Accelerating the creation, growth and prosperity of Black and Hispanic businesses
ELEVATE TOGETHER™ powered by Round It Up America® is a nonprofit initiative designed to address systemic discrimination and historical racial disparities in business growth and profitability in Black and Hispanic communities.
Through a partnership with the National Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Centers and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the initiative helps support Black and Hispanic small businesses with five or less employees. The ODP Corporation (parent company to Office Depot and CompuCom) is the initiative’s founding partner.
How we provide support
Education
- Technical assistance (workshops, training, bootcamps, one-on-one counseling) provided by National Urban League and US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce affiliates in local markets
- Certified small business mentor from The Venture Mentoring Team
- Elevate Together University — small business workshops (accounting, finance, marketing, supplier development, IT, legal) presented by Elevate Together corporate partners
Access
- Provide access to professional networks and platforms
- Help to increase the pipeline of diverse suppliers
- Increase amount of capital available to minority small business owners through non-traditional lending sources
Aid
- Cash grants to minority small business owners
- Donation of in-kind products and services (copy and print services; tech products and services; office/home office furniture furnishings; business services; office supplies)
National Community Partners
We strongly believe that in a society where the playing field is level, Black and Hispanic small businesses will play a vital role in restoring the health of our economy and in driving long-term wealth creation across North America.
Gerry Smith, CEO of The ODP Corporation
One of the most impactful ways we can help eliminate systemic racial discrimination, disparities, and promote equality, is to support entrepreneurship among people of color in achieving sustainable growth and profitability. By removing historical barriers to small business and job growth, the full potential of our communities can be realized.