Announcing $1.375 Million in Small Business Grants in Oakland
The City of Oakland and Working Solutions have announced the disbursement of $1.375 million in COVID-19 relief grants to 275 low-income small business owners in Oakland. Thank you to the Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund, Union Bank, and the many generous individual donors who made the Oakland Small Business Emergency Grant Program possible.
Celebrating National Black Business Month
August 2020 marks the 17th annual National Black Business Month. To celebrate, join us in supporting local Black entrepreneurs by directing your purchases to Black-owned small businesses. Click below for links to several directories of Black-owned businesses. Also, make sure to check out Bay Area Black Restaurant Week, which starts on Friday, August 21.
Serving as a Voice for Small Business
Working Solutions CEO Sara Razavi was honored to meet with California State Assemblymember Rob Bonta and staff from the offices of State Senator Jerry Hill and State Senator Steve Glazer in July as part of the Advocacy Day organized by the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO). Thank you to our state legislators for speaking with us about the needs of small business owners during this crisis and beyond.
California #ShopSafeShopLocal Campaign
Working Solutions joined the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and other partners in promoting the #ShopSafeShopLocal campaign this summer. Today and every day, support local small businesses to help keep our neighborhoods vibrant and diverse—and make sure to follow public health protocols to keep all employees, owners, and shoppers safe. Check out our Client Directory to find great small businesses in the Bay Area.
The Hatch Featured in The New York Times
Check out this powerful feature in The New York Times about Working Solutions client Pancho Kachingwe, founder of The Hatch—a bar, restaurant, and community space in Oakland. The reporter followed Pancho and his employees from mid-March through mid-June as they worked hard to pivot and survive the COVID-19 crisis.
Progeny Coffee Featured in Forbes Magazine
Congratulations to Working Solutions client Maria Palacio, founder of Progeny Coffee, on a wonderful feature in Forbes magazine about how she is challenging the status quo in the global coffee industry. The interview highlights Maria’s commitment to lifting up coffee farmers and their families in her native Colombia, as well as how Progeny has been responding and adapting to the COVID-19 crisis.
City of San Jose: New Video Resource for Entrepreneurs
Do you have questions about accessing capital to support your business during this time of crisis and beyond? Check out this video produced by the City of San Jose—featuring Working Solutions CEO Sara Razavi and Mayra Contreras from Opportunity Fund—to get helpful advice and resources available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
$1 Million in Small Business Grants Disbursed in Oakland
In partnership with the City of Oakland, Working Solutions has deployed $1,000,000 to make emergency relief grants to 185 local small business owners. Our thanks to the Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund, Union Bank, and many generous individual donors for making the Oakland Small Business Emergency Grant Program possible.
Announcing the Albany Business Relief Fund
Working Solutions is partnering with local brewery Ocean View Brew Works to administer the Albany Business Relief Fund, which will award grants of $1,000 to selected small businesses in Albany that have been impacted by COVID-19. Grants may be used to cover day-to-day operating expenses, such as worker payroll, rent, PPE gear, and fixed debts. Learn more here.
Advocating Statewide for Small Business Owners
Working Solutions is proud to advocate at the local, state, and national level for policies and programs that support small business owners. At the statewide level, Working Solutions joined the California Reinvestment Coalition and other small business advocates in urging our state officials to invest additional funding to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis. Read more about our statewide advocacy efforts in support of our small business community.
Virtual Small Business Week in San Francisco and Oakland
Small Business Week has moved online in order to provide local entrepreneurs with support and resources amid COVID-19. Join Working Solutions for virtual Small Business Week activities in San Francisco and Oakland from June 22 to 26! All week long, you can access free opportunities to learn, engage, and network. Read on to see the schedules of events and find out how to register.
We stand in solidarity. Support Black-owned businesses.
Working Solutions stands in solidarity with all those fighting for racial justice and equity. We are committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs and communities through our core work by deploying 60% of our capital to communities of color and 20% to Black-owned businesses each year. You can help by directing your purchases to make a difference. Read on for resources available to support Black-owned businesses near you.