NORTHERN REGION PROGRAM

IBE Black Business Training Institute

The Black Business Training Institute was developed to (1) ensure that participating business owners have sufficient knowledge, opportunities and relationships to sustain and grow their business; (2) help upskill entrepreneurs and provide support that ultimately helps increase their revenues; and (3) to develop community wealth and help close the racial wealth gap.

This program is offered free of charge to those who are accepted. BBTI training sessions focus on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by small business owners.

Northern Region Details & Application

NORTHERN REGION PROGRAM

IBE Black Business Training Institute

The Black Business Training Institute was developed to (1) ensure that participating business owners have sufficient knowledge, opportunities and relationships to sustain and grow their business; (2) help upskill entrepreneurs and provide support that ultimately helps increase their revenues; and (3) to develop community wealth and help close the racial wealth gap.

This program is offered free of charge to those who are accepted. BBTI training sessions focus on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by small business owners.

Northern Region Details & Application

Northern Region 11-week BBTI Cohort

The Indiana Black Expo Elkhart Chapter and IBE, in partnership with the City of Elkhart, will implement a free 11-week business management program that focuses on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by small business owners.

IBE partners will provide additional technical support and resources to maximize success for participating business owners.

Awards –A $1,000 award will be provided to the top business owner/business in the cohort that excels in the program. Each participant will receive technical support and business advice throughout the program.

Northern Region Cohort Training Topics

The 11- week course training will include the following clinics:

10/8 – Week 1: Overview of Program

10/15 -Week 2: Business Development and Planning

10/22 – Week 3: Financial Management

10/29 – Week 4: Finacial Management

11/5 – Week 5: Operational Management

11/12 – Week 6 : Marketing and Branding

11/19 – Week 7 : Technology

11/26 – Week 8 : Practicum Week

12/3 – Week 9: Procurement and Legal

12/10 – Week 10: Access to Capital

12/17 – Week 11: Pitch Prep and Business Networking

Eligibility Requirements

The following is a list of criteria, not exhaustive and eligibility requirements:

  • You must be a Minority-owned or Small Business Owner.
  • Only the business owner is eligible to participate.
  • If a business owner operates more than one business, only one application for a single business will be accepted.
  • The business name on the application must match the records with the state, county and city. Your business must be in good standing with the state, county and city.
  • The business must have a Certificate of Good Standing.
  • The business must have a business address in the Michiana area.
  • Agree to share financials and other essential information.
  • What businesses are NOT eligible to apply?
  • Businesses that are franchises and chains.
  • Liquor stores, cannabis, etc. (per SBA guidelines).
  • Independent contractors operating multilevel or network marketing businesses (such as Avon, Mary Kay, 5LINX, Pampered Chef, etc.).
  • Independent contractors working on gig platforms such as Airbnb, Fiverr, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, etc.
  • Is the information and data within my application held private?
  • Yes. Individual applicant information and data will not be shared beyond the purposes of review during the selection process. Applicant data will not be sold. Aggregated applicant data may be reported for evaluation and knowledge-sharing purposes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact us at Communications@indianablackexpo.com

Apply For the Northern Region Cohort

Program Sponsors & Partners