A NUMBER of black owned small and medium-sized businesses have been chosen to take part in a mentorship programme from the Black Pounds Project.

The initiative from Birmingham-based CJ Webley hopes to help businesses that have been severely affected by COVID-19.

He said: “This mentorship scheme will offer access to a pool of professional advisors who are dedicating their services for free to help kick start the businesses for when we come out of lockdown. 

“Topics covered will include professional development coaching and training in becoming legally and regulatory compliant across all areas and, where necessary, funding to help with digital and branding strategies, marketing materials, set up costs, graphic design and finance management.”

Each business will receive support for twelve months, and as the project develops over time, The Black Pounds Project hopes to develop a directory of high-quality, professional black-owned businesses.

Mentors include Natasha Mills, who coaches Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Nigel Campbell who has more than 20 years of marketing experience and Lucille Roache, who is a business start-up coach, among many others.

The Black Pounds Project is a registered community interest company that was founded in 2020. In June 2020, they launched their fundraising page, and still hope to raise more funds to support black enterprise.

The businesses that will benefit from free mentoring span a range of industries. Many of them provide food and beverages such as Craig Markham, who heads up Bubble Bar, where punters are served both alcoholic and soft drinks from a vintage caravan, Dave Daniels from Ms Tita Coffee, a luxury coffee brand that started in Jamaica’s Blue Mountain region, Kenya Marfarlane who is behind Natju that provides fresh, natural juices and teas and Cleo Wright, from Cleo’s Kitchen – where you can find tasty vegan desserts.

However, businesses that provide products have done well too. Christianne Lee from Broke and Beautiful UK creates handbags for those who’d like to look luxe on a budget, Fiona Morrison from Fergus Designs makes diverse character art and merchandise for the children and Ayisha Hamilton-Amos, from Yeesh LTD provides natural skincare and haircare.

In the service sector, Ebony Hemmings from Breathe in Media will also receive free mentoring. She helps businesses make the most of their digital platforms.