Courtesy Discover Peoria
Running a small business is hard. Those challenges are compounded for Black small business owners. WCBU Student Reporter Jordan Mead explores how local entrepreneurs are breaking down those barriers.
The Peoria area touts hundreds of Black entrepreneurs. But Black-owned businesses cannot thrive without the support of their surrounding communities.
Monica Arbuckle is executive managing partner for AFE Construction, and a board member of the Black Business Alliance. She says that a lack of startup resources, capital, and mentorship are all major challenges facing Black entrepreneurs in particular. But it s especially harder for minority contractors, just to build the trust, Arbuckle said. The other challenge (is) trying to build the relationships within the community to do the business.