Time to Level the Playing Field

When considering human potential and motivation, there is a popular refrain that you are not defined by your circumstances. It acknowledges that you may have to overcome personal hardships and systemic inadequacies in order to realize your full potential. It is suggested that marginalized folks impacted by limiting circumstances persevere through these hardships in order to be successful.

I suppose that is decent advice, but wouldn’t it be better if systemic limitations that disproportionately affect certain groups were removed? Wouldn’t it be fairer if certain individuals didn’t have to overcome more obstacles than others? And wouldn’t it be optimal for our economic recovery if more people were engaged? Obviously, it would.

 That is why today we are announcing the creation of a North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council, to serve the entrepreneurial aspirations and economic potential of our Black community. Council members will work closely with the Foundation to identify, recommend and support partners and programs with the expressed purpose of elevating Black Entrepreneurship in North Carolina, including input on the Foundation’s funding decisions.

The formation of the Council coincides with a recent commitment by the board of directors that the Foundation will manage operating budgets for the next two fiscal years of at least 10% of our net assets; which is twice the minimum amount required by law. The resulting increase in programmatic spending will provide at least $500,000 in funding, under the auspice of this council.

We are seeking 10-30 members, represented by a diversity of viewpoints and experiences from throughout North Carolina; specifically, a mix of leaders in the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as successful Black entrepreneurs.

Please consider applying to the Council if you are personally and professionally engaged in advancing Black entrepreneurship. We have a rich history of successful Black entrepreneurs in North Carolina. It is time to reclaim that history and write new chapters to attract and inspire others.

We hope other organizations, companies, and individuals will add funding to these activities. We are seeding this effort with $500,000, but could easily deploy 10X that amount. We need help from those who are genuinely committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We need help from those organizations that embrace the notion that our greatest natural resource is the entrepreneurial potential of everyone and not just the lucky few with privilege and access. If you want to learn more about the outcomes we hope to achieve and how you might help, please email me at [email protected].

Together, we will write a great chapter in our collective experience and take pride in how we helped each other come together during this historic moment in time.

Entrepreneurially yours,

Thom Ruhe

CEO & President

NC IDEA FOUNDATION