National Pan-Hellenic Council and SBA Share Launch Plans for Black Business Partnership Initiative

NPHC – SBA Collaboration Intended to Support & Strengthen Thousands of Black Entrepreneurs

In June 2022, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and U. S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM), an authority unique to the SBA among federal agencies. The NPHC is the collaborative council composed of the nine historically African American fraternities and sororities which include 2.5 million active members.

Upon the SAM’s signing, Administrator Guzman cited the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build equity and close historic wealth gaps that have impacted generations of Black entrepreneurs and their families. Partnering with the NPHC’s member organizations, commonly referred to as the “Divine Nine,” provided established and trusted access to thousands of current and prospective Black business owners and the community organizations they support.

Over the last six months, Divine Nine and SBA leaders have worked to develop a plan to formally launch the partnership initiative. Today, NPHC and SBA leaders will announce the initiative key next steps as the organizations work together to support long-term training and development of entrepreneurs in Atlanta and nationally.