Are You Like Rasheed?
Creating an inclusive economy where all members of the community can thrive is crucial to building a sustainable and resilient city. By fostering opportunities for entrepreneurs of color and other minorities we can help break down barriers of exclusion and form the meaningful connections that build wealth for us all. Baltimore’s Office of Sustainability and our network of partner organizations offer a wide range of resources and programs to help you pursue your entrepreneurial vision and promote equitable economic development. Know of another organization that should be on the list? Let us know at sustainability@baltimorecity.gov.
See how the Baltimore Sustainability Plan empowers community voices and the progress we’ve made as a city in our annual sustainability plan reports.
Resources for Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Center – Morgan State University’s Entrepreneurial Center offers information and networking opportunities through a variety of mediums including events, conferences, and podcasts, including the currently airing Black Fathers as Entrepreneurs, and two now-concluded shows with years of episodes archived, Talkin’ Shop and the Briefcase Radio Workshop.
Moms As Entrepreneurs is a Baltimore-based organization providing resources, tools, and networking opportunities to launch and grow small businesses. MOMs offers an eight-week intensive Entrepreneurship Academy for moms (and dads) seeking to start businesses.
Open Works is a fabrication space designed to support the burgeoning maker economy, with a commitment to giving entrepreneurs of color greater access to the creative arts.
The Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development is an entrepreneurially-focused city government agency tasked with creating and maintaining minority and women-owned businesses in Baltimore. MWBD partners with the Small Business Resource Center to offer tools, training, and education opportunities, as well as networking events.
Support Black-Owned Business and Entrepreneurs
#SpendBlack – Join BMe Community’s initiative in supporting Black-owned businesses and encouraging people in cities across America to #SpendBlack.
BmoreBlack.com is Baltimore’s Black-owned business directory featuring businesses, large and small, across industries from accounting to videography and everything in between.
Encourage and Support Entrepreneurial Youth
CityWide Youth Entrepreneurship — Rasheed Aziz’s program focuses on skills and entrepreneurial training for youth in urban communities
EYE for Change (Engaging Youth Entrepreneurs) is a Baltimore-based nonprofit working to inspire and empower youth to become entrepreneurs.
Our D.R.E.A.M. (Developing Resources to Empower All Minds) Foundation is a nonprofit focusing on entrepreneurial and financial literacy education for youth in underserved communities. D.R.E.A.M. operates the Youth Entrepreneurship Startup program, a week-long free summer program for high school students, and holds an annual Youth Business Summit.
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship provides education opportunities and programs to youth from low-income communities in business and entrepreneurship.
CUPs (Creating Unlimited Possibilities) Coffeehouse and Kitchen is a workforce development program that employs and empowers disconnected youth in Baltimore. Participants aged 16-24 can enroll in Project I CAN, a year-long job skills, life skills, and leadership development program.