
The Women of Color initiative, was started by WBCS in 2012 with the formation of the Women of Color Outreach Committee made up of both Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Corporate members. This initiative was established in response to the growing number of women-owned businesses being started by women of color. It specifically addresses the discrepancy in the revenue gap between businesses owned by women of color and non-minority women. We host intentional events geared toward women of color including happy hours, panel discussions, and business mixers. In 2020, we started a Mentor Program to help women business owners through the certification process. The three-month Women of Color Mentor Program, matches potential WBCS members and new members with a current member who can help them through the certification process or teach them how to get plugged into the network.