Written by Tanya Terry, with photos courtesy of Taylor McClain
This month, The Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) celebrated a major milestone with the graduation of Capital Connect Cohort 13, in which eight Flint-based entrepreneurs who have completed the 12-week accelerator were honored.
MBBA is focused on closing the racial wealth gap in Michigan. Since its founding in 2021, the organization’s programs, services, and opportunities have been open to all individuals and businesses, without discrimination.
MBBA’s Capital Connect program has helped Detroit entrepreneurs secure more than $6.5 million in funding within the last three years. According to information given by MBBA to the Courier, with Flint now part of the
movement, MBBA is on track to exceed $7 million in total connected capital.
This month’s Capital Connect Cohort 13 graduation was the first one held outside of Detroit.
As an MBBA news release points out, Flint is home to more than 1,800 Black-owned businesses, yet many continue to face significant barriers to capital and infrastructure. It was the innovation and resilience of these Black business owners that made Flint “a natural next step for MBBA’s expansion beyond Detroit.”
Taylor McClain, CEO and founder of TC McClain Enterprises, talked to the Courier about the success she has experienced as a local Black business owner, the challenges she has been facing and her experience with MBBA.
She shared: “I was able to hold three successful culinary competitions, for culinary artists in Michigan so far. I also have served at least 200 students through my culinary cooking classes from different areas: Genesee County, Grand Rapids, Kentwood.”
McClain stated she wanted to help her culinary arts students to experience different cultures through different foods, help build their life skills and help build their confidence & independence within the kitchen. As someone who has aimed to encourage others, she has been able to do so.
“A barrier I have faced, however, is just being profitable with what I do,” stated McClain. “I try to make everything reasonable for the culinary artists and the artists I’m serving. So, sometimes it’s hard to profit. It’s fine – because I didn’t get in it for profit. I wanted to make sure that I offered a platform to culinary artists to showcase their creativity, their skillset – outside of what maybe their employer should allow them to do.”
One of many aspect’s of the education McClain and the other graduates received as part of the MBBA program was training was five sessions of “technical training.”
“We talk about what our business does, and they put us with someone who should be able to help us connect the dots,” said McClain. “Whether it’s what type of organization would be useful for you to think about partnering with, or how we can market ourselves in the world, different services you may be able to add on and stuff like that.”
The Flint Cohort 13 businesses who were honored at the graduation included:
● Prestige Promotions – Marketing & Branding Innovation
● Paw Paw’s Pickles – Food Excellence
● The Poke Bowl – Culinary Experience
● Lord Laird’s Premium Lemonade – Wellness-Focused Beverage
● Marsh Personal Protection Service – Safety & Security
● Drinks of Essence Bartending School – Hospitality & Workforce Training
● TC McClain Enterprises – Cultural Culinary & Event Leadership
● King’s Klutches – Fashion & Retail Empowerment
Graduates were introduced to funding partners during Funder Night, which included:
Community Reinvestment Fund
Michigan Women’s Forward
Huntington Bank
Lake Trust
CDC
Opportunity Resource Fund
First Independence Bank
Northern Initiatives
McClain shared: “We had people in business that were fresh, with 0-2 years in business. Then we had people who had been in business for 10 plus years. So, I think anybody could possibly benefit from this program if you go in with the attitude of wanting to learn, wanting to grow, wanting to give.”
The initiative was also made possible through Flint-based partnerships with 100K Ideas and the
African American Advisory Committee of Genesee County (AAAC).
- Learn more about the the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) at www.blackbizalliance.org.
