DALLAS — Amazon recently announced a new grant program aimed at remedying “historical, manifest imbalances by growing and advancing equity for Black-owned businesses.”
The e-tailer said it is launching its Black Business Accelerator program. Amazon said the opportunity is open to “U.S.-based Amazon Professional seller(s), selling products on Amazon.com,” and will provide mentorship, business promotion, and financial assistance for business owners.
Applications will open on July 1 for grants up to $10,000 for eligible businesses.
Amazon is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. on the program.
Downtown Dallas survived the worst of the pandemic...and is set to thrive
There was about $4 billion in construction projects underway in downtown Dallas when the pandemic struck in 2020. Managers at Downtown Dallas, Inc. said this week they were unsure how much of that development would survive as the economy shut down, and many workers retreated to their homes.
Remarkably, the big projects in the city center plowed forward despite the tremendous economic downturn, said Kourtny Garrett. She's the president and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., which acts as a steward and an advocate to grow and improve the central business district.
Garrett is the guest in this week's episode of our Y’all-itics podcast. She talked about the challenges and successes as Dallas continues to remake and refine its core.
We also discussed a number of topics with her, including efforts to land major new employers, a booming downtown residential scene, the impending return of electric scooters, more smart parks, the potential for an underground subway, and where you can already experience a New York City-like feel in downtown Dallas.
To listen to this week's episode of Y'all-itics, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Amazon Music