BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Black Community Alliance (IBCA) opened their doors in 2020 with a mission to support, engage and empower Black businesses, professionals and families in Idaho. Since then, the IBCA has delivered on their mission helping almost 200 Black-owned businesses across Idaho overcome unique hurdles.
"I did all that research and stuff and I knew that my salon was a great idea,” said Shari Baber, the Programs Director for the IBCA and Owner of Cut N Up & Co. “I went to get a business loan. I sat across the table from a 65-year-old white man who told me there was no need for what I do here. Why can't we just go to Supercuts?"
Nicole Beall, owner of 2C Yoga, says she had a similar experience.
"No bank thought that we were a viable business. Just when they looked at us, you don't look like yoga instructors,” said Beall. “It didn't matter that I have a master's in organizational management, that my business partner and I combined have over 50 years’ experience in management and business."
Aside from having a hard time getting access to money, the IBCA says many Black-owned businesses also start off with fewer resources and limited networking opportunities.
So, to bridge that gap, Trish Walker, the CEO and founder of the Idaho Black Community Alliance, started the organization to provide that support.
"We decided that it was really important for us to support Black businesses and Black businesses were missing that hand touch," said Walker. "Representation matters, we want to make sure that we're giving them that support so that they can understand from their experience, and we want to meet them right where they're at."
The number of Black-owned businesses in Idaho is growing and Walker said when they started, they began with only a handful of businesses. Now, the IBCA supports about 175 businesses across the state.
"We offer Black hair care, we have Soul food businesses and restaurants we have IT specialists,” said Walker. “We have yoga, and just anything that you would want to have as a business, but it's Black owned."
Beall said being a small business owner can be lonely, but having the IBCA has helped her make connections.
"Knowing that I can reach out to a fellow business owner, who understands exactly what I'm feeling who can guide me a little bit like, hey, here's a resource, or why don't you come to this event,” said Beall. “So, you can be surrounded by other people going through the same thing, you can talk to somebody bounce ideas off of them."
Matthew Montoya, owner of Lumos Optical, says the IBCA has helped with much more than just getting their name out there.
“In the resources of helping us with marketing, helping us connect with other individuals and organizations that have been a benefit to our business and just helping us grow and succeed," said Montoya.
Both businesses agree that they wouldn't be where they are without the help of the IBCA.
"They have this huge network, they can see opportunities that you couldn't, they can see ways to leverage your strengths that you couldn't," said Beall.
Walker hopes that as the years go on, they can continue to help the Black community succeed and thrive.
"As far as Black folks in Idaho, we're a small percentage, but we're very mighty,” said Walker. “We want to be able to offer any type of resource for cultural, for heritage for business, for the professional and for the networking, so that we can have a sense of belonging in Idaho."
The IBCA offers tailored trainings, business development sessions, networking events and collaborative engagements within the community. Including the Boise Soul Food Festival, that has been going strong, which will be happening later this year on Aug. 10, 2024.
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