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First-of-its-Kind ‘Business Growth Visibility Campaign’ in Massachusetts Launched by New Task Force to Support Diverse Entrepreneurs

Initial cohort of 11 people of color, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses to receive support for public relations and business contracting opportunities to spark accelerated, equitable growth

BOSTON, MA  – The recently formed Business Growth Task Force today launched a regional first-of-its-kind ‘Business Growth Visibility Campaign’ to help level the playing field for entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities. The first group of 11 people of color, women, and LGBTQ-owned contract-ready businesses to participate in the campaign were announced today during a press conference at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 25 businesses in total will be served by the end of the year-long initiative.

The Business Growth Task Force, comprised of 19 community partners representing buyers, suppliers and business support services, and founded by Eastern Bank Foundation, is focused on creating real-time contracting opportunities for diverse small businesses through procurement and contract matchmaking as well as awareness building.

“Entrepreneurs of color, as well as women and LGBTQ-owned businesses, have been historically stifled in the small business ecosystem because of inherent bias and systemic ‘isms.’ This campaign seeks to address these challenges by building awareness, connections, and opportunity for business growth,” said Nancy Huntington Stager, President and CEO of Eastern Bank Foundation. “To grow our communities and regional economy into their full promise, we need all small business owners to be able to reach their full potential and this Task Force and ‘Business Growth Visibility Campaign’ is one good way we can move in that direction.”

“I started Waku after meeting the indigenous peoples of the Andes in my native country of Ecuador where we now sustainably-source our ingredients,” said Juan Giraldo, CEO of Waku, a beverage brand selected as part of the campaign. “I’m thrilled to be receiving support from this new program to gain media exposure, grow business contacts, and continue to support Ecuadorian farmers who bring us our tea.”

Campaign seed-funding from Eastern Bank Foundation is helping provide the initial businesses with individualized public relations and business growth consulting services to help build relationships through media, business-to-business (B2B) purchasing, and partnerships with supplier diversity programs. Boston-based marketing firm Archipelago Strategies Group (ASG) has been awarded the contract to serve the participating businesses with the PR and growth services with additional funding being sought from other sources for the remainder of the 2024-based program.

“This program is all about supporting equity in our small business ecosystem,” said Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director of MCCI, a member of the Task Force. “One of the biggest hurdles for many Massachusetts small businesses is to win larger corporate and public contracts, and this program will help them pass those hurdles. From renewable energy engineering to home health care and sustainably-sourced beverages, these are the diverse businesses that can shape our future.”

INITIAL FIRMS SELECTED FOR ‘BUSINESS GROWTH VISIBILITY CAMPAIGN’:

Nussli118, Emmaty, KT & T Distributors, City Sealcoating, Waku, Starz & Cloudz, Mass Signal Service, Tanuk dba Meal Mantra, Back to Home Healthcare Services, Nicoya Construction, and Seaport Consulting.

“We have over 20 years of experience in electrical contracting, but locating and catering to our audience in a digital world has been a challenge,” said Justin Sheridan, owner of Mass Signal Service. “It’s an honor to be recognized as part of this founding cohort, and we can’t wait to hit the ground running to build more visibility for our company.”

Members of the Business Growth Task Force include: 

Asian Business Empowerment Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, BDC Community Capital, Black Economic Council of MA, Builders of Color Coalition, Center for Women & Enterprise, Commonwealth Kitchen, Emerald Cities Collaborative, Foundation for Business Equity/MCCI, Interise, Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston, LEAF, LISC Boston, MA LGBT Chamber of Commerce, New Majority Capital, Pacesetters, Small Business Strong, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Women Of Color Entrepreneurs (WOCE), and Eastern Bank Foundation.

Founders:

Contact: Stephanie Morales, [email protected], 401-688-3168

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