Community Navigator Pilot Program

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.

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Past Sessions

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