Buisness & Entrepreneurship — Listen Free 🎧 | Contact 📧
A Lansing nonprofit is putting $22,000 back into the local economy to support Black-owned businesses . The grant program represents a direct investment in urban entrepreneurship, providing capital to help Black-owned businesses grow and thrive.
The funding is part of a broader ecosystem of support for Black entrepreneurs across Michigan — from Detroit’s million-dollar grant programs to Lansing’s business accelerators and Kalamazoo’s micro-enterprise grants.
Lansing’s $22,000 Grant Program
The Lansing nonprofit’s grant program is one of several initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers for Black entrepreneurs in Michigan. The $22,000 in funding will provide direct capital to Black-owned businesses in the Lansing area, helping them access the resources they need to grow .
Small business grants like these are critical for Black-owned businesses, which face systemic barriers to traditional financing. According to a 2024 survey of more than 1,200 regional business owners by Detroit Future City, 86% relied on personal savings to launch their businesses — more than double the share reported in 2020 — and more than 60% of respondents were Black-owned businesses .
Detroit’s $1 Million+ Investment in Local Entrepreneurs
The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is distributing more than $1 million in grant funding to Detroit entrepreneurs through five small business programs . The funding runs through Green Grocer, NextUp313, the Detroit Startup Fund, the Detroit Legacy Business Project, and Motor City Match, each targeting a different stage of the entrepreneurial journey .
Grant programs include:
- Green Grocer: $100,000 in grants of up to $25,000 to small-format grocery stores, helping expand access to fresh, healthy food in Detroit neighborhoods
- NextUp313: $63,500 in grants for Detroit business owners ages 18 to 30, helping the city’s next generation of entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground
- Detroit Legacy Business Project: $310,000 in grants to brick-and-mortar Detroit businesses that have been in operation for 30 years or more
Why it matters: Mayor Mary Sheffield said the funding is part of her “Rise Higher” agenda to expand economic opportunity in every Detroit neighborhood . DEGC President Kevin Johnson noted that “this investment gives entrepreneurs at every stage, from the retailer providing fresh food access to the legacy business that has served a community for decades, the resources they need to grow” .
Elevate: Lansing’s All-Black Business Accelerator
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership’s Elevate program is the region’s first all-Black business accelerator, designed to scale small businesses and address systemic barriers to growth .
What the program provides:
- Individualized business assessment and workplan development
- One-on-one technical assistance
- Networking with local Black executives
- Targeted media campaigns
- Access to capital and resources
Tony Willis, chief equity development officer at LEAP, said: “Black business ownership is a proven path to wealth and job creation that stimulates the U.S. economy. Deep-rooted systemic challenges still limit economic growth and prosperity for Black people, ultimately preventing generational wealth” .
The program is made possible through a grant from PNC as part of its $88 billion Community Benefits Plan, which includes a commitment of more than $1.5 billion to support Black Americans’ economic empowerment .
One & All: Supporting Entrepreneurs at Every Stage
LEAP’s One & All entrepreneurship program celebrated its 12th cohort in May 2026, equipping aspiring business owners with practical skills in planning, marketing, and financial management .
The program’s impact:
- 927 clients served
- 146 companies formed
- 58 new brick-and-mortar expansions in 2025
- $40.6 million in client revenue
The program provides targeted support and a $1,500 seed grant to help move businesses forward . Amina Mohamed-Saleh, founder of Village & Bloom Doula Care and a 12th cohort graduate, said: “The biggest change for me has been clarity and confidence. One & All helped me define my ‘why’, strengthen my messaging, and better understand how to structure and grow my business in a sustainable way” .
Kalamazoo’s Micro-Enterprise Grant Program
The United Way of South-Central Michigan offers $5,000 grants to microbusinesses in Kalamazoo through its Change the Story program . The funding focuses on breaking down barriers encountered by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and women-owned businesses .
Why Urban Entrepreneurship Matters
The funding for Black-owned businesses comes at a critical moment. Michigan recorded 152,060 new business applications in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% over the prior year . At the same time, existing small businesses are under pressure. A February 2026 survey by the Small Business Association of Michigan found 87% of small business owners saw higher costs than in previous years and 66% struggled to stay fully staffed .
For Black entrepreneurs, access to capital remains the greatest barrier. A 2024 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago survey found Black-owned small businesses in Detroit identified access to capital as one of their most pressing unmet needs, particularly for working capital, small-dollar loans, and short-term cash flow support .
The Bottom Line
The $22,000 Lansing grant program is part of a broader movement to support Black-owned businesses across Michigan. From Detroit’s million-dollar investments to Kalamazoo’s micro-grants, cities are recognizing that investing in Black entrepreneurship is essential for building generational wealth and strengthening urban communities.
For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: Resources are available — from business accelerators to seed grants to technical assistance. The question is whether entrepreneurs will take advantage of them.
Sources
NewsBreak: “Lansing nonprofit launches grant program for Black-owned businesses” (September 3, 2026)
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation: “Detroit to award more than $1 million in grants to local entrepreneurs” (July 28, 2026)
Lansing Economic Area Partnership: “Elevate All-Black Business Accelerator Welcomes Second Cohort” (April 2023)
LEAP: “One & All Celebrates 12th Cohort of Entrepreneurs” (May 4, 2026)
MSU Extension: “Kalamazoo Micro Enterprise Grant from United Way of South-Central Michigan” (January 27, 2026)
Opportunity Resource Fund: “Support Michigan’s Black-owned and Latino-owned Small Businesses” (March 2026)
The People’s Weekly — urban intelligence from a holistic social approach.
[ai]
The People's Weekly 
Leave a comment