MORTAR
Training and job creation for minority, marginalized entrepreneurs
Location: U.S.
Co-sponsors: Ken Inadomi
MORTAR: Grantee in 2020, 2022-23, and 2024
MORTAR was founded in 2014 in Cincinnati, OH. Since then, it has expanded to support diverse communities in four Midwestern cities with a mission to enable historically marginalized entrepreneurs to access the resources needed to start and run successful businesses. Their goal is to launch enterprises that create jobs and circulate dollars locally. To accomplish this, MORTAR established its Entrepreneurship Academy and conducts a 15-week course taught by people of color and designed to help both existing and aspiring entrepreneurs of color learn valuable business management skills. Two-thirds of course participants are typically women.
Recognizing that entrepreneurship is both challenging and often a lonely pursuit, MORTAR provides mentoring by alumni to foster a sense of community and be a source of ongoing support for businesses. It also assists with access to funding and supports pop-up locations for businesses. Looking to the future, MORTAR wants to broaden its reach and support success for more businesses run by minority entrepreneurs.
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GRANT SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
2020: $30,000 to support expansion of the Entrepreneurship Academy course. Funds cover the research, development, design, and implementation efforts required to convert MORTAR’s existing business curriculum into a tiered digital platform accessible specifically to minority, marginalized and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs nationwide. With this expanded accessibility, MORTAR will be able to deliver specialized training and help small business owners of color start new enterprises or learn how to recover and pivot their existing businesses so they can thrive post-COVID-19.
2022-23: $25,000 to continue the conversion of MORTAR’s in-person curriculum into a tiered digital platform accessible specifically to minority, marginalized and low-to moderate income entrepreneurs nationwide. The goal is to deliver specialized training taught by people of color that will help small business owners of color discover tips to start new enterprises or learn how to recover and pivot their existing businesses post-COVID-19.
2024: $50,000 to continue the development of a digital platform for MORTAR’s 3-tiered online learning program, Entrepreneurship Academy, and enable wider delivery extending the program’s reach with wifi and mobile data access to aspiring entrepreneurs anywhere. The funds will provide a portion of staff salaries and consultant fees, update databases and create content for videos, webinars, documents and an online textbook.
GOAL
