Mike Kallmeyer spoke with Rep. Juanita Brent, D-Cleveland, to discuss the challenges Black entrepreneurs in Ohio face. Brent founded Social Society Cleveland, a networking group aimed at helping those entrepreneurs navigate their businesses.

Brent said since the pandemic started, one of the biggest challenges many Black-owned businesses are facing is making sure they have the right structure in place to take advantage of the money that’s available to them. 

“We are giving out tons of money through the state of Ohio for our minority business grants and our minority business loans,” she said. “And some of those loans have a 0% interest rate. So we need to make sure people are structured right, so they can be able to receive the money the state of Ohio is providing right now.”

Brent said the key for business owners is to be connected within the business entities within their community.