U.S. Bank-Elavon VP Terra Wallace leads investments in Black businesses
Rolling out sat down with Terra Wallace, vice president of education and engagement for U.S. Bank-Elavon, to discuss her leadership initiative to support Black businesses and communities. The Fortune 500 company announced a $450,000 investment in the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs.
Can you share with us a little bit about the journey and how you got here before announcing the investment?
I came across RICE, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs in March of 2020. We were going through the pandemic, and I knew a lot of Black businesses were struggling. You know, the pandemic affected small Black businesses very differently than it affected other small businesses, or non-minority businesses, and I was trying to find a way to continue to encourage our Black small businesses during that time and give them hope and resources as they were out trying to figure it out. I came across the C
U.S. Bank provides $450K to Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
(Photo provided by U.S. Bank)
ATLANTA (May 3, 2021) U.S. Bank is providing a three-year, $450,000 investment in the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), an Atlanta-based organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners.
RICE is the largest business incubation hub in the United States dedicated exclusively to developing Black entrepreneurs. In addition to the grant, U.S. Bank employees will provide education and inspiration to emerging entrepreneurs who are seeking counsel in the areas of finance, technology, payments and innovation.
“Our support of the Russell Center is consistent with the U.S. Bank Access Commitment, a long-term approach to building wealth and providing access in diverse communities,” said Jamie Walker, CEO of Elavon, and head of merchant payments at U.S. Bank. “U.S. Bank is committed to empowering busi