Bridging Virginia

Bridging Virginia: Now a Certified CDFI! We’re thrilled to announce that as of last week, Bridging Virginia is officially certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury! This certification validates our core mission: To close the gap of access to capital for historically marginalized small business in Virginia. We recognize that the current environment may feel uncertain, but this only strengthens our commitment to advancing equity and economic justice. This milestone belongs to everyone—our partners, funders, clients, board, and devoted team members. Together, we’re building a more inclusive economy that serves all communities. Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep moving forward, Virginia. This is just the beginning.

November is National Entrepreneurship Month! CDFIs support entrepreneurs by financing community businesses—including small businesses, micro-enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and more—sparking job growth and retention in the communities that need it most. Virginia CDFIs provide capital for 800+ businesses annually! Are you an entrepreneur in need of support with your small business? Check out our list of Virginia CDFIs to find one that fits your needs! https://lnkd.in/e-enjWH #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth #CDFIs #smallbusinesses

?? Celebrating Empowered Women Entrepreneurs! ?? The Women’s Business Center at Old Dominion University proudly announces the graduation of an incredible cohort of women-owned businesses from our Capital Readiness Program, hosted in collaboration with The Mustard Seed Place These women have shown exceptional dedication, resilience, and innovation as they prepared their businesses for growth and scalability. The Metropolitan Business League and Bridging Virginia are looking forward to working with these businesses to secure funding and scale their operations through strategic lending opportunities. Here’s to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and driving success for women entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads and beyond! ?? #WBC #WomenEntrepreneurs #ODUInnovation #CapitalReadiness #EmpoweredWomen #SmallBusinessSuccess #HowardHesson #MustardseedCollaboration #FundingGrowth Angela D. Reddix, Ph.D. Erika Small-Sisco

Last week, we celebrated our latest 100 small businesses that received comprehensive grant packages through #ComcastRISE in Richmond, VA. ? It was an incredible evening that highlighted the strength and resilience of the Greater Richmond small business community. ? We were honored to be joined by Levar Stoney, Bridging Virginia, Diversity Richmond, YMCA of Greater Richmond, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, City of Richmond Office of Minority Business Development, The Metropolitan Business League and other community partners who share our ongoing commitment to helping the small business community thrive in Richmond and beyond. ? I would like to thank our Chief Diversity Officer Loren Hudson for joining us to recognize our recipients and reinforce our longstanding commitment to digital equity in the communities Comcast serves. ? We know that by working together we can make a positive impact and that Richmond will continue to RISE. ? #IWorkForComcast #smallbusiness #RVA

The 4th Annual Power Business Opportunities Conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center was a tremendous success! Huge thank you to Richmond International Airport (RIC) / Capital Region Airport Commission for putting on such a dynamic event. Our Director of Capital Access & Community Impact, Vjaughn Ingraham, was honored to share insights on access to capital during the panel discussion—a vital conversation for driving business growth and opportunity. Thank you to all the organizers and attendees for making this event truly impactful. Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures. #AccessToCapital #BusinessOpportunities #CommunityImpact

Happy National Entrepreneur’s Day! Entrepreneurs, especially small business owners, are the driving force behind innovation, job creation, and vibrant communities. Their vision and determination fuel economic growth and create opportunities for all. Since 2021, more than 20 million new businesses have been launched, with record numbers led by Black, Latino, and women entrepreneurs (SBA, 2024). Bridging Virginia is proud to support entrepreneurs by offering: ?? Technical Assistance ?? Access to Affordable Capital Explore the inspiring stories of our entrepreneurs and learn more about our resources at bridgingvirginia.com.

Last week, we had the privilege of continuing the impactful conversation around Believe-In-You Money with Jessica Norwood, diving into what it would look like if the economy loved Black people. Together, we heard from inspiring Black entrepreneurs who shared their journeys, learned about actionable insights from Atlantic Union Bank, and reflected on how we can reimagine investing in Black entrepreneurship to strengthen our economy. Thank you to the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond and Melody Short for putting on such a transformative event that challenges us all to lean into meaningful change.

What a beautiful evening celebrating the 100 Comcast RISE grant recipients in Richmond! We had the privilege of hearing from a panel of phenomenal women leaders, including our President & CEO, Leah Fremouw, who shared valuable insights on financing, business planning, and building partnerships. We were also honored to have Mayor Levar Stoney join us for this special event. It was an inspiring evening celebrating Richmond’s vibrant small business community. Congratulations to the Comcast Rise grant recipients and all the partners involved.

November 11-15 is National Veterans Small Business Week! According to Forbes, over 1.9 million of small businesses are owned by veterans. This means that today nearly 1 in 10 small businesses are veteran-owned, contributing over $1 trillion in annual receipts and employing almost 5.5 million people nationwide. This week we celebrate the essential role veterans continue to play in advancing our economy and to ensure their voices and challenges are heard. Our CDFI members are proud to support veteran small business owners with accessible financing and technical assistance. Learn more about the history of the SBA's veterans small business week here: https://lnkd.in/eHgke_QS #VetBizCommunities

It’s National Veteran Small Business Week! Bridging Virginia proudly honors the incredible contributions of veteran entrepreneurs. Their resilience, innovation, and leadership continue to inspire and drive economic growth in communities across the country. We remain committed to supporting veteran-owned small businesses by providing them with access to capital and technical assistance. Thank you to all who served and those who continue to lead in the world of business! Support our veteran-owned small businesses: Triton Light Medical – https://ow.ly/o0q250U7n0z To learn more about how Bridging Virginia supports veteran-owned small businesses, visit https://ow.ly/5IZi50U7n0y