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BLKNGLD Elevation Stations
As a business owner, single mother of 5, that is gifted in many fields, I've faced many challenges. I have started and stopped so many times. Some factors get in the way like tending to the needs of family, lack of money... it's endless. I can do it all but have not had the resources to keep going. Our vision for the Elevation Station is to provide a welcoming environment for businesses from disadvantaged communities. Introduce accountability partners, and provide the culture which helps with mental wellness. We will provide what is missing.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Income inequality
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
In this new society and the rising costs of living households seem to thrive the best when there are two incomes. In alignment with that, mental stability is key to have a healthy household. If you look at history, jobs were based on skill and families would pass these skills on. Not only was the person giving the service really good at what they did, they felt love and pride towards their profession. This is necessary because people accept jobs for wages or at times because it is the first available. There isn't much thought put into a choice of profession, and individuals tend to get stuck in a job they do not like. Have a side business, is something that can cure the need to feel a part of something, which attributes to mental wellness. BLKNGLD's Elevation Stations will let them be a part of a group that will provide support. Simeotaneously our members will get to live out their passions/dreams in real time and monetize them.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Additional Streams of Income to Combat the Rising Costs of Living Mainly addressing those that have suffered from income inequality due to barriers. The inequality comes from many factors but the main ones that we currently have seen and dealt with is that people of color may deal with a lack of resources due to education and just because there isn't someone in their life to tell them the route to go in business or otherwise, another reason can be due to the lack opportunity or trust towards these groups primarily because of racism. BLKNGLD specializes in elevation, we are experts at rebranding, providing networking opportunities to build business. We connect organizations or people with promotional opportunities. We want to ensure that our Elevation Members are given the resources they lack, through collaboration or connection. This will allow members to enhance their ability to take care of their homes with an additional stream of income. This will impact our members in their households, workplaces and in relationships. Mental Wellness
Being a part of something aleads to a feeling of fulfillment. This is one thing that is needed to be able to function properly. Happy people are able to take care of their homes better, and are just better overall. We have seen with our events that when people find like-minded people, they are able to thrive. The can call on them for support in any subject matter and just be able to learn and grow.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
Desperate times cause for desperate measures. We don't want our families in LA county to utilize illegal methods of making ends meet. We have seen crime rise and become more bolder in recent years. People are desperate to afford rent, move in costs, food, and just the bare necessities to survive. Our initiative stands to create a culture and sense of pride in being able to make ends meet with your free time while doing something you love. Each member will be given a rulebook for success based on past and current data. They will also have access to a network that will help promote their product or service in the community, as well as the opportunity to barter to receive a service.
By addressing the need for better incomes for LA County residents, the program can help create a more sustainable and thriving economic environment. This will grow economic activity, job creation, and wealth-building opportunities, ultimately contributing to a more equitable, prosperous Los Angeles County
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
This will be an early stage project we have worked with our friends and have saw the growth and this is one reason we want to expand the program. We plan on using blog articles attached to each member where they can use as a journal on our website to be honest and measure their growth from month to month. This will be a requirement of the program and tracked in real time. Letting the public know of the ups and downs of business growth. A metric will be created where it is user friendly for the person inputting and the public. BLKNGLD is skilled at recognizing the key factors that are inportant to business owners and skilled at creating and distributing surveys to get information.
Describe the role of collaborating organizations on this project.
Rediscover U Inc. Provides self-love workshops and a culminating Gala to the community. The program is designed to enhanced the mental well being of individuals through self love activities which include elements of art, therapy, beauty, and reflection. We would like to partner to cross promote the opportunity to provide services to enhance financial security of participants and followers of the Rediscover Gala and to ensure a self love element will be included by the organization to enhance the mental wellness aspect of our program.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 60.0
Indirect Impact: 12,350.0