Q&A with Change Today, Change Tomorrow

We recently launched the First Dollar Program to provide early-stage capital to Louisville’s Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Through partnerships, Render Capital provides critical “first dollar” grants to early-stage entrepreneurs who lack capital access due to historic and systemic inequality. The program provides $5,000 grants to businesses at the earliest stage of development, when capital investment is most critical. In this Q&A series, we introduce the four local, Black-led partner organizations whose close work with entrepreneurs makes them vital in facilitating the disbursement of the grant funds. Here is what Change Today, Change Tomorrow had to say.

Tell us a little bit about Change Today, Change Tomorrow.

Change Today, Change Tomorrow is devoted to eradicating barriers that plague the Black community and other marginalized populations in education, food justice, and public health. We protect, defend, and meet the needs of those who have been counted out. We are a force of disruptors and changemakers that believe in community power.

How do you support Black entrepreneurs in the Louisville and Southern Indiana region?

Change Today, Change Tomorrow sponsors Pocket Change, a Black business empowerment hub. Pocket Change offers Black business owners exposure to new customers while providing business development through monthly small business classes. We intentionally shop, support, and uplift Black-owned local businesses, and challenge others with our #changeyourspending campaign on social media.

As a First Dollar Program partner, what trends have you seen in early-stage funding for Black entrepreneurs?

Black business owners are denied the access and exposure white business owners are granted. They often work from home in the beginning stages and learn as they develop, pour personal dollars into their business, and are disproportionately denied funding because they lack the necessary collateral. There are many barriers to business development for Black business owners.

How will First Dollar funds support your work?

First Dollar funds will allow Change Today, Change Tomorrow, through Pocket Change, to provide funds to attendees of our small business class. From the conception of the class, the goal was to invest in participants. These funds will create inaugural support for five local Black businesses, and we can elevate these grants and challenge others to continue intentionally supporting Black businesses.

Why is it important to support the development of Black businesses specifically?

Black folks have been denied resources and access, yet still own and operate successful businesses. Supporting Black businesses helps decrease the wealth gap and build generational wealth while building community. Change Today, Change Tomorrow intentionally and unapologetically supports Black-owned businesses, from the coffee we drink in the office to our branding and marketing, and beyond supporting these businesses, we continually uplift and recommend them.

How has your work shifted in the last year due to COVID and increased public attention toward racial injustice?

COVID-19 and the racial injustice uprisings in Louisville and beyond pushed already-existing needs into the public eye. We have acted with intention and continue to provide barrier-free access. Our emergency-free grocery program was supposed to last seven days, yet through community power and continued support it will soon be one year old. We have been able to double many other outreach efforts, including support for the unhoused and youth mentoring and tutoring programs.

Can you share a recent “win” for Change Today, Change Tomorrow?

Change Today, Change Tomorrow received a six-figure reparations check from an anonymous donor. We would like to celebrate this and challenge other folks to pay reparations to Black-led, Black-serving nonprofits within the community, as a step toward righting the wrongs of historically racist practices that have directly harmed Black people.

What preconceived notions exist in your line of work?

Within the nonprofit sector, there is a preconceived notion that “nonprofit” means no money, while there are million-dollar nonprofits. Change Today, Change Tomorrow is intentional about paying a living wage, along with grocery stipends, therapy reimbursement, and other amenities for all staff. We believe you are human first, and this job is not intended to consume your life.

What’s on the horizon for Change Today, Change Tomorrow, and what gives you hope for the future?

We have plans to expand staff and our current 20-plus programs and initiatives. We continue to fundraise, and each of our programs has long-term goals. Knowing that someone beyond Kentucky organically searched and found us to provide reparations gives us hope that we are beyond conversations and at the point of change.