Ellen Perrault
Supporters gathered from around the inland region to celebrate recipients of the 2024 Microbusiness of the Year Awards and the 2024 Microbusiness Rising Star Award recipients. More than 100 community members gathered at the at the UC Riverside Alumni & Visitor Center on Wednesday September 4, in support of the evening’s event.
Black Voice News Community Engagement and Revenue Director Christen Irving served as the event’s emcee.
Black Voice News Community Engagement and Revenue Director Christen Irving served as the event’s emcee.
“The Microbusiness Award Celebration serves as a cornerstone of our organization,” said Jay DiAllo, founder and CEO of the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI ) First Community Capital (FCC). DiAllo values the event as a way of highlighting the much needed support his organization provides through both capital and technical assistance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs in the inland empire and beyond.
The recipients of the 2024 Microbusiness of the Year Awards included Jose Jesus Martinez of Martinez & Son Trucking Co., and Dr. Boni Johnson of AFC Urgent Care. In defining their journey DiAllo commended how Johnson and Martinez exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and positive community impact, “[W]e strive to foster at First Community Capital.”
FCC champions economic justice and opportunity by extending access to affordable capital and technical assistance to economically disadvantaged small businesses and low to moderate income individuals. FCC has an emphasis on businesses that are owned by members of the BIPOC community including women, veterans, refugees, immigrants and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.
What’s exceptional about FCC, is that it also extends support to borrowers who may not meet the criteria established by conventional underwriters of traditional lending institutions, according to the company’s website. As a result, the institution is helping “bridge the gap” between traditional lending standards and the unique needs of hard to reach entrepreneurs.
A panel of 2024 Microbusiness Rising Star Awardees including, Rosa Menendez of Rhode Island Fashion, Jenelle Edwards, iela Harris, Grant Williams of The Mindful Madman, LLC, Martin Policarpo and Jasmine Prado of Hair by J & M Policarpo LLC, Victor Robinson of Habit$ LLC, Deshawnaye Dennis, Deedeedesignsinc, Deecreative and Deebartendress, participated in a question and answer session about their individual businesses current status and short term goals.
First Community Capital’s commitment to inclusivity and economic justice in support of “BIPOC entrepreneurs and individuals from low and moderate income backgrounds” was on full display during the event as evidenced by the awardees, the attendees and as expressed by its Founder and CEO, DiAllo.