ESPN – CHAMPION BLACK BUSINESSES

Black-owned businesses have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic and ESPN’s Champion Black Businesses Initiative is helping drive sustainable impact for communities in NBA cities around the country. Launched in 2020 in partnership with The Undefeated, ABC’s Shark Tank, and the NBA, the program supports a select number of Black-owned businesses annually with a spotlight during the NBA finals and a mentorship session with a Shark Tank investor. This year, JOY helped ESPN elevate the Champion Black Business’s program by building a sustainable ecosystem to provide increased support for the long-term. Four select business were paired with a cohort of Executive MBA students from Howard University and an advisory council of experts from across The Walt Disney Company and the NBA to help address the business’ most critical challenges and opportunities, and provide recommendations for the path forward. The businesses also received cash awards in addition to access to the Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community.