Push for business ownership in Eugene continues during Black Business Month

EUGENE, Ore. — Black Business Month is underway, and across Eugene, there’s a push to make business ownership more than just a distant dream for budding entrepreneurs. Nationwide, the month of August is designated as a time to celebrate black businesses, entrepreneurship, and ongoing efforts to welcome black people into a lane once barred. Talicia Brown, executive director of the Black Cultural Initiative, runs a community center and the city’s first black business incubator, the People’s Collective. “To really help to support, grow, and develop black owned businesses locally. Many of the initiatives that we do are business coaching, mentorship,” said Brown. “They need support in how to start up their business, how to create a business plan, how to access capital.” Three businesses are currently housed at the People’s Collective until they’ve developed a stable infrastructure with resources Brown says can be too difficult for BIPOC owners to access. The Collective is also in partnership with the Lane Small Business Development Center hiring black business advisors to help grow the black economy. One new local business reaping the benefits of Eugene’s black entrepreneurs working to lay a stronger foundation for those to come is Yardy Rum Bar at 837...