Charleston Reporter

Bank of America recently provided a $500,000 grant to three state chamber of commerce organizations to unveil a statewide Minority Business Accelerator program.

The program will be led by the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chambers and is expected to begin at the start of next year, a BoA press release said.

Kim Wilkerson, president, Bank of America South Carolina, said that new endeavor was expected to minority-owned businesses develop robust employees.

“Together with the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chamber organizations, we are working to do our part to support minority-owned businesses, and we hope to encourage others as well,” Wilkerson said. “Here in South Carolina, Bank of America remains focused on creating opportunity in the areas of jobs, training, and workforce development as these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.”

The Minority Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential minority-owned businesses by providing targeted education and networking with a three-year strategic growth action plan, according to the release. 

The program is aligned with Bank of America's $1.25 billion five-year commitment to push for racial equality, along with economic opportunities in local communities.

The Minority Business Accelerator began in 2012 in upstate South Carolina through the Greenville Chamber. The program will now expand the Midlands and Lowcountry markets.