Mission
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that assists in the economic revitalization of low-income neighborhoods. Our organization grants seed capital to Black Start-Up businesses to stimulate job creation, promote financial literacy and combat critical issues in our communities...
WHAT CRITICAL ISSUES?
The buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper-or-middle income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.
White households in the U.S. had a median wealth of $144,000 -- almost 13 times the median wealth of Black households at $11,200. The gap is not significantly narrowed by education.
The Black community only makes-up approximately 14% of the U.S. population... yet 1 in 3 Black males "born today" will end up in jail, at some point in their lifetime.
The Black unemployment rate, 8.8%, is more than double the rate for Whites, 4.3%. It is actually closer to the 9% unemployment rates Whites experienced in the depths of the recession.
A survey showed that White households saved for retirement 20 percent more than Black households, when making the same income. It also found that 30 percent of Black people earning $100,000 a year barely had $5,000 in retirement savings.
According to a Gallup study, commissioned by Wells Fargo, 77% of Black business owners use personal cash to finance their Start-Up, due to the difficulty in securing a small business loan.
WHY DO THESE ISSUES EXIST ?
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
According to a report released by the Corporation for Economic Development and the Institute for Policy Studies, it will take 228 years for the average Black family to accumulate the same amount of wealth as the average White family, today.
This wealth disparity is the leading cause of issues in the Black community...
We are dedicated to over-turning those statistics and closing that wealth gap through small business development.
HELP US!
Time is running out!
Each year the wealth gap, between Black and White households, widens further and further. The only way to reverse its effects is through economic revitalization. Help us grant seed capital to our first round of Black-Start up businesses by donating today...
WHO IS THE FOUNDER?
Hello...
My name is Michellett Whitney. I studied at California State University of San Bernardino holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in Humanities and a Minor in Biology.
I am a ten year veteran in the non-profit sector working with underserved communities at various levels of my career such as case management and after-school programming.
My experience with subsidized programs has acted as the catalyst in bringing Colour Conscious into fruition. I believe that such programs, in addition to historical implications, have been an added impediment to the Black community's ability to acquire wealth.
As a member of this marginalized demographic. I look forward to partnering with those in alignment with my effort and have a deep desire to accelerate change. I hope that, together, we can help provide the necessary resources to help overcome this tragic disparity!
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