Entrepreneurs of Color in California Face Challenges in Technology, Climate Change, and Sustainability in a Post-COVID Economy

CNK Team and researchers from the UCLA Latino Politics and Policy Institute delved deeper on the experiences of ethnic small business owners in California. This report is the first one of the series of reports for CNK’s COVID-19 Equity Research Initiative, CNK’s initiative that focuses on empirical and quantitative analyses of informing a just recovery of businesses from the impacts of COVID-19.

Using various quantitative and qualitative data sources from surveys and in-depth interviews, the study explores issues of accessibility to capital, digital technology, climate change, sustainability and the impacts of COVID-19 towards these businesses.

Various studies have noted that ethnic-owned businesses often face challenges regarding the access to financial capital, use of new available technologies, obtaining relief funds, and demonstrating a high employee turnover during times of crises. These challenges were compounded by the impacts of COVID-19.

CNK Team and researchers asserts that, “as ethnic enterprises continue to grow in number, it is imperative that they be incorporated equitably in economic development processes as well as environmental sustainability planning. They play a vital role in their communities through job creation, generation of revenue, and promotion of social and cultural diversity.”

Read the California report here: Business as Usual: Entrepreneurs of Color in California Face Challenges in Technology, Climate Change, and Sustainability in a Post-COVID Economy

Read the Texas report here: Business as Usual: Entrepreneurs of Color in Texas Face Challenges in Technology, Climate Change, and Sustainability in a Post-COVID Economy

Read the Arizona report here: Business as Usual: Entrepreneurs of Color in Arizona Face Challenges in Technology, Climate Change, and Sustainability in a Post-COVID Economy