LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Part of the Black Lives Matter movement has encouraged people to shop at Black-owned businesses, but it's hard to tell whether the push has supported these places in dollars and cents. The NuLu Diversity Empowerment Council hopes that can happen, but is working first on diversifying the NuLu neighborhood and raising awareness for businesses to be more minority-inclusive.

The council recently broke ground on its incubator to welcome Black brands that don't necessarily have store fronts.

The incubator is Andre Wilson's passion project. He's the council's chairman. In about a month, he plans to welcome the space to those entrepreneurs in need of office space for work and networking.

"The Black culture had a moment, but this needs to turn into long-lasting systemic change," Wilson said. "I also saw a lot of businesses that came out with great statements, but there was no follow-up."

The council has held anti-racism training for companies, to talk through steps like encouraging minority hiring and promoting of staff members of color to higher positions within businesses, and more. Wilson feels there's been a good amount of support and buy-in from existing neighborhood businesses, but it could be even better. 

“It may sound simple, but I wish that more businesses and more stores in the city would just put up a Black Lives Matter sign,” Wilson said. 

One of the people to come into the incubator space for use as office will be Alicia Antonia. She owns Model Excellence Boutique, and is a modeling coach. She's encouraged by the diversity council and efforts underway to support Black-owned businesses.

“It’s a lot of work that needs to be done. I honestly feel there aren’t a lot of businesses and things for people of color," Antonia said. 

She believes people can do better to lift up minority-owned stores, restaurants, brands, and services.

"Honestly you know, coming from my heart, i wouldn’t give them a good grade. I can see a start. It’s a start," she said.