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Addressing social exclusion has been a key challenge facing policy makers and business support providers in their endeavours to create sustainable economic wealth and success.
Most of the research conducted into the support needs of African Caribbean Businesses has identified the same issues resulting in the same question, how to turn a broad vision for business support into a mechanism of meaningful change for the African Caribbean business community.
During the last 3 years consultation events organised by the African Caribbean Business Forum with African Caribbean entrepreneurs revealed that despite an awareness of business support provision and Birmingham Chamber's services, there was a strong perception among African Caribbean businesses that these services were not for them.
Overall there has been an unprecedented demand for an independent and strong body that can articulate the needs of African Caribbean businesses as well as:
Facilitate the Communication/dissemination of Information and Best Practice
Provide effective Networking and Inter Trading Opportunities
Lobby for broader Procurement Opportunities
Stimulate, encourage and support enterprise among Young African Caribbeans and Women
Develop business to business Mentoring
The African Caribbean Business Forum successfully gained the support of the Small Business Service Phoenix Fund to develop a membership based organisation that could achieve the above objectives.
The BBA aims to address the issues faced by new and existing African Caribbean entrepreneurs with a view to developing a strong voice for African Caribbean businesses. A voice that can facilitate strategically and redress institutional failure. Addressing the socio economic needs of new and existing African Caribbean entrepreneurs as well as contribute to a significant reduction in the gap between rhetoric and reality.
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