Kevin Hart is paying it forward once again to Black and brown entrepreneurs.
In June 2023, AFROTECH reported that the comedian and actor’s Gran Coramino Tequila brand awarded $500,000 to 50 Black and Latinx small businesses in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC). Now, the two have teamed up once again to create more opportunities for such businesses to thrive.
On Nov. 29, The Coramino Fund announced that it’s back with a second wave of grants for Black and Latinx small business owners, according to a press release. Just like the inaugural initiative, $500,000 in grants will be distributed to the recipients.
“The Coramino Fund is not just about grants – it’s about building a legacy of economic empowerment and generational success,” Hart shared in a statement, according to the press release. “The impact our first year of collaboration with LISC had on Black and Latinx small business owners was inspiring to see. With this new round of support, we’re continuing to help break the barriers that have held talented entrepreneurs back from achieving their dreams.”
For Redemption Body Wellness Founder Martin Boyd Jr., — one of the recipients of a $10,000 grant from The Coramino Fund — the funding supported him in leaping past the barrier of lack of staff for his business.
“For me as a business owner, the hardest thing to secure is new staff members while also expanding programs for the community, especially for youth and elders,” he said. “This grant gives me the opportunity to do just that.”
“The Coramino Fund is not merely a financial boost for small businesses; it’s a transformative force for aspiring entrepreneurs,” said Michael T. Pugh, LISC CEO. “We’re eager to continue leveling the playing field for under-resourced Black and Latinx small business owners. Together with Gran Coramino Tequila, we are supporting sustainable businesses, quality jobs and economic growth that will enrich lives and uplift communities across the nation.”
