Community Navigator Pilot Program

a BIPOC professional at work.

In our role as a Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) outreach “spoke”, the Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) team hosted statewide listening sessions to better understand the challenges and resource gaps identified in the CNPP Small Business Survey

We invited small business owners to join VT PoC in these BIPOC affinity spaces to learn about opportunities, challenges, and gaps in small-business resources.

By participating in this affinity-based listening session, BIPOC small business owners have made their voice and needs heard. VT PoC is currently drafting a final report inclusive of survey and listening session data. Non-affinity based listening sessions were available through Main Street Alliance of Vermont who will also offer a report.

Our Audience

Each listening session focused on a different business sector or region. We invited individuals who identified as BIPOC and own a small business, or are in the process of starting a small business, to join our listening sessions. We consider small business owners as:

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Owners of a micro-business
  • Owners of brick and mortars
  • Individuals with both formal / legally and informally established businesses
  • Individuals with side hustles

Time Commitment

Listening sessions were approximately 90 minutes each. Participants are not limited to one session and were encouraged to sign up for each business sector and/or region that they are affiliated with.

Compensation

BIPOC small business owners are compensated $150 for each listening session as an acknowledgement of their efforts and time. Please note that compensation is based on full/active participation in the 90 minute discussion and the receipt of paperwork.

Listening Session Timeline

Registration was opened until one day before a listening session.

Report


Past Sessions

BIPOC Makers + Creatives

Affinity Space: BIPOC Gender Specific – Check Registration Blurb

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
1:30-3:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Food Producers + Beverage Makers

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Tuesday, April 26, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Lodging + Hospitality Business Owners

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Chittenden County

Affinity Space: BIPOC Gender Specific – Check Registration Blurb

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
12:30-2:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Chittenden County

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
5:30-7:00pm
In-Person: Hula Lakeside

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Washington County

Affinity Space: BIPOC Gender Specific – Check Registration Blurb

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
12:30-2:00pm
In-Person: Zenbarn, Waterbury Center

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Washington County

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
5:30-7:00pm
In-Person: Zenbarn, Waterbury Center

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Orange County

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Monday, June 20, 2022
10:30am-12:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Orange County

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Monday, June 20, 2022
10:30am-12:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Small Business Owners in the Northeast Kingdom

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Wednesday, June 22, 2022
12:30-2:00pm
Zoom

CEDS: BIPOC Workforce Development in Rutland County

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022
11:30-1:00pm
In-Person: Rutland Free Library

CEDS: BIPOC Workforce Development in Rutland County

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022
4:30-6:00pm
In-Person: Rutland Free Library


BIPOC Business Owners in Bennington County

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Wednesday, June 29, 2022
12:30-2:00pm
In-Person: Bennington Free Library

BIPOC Small Business Owners in STEM

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
1:30-3:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Small Business Owners in STEM

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
4:30-6:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in West/Central Vermont

Affinity Space: BIPOC Gender Specific – Check Registration Blurb 

Thursday, July 14, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in West/Central Vermont

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Thursday, July 14, 2022
3:30-5:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Small Business Owners in Windham + Windsor

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, July 26, 2022
5:30-7:00pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Addison County

Affinity Space: BIPOC Gender Specific – Check Registration

Thursday, July 28, 2022
11:00-1:30pm
Virtual

CEDS Sponsored: BIPOC Workforce Development in Addison County

Affinity Space: Non-BIPOC

Thursday, July 28, 2022
3:30-5:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Small Business Sole Proprietors

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Tuesday, August 9, 2022
1:30-3:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Small Business Owners in Franklin + Grand Isle

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
11:30-1:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Artists + Entertainers

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Wednesday, September 14, 2022
1:30-3:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Outdoor + Sustainability Business Owners

Affinity Space: BIPOC 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Retail Business Owners

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Budding Business Owners

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Wednesday, October 19, 2022
10:30-12:00pm
Virtual

BIPOC Agriculture Business Owners

Affinity Space: BIPOC

Thursday, October 26, 2022
10:00-11:30am
Virtual

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