The Inland Empire, a region comprised of the Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California, is home to approximately 4.6 million people, creating a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. Within this diverse mosaic, women stand as pillars of strength and resilience, representing 2.3 million of the region’s population. Yet, despite their prominent presence, women of color face barriers on their path to entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Born from a vision of a place where women of color entrepreneurs are supported and celebrated for their resilience and brilliance, the Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center is an innovative economic hub aiming to eliminate racial and gender inequities. The center provides a protected environment where women of color entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to build, grow and scale profitable businesses.
The BBOP Center team says accessibility is key at the hub. Whether an individual prefers the convenience of online resources or the vibrant energy of in-person engagement, the center offers both—ensuring that every woman can thrive. The BBOP experience involves a multifaceted approach focused on advancing capital, technology, information and networks through its three flagship programs: BUILD, GROW and SCALE.
These 12-week hybrid programs serve as transformative journeys, equipping participants with the tools, strategies and unwavering support necessary to bring their ideas to life, scale their businesses and make a lasting impact in their communities.
According to the team, entrepreneurs at the BBOP Center can thrive in a 10,000-square-foot space designed to nurture creativity and foster growth, with three conference rooms, 14 offices and 20 shared workspaces—each a canvas for innovation and collaboration. But those involved with the hub see it as not just a physical space, but also a vibrant ecosystem for support and opportunity.
The BBOP Center’s goal is to enroll 76,000 new entrepreneurs into the BBOP Business Academy—representing 5% of the 1.5 million women of color residing in the Inland Empire. Additionally, the hub wants to secure $10 million in funding, which will be crucial to fortifying its position as a destination for capital, investments, grants and other funding opportunities tailored to women of color entrepreneurs.
Recognizing the transformative power of technology in driving operational efficiencies and cultivating innovation, the BBOP Center plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its daily operations to streamline processes, encourage forward-thinking ideas and enhance entrepreneurs’ utilization of technology for their businesses.
Looking ahead, the BBOP Center has set an ambitious five-year goal aimed at closing racial and gender gaps, increasing access and building 21st-century skills among women of color entrepreneurs in the region. Entrepreneurs in this demographic are poised to lead and succeed in the world of business—and the BBOP Center’s mission is to help this community of trailblazers, innovators and dreamers thrive.
Photo by RF._.studio
