The PennZone

WASHINGTON - PennZone -- Take it to the Top Entrepreneurship Challenge is created by the Black Women's Round Table (BWR), a signature part of the National Coalition On Black Civic Participation (NCBCP).  Take It to The Top Entrepreneur Challenge gives BWR the opportunity to provide tools, resources and on demand education that will enable Black women and girls to successfully pursue their entrepreneurial ideas.  Participants in the challenge will receive business support, tools, and resources to help them compete for a chance to win up to $25,000.

This Challenge is made possible through the partnership of The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon and Black Enterprise and by BWR media partners Essence and #RolandMartinUnfilitered.  BWR is looking forward to have each partner work toward aiding black women throughout this Challenge and beyond.

Black women are the largest and fastest growing segments of entrepreneurs in the U.S.  According to the American Express Women Owned Business Report 2019, Black women owned businesses have grown in 2019 at a rate of 12% compared to the annual increase rate of 8% between 2014-2019.  Unfortunately, that growth rate comes with challenges.  Black women owned business' revenue generated an average of $27,700 per firm compared to white women owned firms at $143,100 per firm.  The cause of this disparity is less access to capital, lack of educational resources and mentors.

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Fortunately, this Challenge will work toward aiding Black women and girls with tools and resources to help them cultivate their ideas into building a successful and sustainable business.  The BWR mission is to focus on providing leadership, economic empowerment and wellness for Black women and girls.  It is best said by Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convener of The Black Women's Roundtable, "this Challenge is for those of you out there during COVID19 and what we call a shift in our nation when it comes to addressing issues of racial disparities in this country and systematic racism.   One of those things that impact us the most is economic justice and economic opportunity.   So, this challenge gives us an opportunity as an organization and as the Black Women's Roundtable to be part of the solution, for those who have ideas or who have been thinking about their own business to make their dreams a reality".

The BWR Challenge has three (3) categories to register under; Category (1) Girlpreneur (ages 16 to 17); Category (2) collegiate; Category (3) Community.   Each registrant will have the opportunity get support to launch their business, win the monetary prize but also a chance to be featured on Blackenterprise.com.  The eligible states for participation are: Alabama, Mississippi, DC/Maryland/Virginia Metro area, Georgia, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina & Ohio.  Registration is open now until Sept. 30th, 2020, those interested should go to www.blackwomensroundtable.org/#our-2020-programs.   The Challenge begins October 1, 2020 to 11:59 pm October 30, 2020. This is an opportune time for this challenge to be launched with October as National Women's Small Business Month. The announcement of the winners will be on November 28^th 2020 Small Business Saturday.

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The National Coalition On Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) is one of the most active civil rights and social justice organizations in the nation "dedicated to increasing civic engagement, economic and voter empowerment in Black America."  The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) is the women and girls empowerment arm of the NCBCP. At the forefront of championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black women, BWR promotes their health and wellness, economic security & prosperity, education and global empowerment as key elements for success.  The organization has been known for such signature empowerment initiatives as the Annual BWR Summit, the Annual State of Black Women Report, the Annual Essence Magazine/BWR Survey and its periodic Power Table discussions.  For more information on The Black Women's Roundtable please visit www.blackwomensroundtable.org