October 19, 2025 • 13 mins
We spoke with Executive Director Anne-Marie Knight about the education, technical assistance, services, programs, and resources provided by the Black Business Alliance to help Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across Connecticut start, grow, and sustain their businesses.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. I'm
Alison de Murz. My guest this morning is Anne Marie Knight,
executive director from the Black Business Alliance. Good morning, good morning.
Thank you for being here today. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
It's a pleasure to be with you today.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Thank you. So for those who don't know about the
Black Business Alliance or the BBA, how did it all begin?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
So it started in twenty sixteen and it really started
in the ground in New Haven when a group of
entrepreneurs realized that we still did not have access to
the same resources and services and they met with several
members of the community for a number of community information
sessions to really hear about what was needed. And out
of those community sessions, BBA was born. So we started
(00:47):
in twenty sixteen, but really became active during COVID.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
And you mentioned the need is the need very great
in Connecticut.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
It is great in Connecticut. Wherever you have black entrepreneurs,
the need is always great. And so really, I mean
we were started to be a leveling ground in a
way to make sure that the businesses have access to capital, resources, education,
and most importantly community and so that we learn to
be able to do business with each other is also
a key function of what we do as an organization.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Would you say that those are the challenges that black
entrepreneurs face or are there more?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I think those are the key ones. It's really access
to capital, access to the support, and things like technical assistance.
But I think the biggest one is the isolation of
black businesses and folks kind of thoughts and attitudes about
black owned businesses that maybe we're not as excellent as
other types of businesses. So having our own community is
an important piece of what we do.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
And I read that your focus is on empowerment, education,
and economic equity, not charity.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
That's correct, Yes, absolutely, so this isn't about charity. Although
we're a nonprofit five oh one C three, we're also
a five or one one six, which means we're a
membership organization. So we operate very much like a chamber
with additional services. So it's about the access to resources
and networks and making sure that those are equal, just.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Like the chamber of commerce.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You're saying, correct, correct, Yeah, it's a chamber model with
something on top of it.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So let's talk about the key services and programs that
you offer. We have a list of them. Would you
like to start with business coaching and technical assistance?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Oh? Absolutely so. I think it's important for people to
understand that the BBA is funded primarily by the State
Department of Economic and Community Development to be able to
provide these business coaching and I'll say slash technical assistance
because some people call that technical assistance, but we provide
this kind of one on one or group sessions with
our business owners to help them think about strategy, marketing systems,
(02:53):
and financial management.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
And then you have the Crown Business and Leadership Program
for Women.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Oh, we're excited about that. That is a really a
new program that we just launched this year and it's
a twelve week accelerator for black women in business who
are less than three years in business trying to get
over that six giga mark. And this accelerator was really
designed to be able to help our businesses not just
know the systems and the finances that they need to
(03:22):
have in place, but this deals with mindset. So it
brought in kind of mindfulness and mindset initiative and it
combined those elements into this kind of really comprehensive financial
education and wellness program.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
The name Crown business is that because we are all queens.
Is that where you came up with the name Crown exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
It really was about the idea that we have queens,
that we're in royalty, and it's about helping to get
your business to that next level. It's also about leadership development,
not just business development.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
I love that because it's also increasing their self esteem.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Absolutely, and that is a key piece. Is self esteem.
It's also their confidence, and that was the biggest thing
we learned from this accelerator. We would hear the women
talk about they now felt so confident that they raised
their prices. After they left the program, they were able
to go out and market their businesses on another level
and bring in new contracts. So that confidence, that self esteem,
(04:20):
all of that is all wrapped up in that mindset component.
And I'm glad you mentioned the crown piece because we
had a graduation at what we call our clown t
which is an annual event, and we brought these women
together and each of them had a crowning ceremony as
part of the closing of that program. It was a
beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Oh, I love that so much. I love that. Besides that,
you also have the Funding super Highway. Let's just go
through the entire list of the programs.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
So the Funding super Highway is really an education program
and we do this in small groups, but it's designed
to help businesses understand how they can have access to capital,
and there are a number of components. We do have
what we call the Received Retreat, which is a mindfulness
wellness retreat that we do to look up finances and
our thoughts about money, how we think about money, and
(05:10):
how we get over the negative thinking that we have
about money that's been really historically ingrained and we deal
with that in the retreat. But we also have a
boot camp that we offer usually around four times a year,
so we help businesses if they're looking for grount money.
We sit down with them. It's hands on. They bring
their laptops for about a three hour session with our
(05:32):
coaches and we walk them through the application process, help
them do it with hands on in the session, but
do their application for the funding. So it's really anything
that you need to do to help you get ready
for funding so that eventually you're at the place where
you end up with a funding ready package. So if
you need to go for a loan or to a
bank or somewhere else for funding, even if it's a
(05:53):
ground opportunity. We've helped you get that.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Ready, Wow, that is really amazing. What a blessing that is. Yes, yes, yes,
Because people don't know what direction to go in, they
don't know what is out there to help them.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
That's part of the issue, right, It's not knowing where
all of the resources are. And then sometimes there are
so many resources that you're not sure which direction you
need to go in. And your funding isn't one size
fits all. Depending on your stage of business, your type
of business, what you're actually doing in business, you may
have a plan that's different from another customer or client.
(06:29):
So it really is customized. And that's what this funding
super highway is really all about.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
You have what's called the Juneteenth Supplier Diversity Event.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
What happens then, Oh, that's an exciting event. So so far,
for the last three years, we've gone to the Mohegan
Sun in collaboration with the Connecticut Sun, and we take
over the suite at the top and we take that
over for an evening. We invite about one hundred small
black owned businesses into the suite. We connect them with
(07:00):
corporations that have supplier opportunities. So what we're trying to
do is make sure they did get direct connection to
corporations that have opportunities for our business. And it's a
networking opportunity but on steroids, so they really are getting connected.
And then this last year we added another component to it,
so we really spent a lot of time this year
(07:21):
helping our businesses connect with each other. So they were
talking about things like what resources do I have, what
do you need? How can I help support you in business?
So that we were making direct connections between our businesses
to be able to do business with each other in
that space as well. And then of course it encludes
a full meal and we get to watch the Connecticut
(07:42):
Sun game at the end of it.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Is that on your website now for people to find
out more.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
About I believe it is on the website. We just
did it in June, so you'll probably be that listed there.
But all of our upcoming events you'll find listed on
the website.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Now social media, and that again is b Business Alliance.
Do you actually have a program for high school students?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We do. It's so excited to launch this program two
years ago with higher Heights Youth Empowerment. So again it's
a collaborative opportunity. We've worked with this organization that has
been in New Haven for years and they've been providing
students opportunities to go to college with some experience on
their resume. And so what we've done is create this
(08:26):
internship opportunity where there's students over the summer and we
usually take about half a dozen students can get connected
and have an internship with a black owned business in
the New Haven area for the summer. It's a paid
internship and then they have experience on their resume before
they go to college. So this is one of those
things where we're helping to level that playing field, making
(08:47):
sure they've got that experience before they go and exposing
them to entrepreneurship as well.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
You lost me at paid internship, Anne Marie. There are
no more paid internships.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So scary, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (09:01):
M hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
It's so scary. But this is a unique program. It's
funded through the City of New Haven and we are
trying to find ways to expand this around the state.
But the students that we've had, I mean, I could
tell you about one student she met us. She was
so shy when she came to us she could hardly speak.
By the time she left us, she was doing a
presentation about what she wanted to do with the rest
(09:22):
of her life, including being a vet. And then this
year we followed up with her and I found out
she's doing an internship in a veterinary office this year.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Wow, how beautiful. What other results have you seen from
people who've had a positive impact from working with the
Black Business Alliance.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, that's a great question, so large to small. So
I'm going to just tell you about maybe two or
three everything from We have a small grant program that
we operate through the state, and so we've given somebody
something like one thousand dollars to five thousand dollars. And
I remember this one young lady. She had a cake
business that she was on in the New London area.
(10:01):
We were able to provide her a small ground to
be able to buy her a mobile cart so she
can go to food fares around the city, showcase cakes
and her cupcakes and sell directly from a mobile cart
that hooks to the back of our truck. So that's
a small win. And then there are things larger winds
where we helped a company that was doing medical transportation
(10:25):
and he'd been in the business for a number of
years but did not have access to the funding, and
we were able to help him generate his funding ready package.
We presented him to a loan company that we've worked
with help him get through that process, and he was
able to get over six figures to be able to
start his medical transportation company. He ended up with for
(10:47):
our medical vans and was doing services from the hospital
in his area. So things were going very well.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Wow, doesn't it feel good to help people?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It does, and that's why I'm in That's why I'm
in this work. I've been an entrepreneur myself, but I
actually have a bit of a social work background, So
helping people is what I love to do. And when
you see the results, when you can see change, when
you can see somebody's attitude change about their finances or
the way they've improved their business, or just being able
(11:17):
to give some funding to help somebody get to the
next level, that's an amazing.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Feeling, Anne Marie, Why does black business matter?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
It matters because black owned businesses that we serve in Connecticut,
from startup to establish businesses. This is the foundation of
our economy, and black businesses contribute to the national economy.
So our members range from solo founders and family businesses
to professional firms and retail owners, and the barriers they
face are real. So the access to funding, the business networks,
(11:48):
the opportunities that others often take for granted, and really
we help to connect to overcome those barriers through education, mentorship,
and advocacy. Supporting black businesses isn't just good for the caimmunity,
it's prus for our entire economy. And studies show that
when black businesses drives, they create jobs, reduce wealth gaps,
and strengthen local economies. So it's not just about a
(12:10):
black community. This is about everybody and the impact on everybody.
We all rise together.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Now, how can listeners become involved?
Speaker 2 (12:19):
There are so many ways for listeners to get involved,
and so I would say, first of all, if you're
a black owned business, get connected. If you're not already
connected where a statewide organization, get connected. It's important to
be connected to those who think like you, operate like you,
and have access to the resources. So this is about
connection and for those of you who may not be
(12:40):
black owned businesses, because you want to support the work
that we do. We do take donations at the Black
Business Alliance and you'll find that information on our website.
We can always always use advocates. So if you're a
corporation listening in and you know that you have opportunities
that you purchase certain products or services and maybe you
(13:00):
need a black owned business to step into that space,
reach out and we can make connections. There are so
many ways for people to support the work of the
Black Business Alliance, but more importantly the work of the
black entrepreneurs that we show. I would say the biggest
one is buy from a black owned business, Support a
black owned business, not just in Black History Month, but
all year long. Find the ways that you can support
(13:23):
black businesses.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Yes, well said, I'm speaking with Anne Marie Knight, executive
director of the Black Business Alliance. Again. That website is
the Letter b Business Alliance dot org and you can
find out more there. Thank you so much for being
here today and for serving the community.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
It's been my pleasure. Thank you so much for this
opportunity
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. I'm
Alison de Murz. My guest this morning is Anne Marie Knight,
executive director from the Black Business Alliance. Good morning, good morning.
Thank you for being here today. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
It's a pleasure to be with you today.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Thank you. So for those who don't know about the
Black Business Alliance or the BBA, how did it all begin?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
So it started in twenty sixteen and it really started
in the ground in New Haven when a group of
entrepreneurs realized that we still did not have access to
the same resources and services and they met with several
members of the community for a number of community information
sessions to really hear about what was needed. And out
of those community sessions, BBA was born. So we started
(00:47):
in twenty sixteen, but really became active during COVID.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
And you mentioned the need is the need very great
in Connecticut.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
It is great in Connecticut. Wherever you have black entrepreneurs,
the need is always great. And so really, I mean
we were started to be a leveling ground in a
way to make sure that the businesses have access to capital, resources, education,
and most importantly community and so that we learn to
be able to do business with each other is also
a key function of what we do as an organization.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Would you say that those are the challenges that black
entrepreneurs face or are there more?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I think those are the key ones. It's really access
to capital, access to the support, and things like technical assistance.
But I think the biggest one is the isolation of
black businesses and folks kind of thoughts and attitudes about
black owned businesses that maybe we're not as excellent as
other types of businesses. So having our own community is
an important piece of what we do.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
And I read that your focus is on empowerment, education,
and economic equity, not charity.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
That's correct, Yes, absolutely, so this isn't about charity. Although
we're a nonprofit five oh one C three, we're also
a five or one one six, which means we're a
membership organization. So we operate very much like a chamber
with additional services. So it's about the access to resources
and networks and making sure that those are equal, just.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Like the chamber of commerce.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You're saying, correct, correct, Yeah, it's a chamber model with
something on top of it.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
So let's talk about the key services and programs that
you offer. We have a list of them. Would you
like to start with business coaching and technical assistance?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Oh? Absolutely so. I think it's important for people to
understand that the BBA is funded primarily by the State
Department of Economic and Community Development to be able to
provide these business coaching and I'll say slash technical assistance
because some people call that technical assistance, but we provide
this kind of one on one or group sessions with
our business owners to help them think about strategy, marketing systems,
(02:53):
and financial management.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
And then you have the Crown Business and Leadership Program
for Women.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Oh, we're excited about that. That is a really a
new program that we just launched this year and it's
a twelve week accelerator for black women in business who
are less than three years in business trying to get
over that six giga mark. And this accelerator was really
designed to be able to help our businesses not just
know the systems and the finances that they need to
(03:22):
have in place, but this deals with mindset. So it
brought in kind of mindfulness and mindset initiative and it
combined those elements into this kind of really comprehensive financial
education and wellness program.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
The name Crown business is that because we are all queens.
Is that where you came up with the name Crown exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
It really was about the idea that we have queens,
that we're in royalty, and it's about helping to get
your business to that next level. It's also about leadership development,
not just business development.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
I love that because it's also increasing their self esteem.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Absolutely, and that is a key piece. Is self esteem.
It's also their confidence, and that was the biggest thing
we learned from this accelerator. We would hear the women
talk about they now felt so confident that they raised
their prices. After they left the program, they were able
to go out and market their businesses on another level
and bring in new contracts. So that confidence, that self esteem,
(04:20):
all of that is all wrapped up in that mindset component.
And I'm glad you mentioned the crown piece because we
had a graduation at what we call our clown t
which is an annual event, and we brought these women
together and each of them had a crowning ceremony as
part of the closing of that program. It was a
beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Oh, I love that so much. I love that. Besides that,
you also have the Funding super Highway. Let's just go
through the entire list of the programs.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
So the Funding super Highway is really an education program
and we do this in small groups, but it's designed
to help businesses understand how they can have access to capital,
and there are a number of components. We do have
what we call the Received Retreat, which is a mindfulness
wellness retreat that we do to look up finances and
our thoughts about money, how we think about money, and
(05:10):
how we get over the negative thinking that we have
about money that's been really historically ingrained and we deal
with that in the retreat. But we also have a
boot camp that we offer usually around four times a year,
so we help businesses if they're looking for grount money.
We sit down with them. It's hands on. They bring
their laptops for about a three hour session with our
(05:32):
coaches and we walk them through the application process, help
them do it with hands on in the session, but
do their application for the funding. So it's really anything
that you need to do to help you get ready
for funding so that eventually you're at the place where
you end up with a funding ready package. So if
you need to go for a loan or to a
bank or somewhere else for funding, even if it's a
(05:53):
ground opportunity. We've helped you get that.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Ready, Wow, that is really amazing. What a blessing that is. Yes, yes, yes,
Because people don't know what direction to go in, they
don't know what is out there to help them.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
That's part of the issue, right, It's not knowing where
all of the resources are. And then sometimes there are
so many resources that you're not sure which direction you
need to go in. And your funding isn't one size
fits all. Depending on your stage of business, your type
of business, what you're actually doing in business, you may
have a plan that's different from another customer or client.
(06:29):
So it really is customized. And that's what this funding
super highway is really all about.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
You have what's called the Juneteenth Supplier Diversity Event.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
What happens then, Oh, that's an exciting event. So so far,
for the last three years, we've gone to the Mohegan
Sun in collaboration with the Connecticut Sun, and we take
over the suite at the top and we take that
over for an evening. We invite about one hundred small
black owned businesses into the suite. We connect them with
(07:00):
corporations that have supplier opportunities. So what we're trying to
do is make sure they did get direct connection to
corporations that have opportunities for our business. And it's a
networking opportunity but on steroids, so they really are getting connected.
And then this last year we added another component to it,
so we really spent a lot of time this year
(07:21):
helping our businesses connect with each other. So they were
talking about things like what resources do I have, what
do you need? How can I help support you in business?
So that we were making direct connections between our businesses
to be able to do business with each other in
that space as well. And then of course it encludes
a full meal and we get to watch the Connecticut
(07:42):
Sun game at the end of it.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Is that on your website now for people to find
out more.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
About I believe it is on the website. We just
did it in June, so you'll probably be that listed there.
But all of our upcoming events you'll find listed on
the website.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Now social media, and that again is b Business Alliance.
Do you actually have a program for high school students?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We do. It's so excited to launch this program two
years ago with higher Heights Youth Empowerment. So again it's
a collaborative opportunity. We've worked with this organization that has
been in New Haven for years and they've been providing
students opportunities to go to college with some experience on
their resume. And so what we've done is create this
(08:26):
internship opportunity where there's students over the summer and we
usually take about half a dozen students can get connected
and have an internship with a black owned business in
the New Haven area for the summer. It's a paid
internship and then they have experience on their resume before
they go to college. So this is one of those
things where we're helping to level that playing field, making
(08:47):
sure they've got that experience before they go and exposing
them to entrepreneurship as well.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
You lost me at paid internship, Anne Marie. There are
no more paid internships.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So scary, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (09:01):
M hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
It's so scary. But this is a unique program. It's
funded through the City of New Haven and we are
trying to find ways to expand this around the state.
But the students that we've had, I mean, I could
tell you about one student she met us. She was
so shy when she came to us she could hardly speak.
By the time she left us, she was doing a
presentation about what she wanted to do with the rest
(09:22):
of her life, including being a vet. And then this
year we followed up with her and I found out
she's doing an internship in a veterinary office this year.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Wow, how beautiful. What other results have you seen from
people who've had a positive impact from working with the
Black Business Alliance.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, that's a great question, so large to small. So
I'm going to just tell you about maybe two or
three everything from We have a small grant program that
we operate through the state, and so we've given somebody
something like one thousand dollars to five thousand dollars. And
I remember this one young lady. She had a cake
business that she was on in the New London area.
(10:01):
We were able to provide her a small ground to
be able to buy her a mobile cart so she
can go to food fares around the city, showcase cakes
and her cupcakes and sell directly from a mobile cart
that hooks to the back of our truck. So that's
a small win. And then there are things larger winds
where we helped a company that was doing medical transportation
(10:25):
and he'd been in the business for a number of
years but did not have access to the funding, and
we were able to help him generate his funding ready package.
We presented him to a loan company that we've worked
with help him get through that process, and he was
able to get over six figures to be able to
start his medical transportation company. He ended up with for
(10:47):
our medical vans and was doing services from the hospital
in his area. So things were going very well.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Wow, doesn't it feel good to help people?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It does, and that's why I'm in That's why I'm
in this work. I've been an entrepreneur myself, but I
actually have a bit of a social work background, So
helping people is what I love to do. And when
you see the results, when you can see change, when
you can see somebody's attitude change about their finances or
the way they've improved their business, or just being able
(11:17):
to give some funding to help somebody get to the
next level, that's an amazing.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Feeling, Anne Marie, Why does black business matter?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
It matters because black owned businesses that we serve in Connecticut,
from startup to establish businesses. This is the foundation of
our economy, and black businesses contribute to the national economy.
So our members range from solo founders and family businesses
to professional firms and retail owners, and the barriers they
face are real. So the access to funding, the business networks,
(11:48):
the opportunities that others often take for granted, and really
we help to connect to overcome those barriers through education, mentorship,
and advocacy. Supporting black businesses isn't just good for the caimmunity,
it's prus for our entire economy. And studies show that
when black businesses drives, they create jobs, reduce wealth gaps,
and strengthen local economies. So it's not just about a
(12:10):
black community. This is about everybody and the impact on everybody.
We all rise together.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Now, how can listeners become involved?
Speaker 2 (12:19):
There are so many ways for listeners to get involved,
and so I would say, first of all, if you're
a black owned business, get connected. If you're not already
connected where a statewide organization, get connected. It's important to
be connected to those who think like you, operate like you,
and have access to the resources. So this is about
connection and for those of you who may not be
(12:40):
black owned businesses, because you want to support the work
that we do. We do take donations at the Black
Business Alliance and you'll find that information on our website.
We can always always use advocates. So if you're a
corporation listening in and you know that you have opportunities
that you purchase certain products or services and maybe you
(13:00):
need a black owned business to step into that space,
reach out and we can make connections. There are so
many ways for people to support the work of the
Black Business Alliance, but more importantly the work of the
black entrepreneurs that we show. I would say the biggest
one is buy from a black owned business, Support a
black owned business, not just in Black History Month, but
all year long. Find the ways that you can support
(13:23):
black businesses.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Yes, well said, I'm speaking with Anne Marie Knight, executive
director of the Black Business Alliance. Again. That website is
the Letter b Business Alliance dot org and you can
find out more there. Thank you so much for being
here today and for serving the community.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
It's been my pleasure. Thank you so much for this
opportunity
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