In these troubled times, Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole are extending solidarity and support to fellow black business people who are subjected to racial oppression.
Millennia of racial injustice and systemic oppression eventually came to a head in the tumultuous year of 2020, when the brutal killings of Black people gained worldwide media attention. Amidst months-long protests, the author/entrepreneurial husband-wife duo, Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole have decided to give back to their community in their way. By preparing, supporting and mentoring future business owners from the Black community.
Authors of Best Selling self-help book ‘Self-Made: The Definitive Guide to Start-up Success’, Miller-Cole and Cole observe three years of mentoring and training entrepreneurs in the world of the start-up business. For them, the rollercoaster ride of establishing and spearheading a business isn’t just about the practicality or functionalities; it’s about resilience, mental strength and human vulnerabilities. The duo realises there isn’t a shortage of ideas for businesses in the Black community, but rather a lack of visibility, appropriate marketing, credibility and upward growth. Every potential business owner from the community needs more examples of success stories, and general positivity tied to the idea of becoming an entrepreneur.
There’s no one better suited for the job than the authors, who’ve spent 14 years guiding and providing counselling services, to help others establish and build their businesses. However, they face problems like any other non-profit organisation dedicated to bettering the community and these obstacles are presented in the form of having to find ways to finance and fund their schemes.
Luckily, a community steered crowdfund has helped finance the initial stages of Miller-Cole and Cole’s scheme. The international law firm, CMS London has also offered 2 scholarships to anyone from the programme. The scholarship will include three free web conferences, where experts will coach the scholars on key topics of employment, contracts and the basics of real estate. The scholars will also be sponsored for 6 months and will be provided up to five hours of support for their betterment.
Bianca and Byron are aiming for longevity with this fund, in which they’re undertaking a ‘Pay it Forward’ strategy. With this strategy, recipients of the scholarship will be supported for 6 months, and have their fee reduced by 50% or 100%. Once the recipient’s business has found its footing in the playing field, they are urged to pay the cost of their training and mentorship back into the fund to help contribute in someone else’s journey the same way.
With this initiative the entire community can lay the foundation for not only themselves but for future Black business owners as well.
Ajeta Sinha
Ajeta is passionate for excellence with commitment towards work. She founded BO Herald with an aim to create a cutting-edge online platform for readers who seek unlimited access to quality news pieces. She jots down articles for Economy section.
