Following on from our August newsletter and the Unlocking Opportunity report on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) business support. MBL Academy is delighted to have contributed to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), report on ‘The BAME Business Owners COVID-19 Response: Voices from the Grass Roots’. 

 

The report was written and compiled by APPG Special Advisor, Diana Crouch against the backdrop of the global impact of the 'Black Lives Matter'. It highlights the structural inequalities within the small business ecosystem has been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.

 

This report and the Unlocking Opportunity written by CREME, Aston University, estimate that the contribution to the British economy from BAME businesses is in the region of £25-32b each year, however when it came to accessing government funding for BAME business owners, an online poll during the BAME COVID-19 Response forum revealed that 68% of BAME business owners had been unable to access funding.  The impact of these inequalities identified clear gaps in the government’s measures to adequately address the emergency needs of BAME business owners during this period. 

 

Sue Bedward, founder of MBL Academy, is now actively working towards ensuring that inclusively is integrated into the business support structure to collectively address the needs and challenges faced by BAME business owners. 

 

We are delighted to work with Development Manager of Staffordshire and West Midlands at the Federation of Small Business (FSB), Karen Woolley LL.B (Hons), to address the importance of business support being accessible in areas such as, access to finance, leadership and management training, international trade and mentoring. 

 

Karen said: “Thank you so much for agreeing to work with FSB as a volunteer. Your experience and expertise will be of huge value to the work that we carry out on behalf of our members. I look forward to working with you as part of our wonderful Staffordshire, Birmingham and Black Country Team!." 

 

MBL Academy is also a member of the APPG and will be working closely with the committee to address the challenges faced by BAME businesses access to Business Support. 

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You can download the full report here:

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