ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Harris-Stowe State University will receive $1 million that will fund a new center and entrepreneurship programs thanks to the efforts of Congresswoman Cori Bush.
The university was one of 10 St. Louis organizations that will get federal funding, totaling $9 million, for community support projects.
Harris-Stowe will spend the $1 million on building the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the corner of Compton and Olive, as well as entrepreneur programs, including a new Minority Entrepreneurship Collaboration Center for Advancement (MECCA), according to Dr. Stacy Hollins, dean of the Anheuser-Busch School of Business.
She said only 4% of black-owned businesses survive past the startup stage.
“Entrepreneurship in the Back community has been under-resourced. So, it will provide black and brown entrepreneurs with the opportunity to start getting some equity in the space,” Hollins said.
She added it also will help black and brown entrepreneurs get resources and support to scale up their business.
MECCA began last year and offers educational training, workshops, seminars, services and resources for Black and brown individuals pursuing entrepreneurship.
The fall semester included a series where entrepreneurs shared their journeys with students and the community. Currently, students are learning how to make pitches in a five-part series program. There will also be a mentoring program where students can receive help and advice on their businesses.
“In our community, a lot of entrepreneurs because they lack resources and attention, and capital, just don’t even have the confidence to get started, so we are really excited about the businesses that we’ve connected with this programming that are now ready to reach out to us and connect with on support and services,” Hollins said.
“It’s the very beginning, but we’re so excited about the energy and the ecosystem with our black and brown entrepreneurs now,” she added.
The center is expected to be completed in August, where there will be programs offered for the entire St. Louis region.
Members of the House of Representatives could request funding for up to 10 community project initiatives in their district for the Fiscal Year 2022. State and local governments, and eligible nonprofits were granted to receive funding, according to a press release.
After negotiations in the House of Representatives draft of the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill and with the Senate, Bush was able to secure full funding for all 10 of her submitted projects.
On Wednesday, she voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022 that will provide the funding. The bill is expected to be passed by the U.S. Senate and then head to the President’s desk where it will be signed into law, the press release states.
“This critical funding will touch the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people across the St. Louis region,” Bush said in the press release. “We delivered millions in funding for organizations that are doing work for the community, in the community.
“After we secured more than $700 million in COVID-19 relief for our local governments and millions in grant funding for initiatives like the Brickline Greenway and W. Florissant Avenue, this community project funding represents yet another victory for our community as we work together to build a more just and equitable St. Louis for all.”
PotBangerz, Feed the Body Mission organization helps feed the homeless population in St. Louis. The nonprofit will receive $165,300 that will be used to finish building a house for women in need located in Pine Lawn.
Mildred’s Casa de Paz, meaning “House of Peace” will house women transitioning from homelessness or domestic violence situations, according to Cathy Daniels, aka Mama Cat, founder of PotBangerz.
Bush “made a way for small organizations like PotBangerz to be able to do work that’s going to impact lives,” she said.
Daniels added that she had joined Bush in homeless initiatives, including Sleep Out To Speak Out Against Homeless and Burying the Bigotry of Homelessness: A Day of Second Lives.
“She’s an amazing woman who puts a body where her mouth is, and I love it,” Daniels said.
The following projects received funding:
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Affinia Healthcare: $2 million
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BJC Healthcare – Hospital to Housing: $800,000
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CareSTL Health, The Ville Wellness Campus: $1,000,000
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The Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA) at Harris-Stowe State University: $1 million
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St. Louis University Mobile Health Clinic: $500,000
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The Healthcare-based Crime Intervention Clinic: $1.3 million
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Mildred’s Casa de Paz — PotBangerz, Feed the Body Mission: 165,300
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Gun Violence Response Network with Mental Health Access: $600,000
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Harmony Village – St. Patrick Center: $887,000
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Wellston Loop Mixed-Use Development Project — Easton Development Corporation/Young Voices With Action: $916,900
To read about all of the projects, click here.
