By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore is home to a number of local businesses and organizations providing opportunities and supporting those within the community.
Photo credit: Photo courtesies
While many programs are geared towards adults, leaders and organizations around the city are taking the time to pour into Baltimore’s young entrepreneurs– especially when it comes to arts and agriculture.
“The arts a thriving community here in Baltimore, and allows our young people different opportunities to express themselves,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY. “When you spend time with young people you’ll realize they have their own ideas and genius. It’s important to put them at the center of the process and help them with whatever resources they may need.”
CLLCTIVLY is a social change organization focused on fostering Black intelligence, mobilizing resources and funding other Black social change entities.
Wooten said his organization supports young entrepreneurs through funding opportunities.
Through the Black Futures Micro-Grant, CLLCTIVLY has given over $1 million since 2019 to an array of Black-led businesses, with grants ranging from $500-$25,000.
“Often youth organizations are competing for the same resources,” said Wooten. “We allow them to see each other as resources and begin to partner and collaborate to build a greater capacity within youth-serving organizations.”
In addition to CLLCTIVLY, organizations like the Black Church Food Security Network and Joy Baltimore are also supporting young entrepreneurs on their journey. Read below to understand the work they are doing with youth entrepreneurs throughout Charm City.
Black Church Food Security Network
The Black Church Food Security Network is an organization of Black churches promoting health, power and prosperity within the Black community.
“Our organization provides internships, volunteer opportunities and other kinds of strategic partnerships for younger people who have an interest in agriculture and food justice,” said Rev. Heber Brown III, founder and executive director of the Black Church Food Security Network. “We also do workshops to help young people learn about farming.”
Brown said his organization also teaches young people about the intersection of farming and African-American history.
“We have a lot of rich heritage and history when it comes to farming and food,” said Brown. “Unfortunately, this is not something that is regularly introduced to young people in schools.”
Brown said entrepreneurs in the agricultural space have long been an integral part of making change in the Black community- especially while working with young people during the Civil Rights Movement.
“Young college students and activists went down South to organize as a part of Freedom Summer. Sometimes they would get arrested for participating in civil disobedience,” said Brown. “Many times it was Black farmers who bailed them out. Farmers could put up their property to help bail somebody out of jail.”
Still today, Black farmers and people in the agricultural space like Brown are helping younger generations and providing opportunities for them.
One young entrepreneur who has benefited from the support of the Black Church Food Security Network is Naima Winston, 16.
Winston has a baking business called Cocina Naima, which is based in Baltimore. She started the baking business in December 2019 after appearing on season eight of the “Kids Baking Championship” on the Food Network.
“My mom and I found out about the Black Church Food Security Network and the farmer’s market they held after church,” said Winston. “Once I opened my business I was able to sell my baked goods. A lot of people, every week, would look forward to eating my baked goods.”
She said the opportunity the Black Church Food Security Network provided and the support of the buyers kept her motivated to keep going and participate in more events.
Cocina Naima offers all types of baked goods such as cupcakes, donuts, french macarons and parfaits.
J.O.Y Baltimore
J.O.Y (Just Our Youth) Baltimore is a grassroots organization aimed at connecting children who are experiencing homelessness with support while working to put an end to youth homelessness. One of the ways it supports Baltimore youth is by helping them start businesses.
“We get a lot of youth who want to be actors and rappers,” said Lonnie Walker, founder and CEO of JOY Baltimore. “What we do is connect them to people who are already doing the work.”
JOY Baltimore has worked in partnership with organizations such as Baltimore Center Stage, a performing arts theater, and introduced youths to celebrity makeup artists and local musicians.
“Over the last ten years, we’ve had 15 people who have become successful in entertainment,” said Walker.
The post Baltimore leaders speak on empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
