Business
50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned and -Led Companies Honored
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), in collaboration with American Express, recently released the 13th annual ranking of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies. The companies on this year’s 50 Fastest list span a range of industries, including healthcare, technology, and consulting. From January to December of 2019, the 50 Fastest generated a combined $3.8 billion in revenue and collectively employed more than 17,000 people.
Wells Fargo Launches $400 Million Small Business Recovery Effort
Following an April 2020 industry-leading commitment to donate all gross processing fees from the Paycheck Protection Program, Wells Fargo recently unveiled the details of an approximately $400 million effort to help small businesses impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic keep their doors open, retain employees, and rebuild.
IDOT awards $38 million for local planning grants
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced the award of 52 grants totaling more than $38 million to support the planning efforts of long-range transportation projects across the state. New criteria this year provides funding to create economic opportunity and enhance quality of life in disadvantaged communities.
Lowe’s opens applications for the first wave of its $25 million in minority small business grants
As thousands of small businesses struggle to keep their doors open and their employees paid amid economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) recently opened its first round of grant applications in its previously announced $25 million commitment to provide much-needed relief to minority-owned businesses.
Entrepreneur Empowering Millennials Through Real Estate and Financial Literacy
Pongee Barnes, born and raised on the south-side of Chicago, is a political-science graduate of Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. Barnes embarked on her real estate career as a college student in 2005 at the age of 20, buying her first condo in Chicago. After buying 2 condominiums during the most recent tumultuous real estate market collapse, she was able to endure and purchase flips and rentals.
Poets&Quants Names Best & Brightest MBAs For 2020
Poets&Quants, a news source for graduate business education, has released its 6th annual “Best & Brightest MBAs” feature, which honors 100 of the most accomplished full-time MBAs from the Class of 2020.
Essence Ventures Hires Caroline Wanga as New Chief Growth Officer
Essence Ventures, the independent Black-owned consumer technology company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color, recently announced that Caroline Wanga will be joining as Chief Growth Officer, effective June 29.
Study: The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Led to a Surge of Socially Responsible Behaviors
COVID-19 has had a radically positive impact on socially responsible behaviors, according to a special release of the Conscious Consumer Spending Index (#CCSIndex).
ESSENCE Study Reveals Key Insights Into the Impact of COVID-19 on the Lives, Behaviors and Outlooks of Black Women in the U.S.
While the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the nation in varying degrees, it is having a major impact on the daily lives of Black women
$25 Million Fast-Track Grants Accelerate Planned Infrastructure Projects in the Wake of Covid-19
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced Fast-Track Public Infrastructure Grants, an initiative to accelerate work on planned public infrastructure projects around the state.
Northern Trust Provides $100 Million in Small Business Support
Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) recently announced that it is providing $100 million in low-cost funding to assist Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) as they provide loans to small businesses and non-profit organizations under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
PayPal Releases 2019 Global Impact Report
PayPal Holdings, Inc. has released its third annual Global Impact Report, publishing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies and activities of its global operations for 2019, according to a press release.
Company Prepares To Market New Product To Clean Wheels With Only Water
Awesome Products Corp. has announced that they have developed, will be applying for a patent, and are preparing to market a new product to clean wheels using only water, and are calling it “The Brake Dust Eraser®”
Siemens Foundation Provides $1.5M Across 12 Community Health Centers to Support COVID-19 Response Efforts
In a news release, the Siemens Foundation recently announced it is providing $1.5 million to community health centers across 12 U.S. cities to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
