Celebrating Black History Month by Investing in Black-Owned Businesses
For Black entrepreneurs in Kansas City, turning a vision into a business isn’t just about hard work—it’s about access to resources, funding, and a support system that believes in their success. That’s where KC G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow) steps in. This Nonprofit Catalyst Grantee is dedicated to empowering Black-owned businesses located in historically underserved and economically disadvantaged areas., KC G.I.F.T. provides financial grants and the essential tools, mentorship, and business services needed to build success.
Founded with the vision of increasing the quality of life in predominantly Black neighborhoods, KC G.I.F.T. is more than just a grant-making organization. It’s a catalyst for economic empowerment. By providing financial and business support, KC G.I.F.T. helps Black-owned businesses in East Kansas City grow, ensuring that wealth stays within the community.
KC GIFT operates two core programs that work together to foster business success:
- Grant Program: Entrepreneurs receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to help scale their businesses. But support doesn’t stop there. Each grant recipient gets one year of business counseling, bookkeeping assistance, small business marketing support, and additional funding for crucial business services.
- Business Center: Open to the entire Kansas City community, the KC G.I.F.T. Business Center offers free resources to help launch and grow businesses. Services include one-on-one business accounting, website development, marketing, headshots, product photography, and business-related classes.
In just five years, KC G.I.F.T. has distributed $1.8 million in grants to 75 businesses, resulting in the creation of 135 new jobs. The Business Center, now three years old, has booked 7,200 appointments, serving over 2,000 individuals looking to build their businesses.
KC GIFT was born when the cofounders saw a glaring issue—Black businesses were not thriving in Black communities. They connected and joined forces to change that narrative. The result? An initiative dedicated to building Black wealth and fostering self-sustaining businesses in historically underserved areas.
Brandon Calloway, CEO and co-founder of KC G.I.F.T., offers this wisdom to those looking to launch their own ventures:
“If you’re a founder trying to launch something, my advice for you today is to get active. Be annoyingly actionable at bringing your vision into reality. It might just change the world.”
Supporting Black businesses doesn’t have to be complicated. Check out KC G.I.F.T.’s Black Business List on Instagram, highlighting Black-owned businesses in Kansas City. Shop these businesses, spread the word, and become a part of the movement to create lasting economic change.
In honor of Black History Month, let’s uplift and invest in Black entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of Kansas City—because when Black businesses thrive, the entire community benefits.