs.
Those with female sexual organs have less access to make a choice about their own body if they happen to live in several southern regions.
Those without education beyond high school have less access to jobs that pay a living wage for a single person.
You seem to equate “access” as an all or nothing thing and equate it to “given freely”. You demonstrate your lack of understanding nearly daily here, so it isn’t surprising. But enjoy your rise to the top through your mediocrity and extra access that you don’t even realize that you have. Congratulations, you won the life lottery not because you work hard or are special in any way, but because you were born with privilege. Congrats again! You were born into it, what an accomplishment.