Giving Women; For The Culture

• Nearly 50% of minority business owners reported that they expected to permanently shut down in the few next months
• 22% of African-American business owners reported they have already shut down permanently
• 41% of AA & Latinx business owners reported they did not receive any assistance after applying for the government relief program

These are just a few statistics from Color of Change & Unidos US that #W4TC and proud Afro-Latina Cherry Martinez wants us to take heed to!

(Image from Cherry Martinez – Zimbio)

In an effort to bring awareness to the negative impact of Covid-19 on small business, Cherry Martinez (GRAMMY-Award Winning Publisher and Legendary New York DJ) launched a giveback initiative to “provide air-time for businesses in need of advertising as a result of the effects of COVID-19.”

On June 23rd, the Media Personality announced she would “provide free radio commercials for minority-owned businesses negatively affected by the novel coronavirus” on her 24/7 Radio Show on FMHipHop.com. She says, “We know that many budding entrepreneurs and small businesses would benefit from any type of promotion during this pandemic-induced economic shutdown.” She continues, “This is my community and I want to help as much as I can.”

Martinez understands the importance of her celebrity and that she can use her role to make a difference. Looking for nothing in return, she simply saw “the drastic effects that COVID-19 placed on smaller, minority owned businesses all over, and really wanted to do her part and use her platform to help.”

She’s also done the research to back it up.

“In two recent surveys, only 12 percent of Black and Hispanic business owners reported that they received funding they had requested and 45 percent of minority business owners reported that they expect to permanently shut down in the next six months.”

Check out Martinez’ video on the initiative below: