(Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success. View the first installment here, the second here, the third here and the fourth
here.
Amber Jackson was acutely aware of how much she stood out when she moved to Rhode Island.
Not because of her slight Chicago accent, or the occasional “y’all” she sprinkled into conversation – a byproduct of her years at Middle Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M University – but because she is Black.
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago and attending college in the South, Jackson was used to being at least one of several Black people in any given situation. In Rhode Island, she found herself the only one in the room.
“It was strange,” recalled Jackson, who works full time as a travel and financial manager for Brown University’s athletic teams. “It took a lot to get used to.”
Fast forward three years, and Jackson, 29, has settled in, finding pockets of diversity. But she still feels the network and support for people of color are lacking, particularly for young transplants such as herself.
Bringing together Black professionals is a central focus of Jackson’s business, The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop. The shop sells the custom blends of loose-leaf tea she creates, but it’s also a place to foster a sense of community and belonging for people like her. When she launched the business in 2019, she started networking and panel discussions – dubbed “tea talks.” Since COVID-19 hit, the events have switched to a virtual format, but the need for and interest in shared discussions in the community has only increased.
From what I’ve quickly noticed, people of color are not on the fortunate side of the [economic] gap.
“Providence doesn’t have an issue in getting us here,” she said of people of color. “[The issue] is keeping us here, because why would I stay if I don’t see [people like] me here.”
Jackson continues to see major gaps in the resources and support available for the minority community, whether it be in education, economic resources or business support. While she never faced the oft-described problem of systemic racism in banking – Jackson bootstrapped her business – she struggled to gain a foothold when starting out. For example, a local organization intended to provide resources to Black business owners told her it couldn’t help her until she had a business plan.
Since being featured as a “spotlight” business by Venture Cafe Providence, she’s made connections with people and programs that can help her grow her business. But that only happened after a year of running her business – largely going it alone, she said.
“There are resources out there, and people are looking, but it’s not always clear it’s there and available,” she said.
She said she was surprised by the lack of state grant programs for small-business owners – most assistance takes the form of loans. “You don’t want to owe money to the state,” she said.
1. Do you believe racism is keeping minorities from starting businesses in the Ocean State, or succeeding when they do? Although I’m not from here, the economic gap in [Providence] and [the] state seems very clear to me. From what I’ve quickly noticed, people of color are not on the fortunate side of that gap. Being on the other side typically means less resources, lack of representation, lack of access, and higher interest rates. All of which are forms of systemic racism. All of which, many times, keeps people of color from starting businesses or being successful in business.
2. How dependent do you think most minority-owned businesses are on the support of fellow minorities? Is that a sustainable business model? When I first started my business, the majority of people that supported me were also Black because that’s who is in my immediate circle. As my business has grown, the demographic of my supporters naturally became more diverse. I think we at first depend on the support of other minority-owned businesses because they can relate to us and our experiences on a personal level. In the long run, it’s not the most sustainable because as your business and brand grows, you have a better idea of who your audience is. Once you’ve figured that out, you can re-strategize and customize your branding to those people. However, when just starting your business, I think it’s important to focus on whatever audience you already have, which for many minorities is other minorities.
3. What one thing could Rhode Island do to boost the odds for minority-owned business success? Providing larger-sized grants for minority businesses, creating a platform for our businesses in the main downtown area and providing clear benefits and instructions on becoming a registered and licensed business.
4. Are you aware of any minority-owned businesses that have been forced to turn somewhere other than a bank for a loan? Do you believe the state’s lending institutions generally treat minorities fairly? No. I’m not knowledgeable about business loans or the state’s lending institution statistics.
5. If another minority entrepreneur asked you where they could turn to for support for their business, where would you direct them? I’d suggest they go out of their way to establish relationships with other businesses that align with their brand, whether it’s to collaborate with them on a project or to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I think it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded people, people who can relate to you and people who push you.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
