As restaurants, movie theaters and in-person events open back up and you notice more and more people outside, it can be hard to believe that we’re still in a pandemic… but we are! So many businesses are still suffering as a result of COVID-19, but did you know that there’s still help available? Today we are highlighting RebuildTheBlock Corp and their mission during the pandemic.
RebuildTheBlock is a non-profit organization, founded by Alexis Akarolo and Zelnetta Clark, seeking to provide aid to small black businesses during the pandemic. The number of Black business owners is drastically declining due to COVID. Being that both co-founders of RebuildTheBlock are Black women, they understand how hard it can be for black businesses to receive financial, educational and social aid. Akarolo is also the creative director of Lovello Elizabeth and has directly seen how the pandemic has hit her community’s businesses.
The organization’s mission is to “rebuild the block through the organic growth of resources by redistributing wealth and knowledge to the Black community,” and they’ve been doing just that! Since June of 2020, RebuildTheBlock has donated $63,000 to small Black businesses through business relief and business start-up funds! This led to the social media campaign In My Bag. The campaign’s initiative encourages consumers to #BuyBlack in support of small black-owned businesses.
Black-owned businesses in industries like health and wellness, hospitality, childcare, textile, apparel and technology are encouraged to apply for aid. Aid will be provided for up to 15 businesses directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on a quarterly basis. Some resources provided include mental and emotional health, education, STEM, and criminal justice.
“This organization was created to build our people up. We’d love to give back in any way that we can to nourish the community in wealth, knowledge and health. This is a community effort that is bigger than us.” – A. Akarolo
As the organization’s GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $200,000, they are continuing to impact and change Black communities. If you want to donate to RebuildTheBlock Corp., or apply for the next cycle of relief funding, be sure to visit their website! Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for updates! Check out our blog for more stories like this!
