Black Chamber of Memphis, Boomin University launch entrepreneur support partnership

By AI, Created 6:48 PM UTC, May 15, 2026, /AGP/ – The Black Chamber of Memphis and Boomin University are teaming up to give Mid-South entrepreneurs access to 0% interest loans, financial training and business education starting this summer. The partnership is aimed at helping Memphis-area startups overcome capital gaps, improve financial readiness and connect with regional business networks.

Why it matters: - Memphis-area entrepreneurs often face three linked barriers: limited affordable capital, gaps in financial literacy and weak access to growth networks. - The new partnership is designed to help small businesses move from idea to fundable, scalable operations. - The effort could give local founders a lower-cost path to financing and practical support that is often hard to find.

What happened: - The Black Chamber of Memphis announced a strategic partnership with Boomin University, a Nashville-based nonprofit. - The collaboration starts this summer and targets Mid-South entrepreneurs and small business owners. - Mark Yates, board chair and interim president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Memphis, said entrepreneurs need “tangible capital and strategic guidance.” - Danielle McGee Gibson, founder and CEO of Boomin University, said the partnership is aimed at closing gaps in capital, knowledge and opportunity.

The details: - The partnership gives entrepreneurs access to Kiva’s interest-free small business loan program, including 0% interest lending. - Participants can get one-on-one technical assistance to build the financial infrastructure lenders want to see. - Training includes AI-powered marketing, SEO, website optimization and media readiness. - Financial education will cover reading financial reports, improving operations and using data to make decisions that support future funding. - Entrepreneurs also get access to mentors, innovators and business ecosystems across Tennessee. - The partnership includes a regional network built through the Black Chamber of Memphis’s connections across the Memphis MSA and the Mid-South. - The program is open to regional business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. - Space is limited, and organizers are encouraging early registration. - More information is available through the event registration page. - Fund U: Interest-Free Capital Match with Kiva is a virtual event on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CST. - The Kiva session will show participants how to navigate the crowdfunding platform and apply for a 0% interest small business loan. - BCoM Annual Family & Friends Night at Autozone Park is set for Thursday, June 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. - The Autozone Park event will connect attendees with the Memphis business community during the Memphis Red Birds’ annual commemoration of the Memphis Red Sox Negro League. - The Boomin Marketing Program is a four-week hybrid intensive. - Orientation for the marketing program is Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Epicenter, 150 Peabody Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. - The marketing intensive continues virtually on Tuesdays in July. - Boomin to the Bank is a four-week virtual financial intensive. - Orientation for Boomin to the Bank is Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. - The financial intensive continues on Tuesdays in September.

Between the lines: - The partnership pairs capital access with training, which suggests a strategy focused on readiness rather than financing alone. - The mix of virtual, hybrid and in-person events lowers the barrier to participation for small business owners with limited time and resources. - By tying the program to community events and regional networks, the organizations are trying to turn training into sustained business relationships.

What’s next: - Interested entrepreneurs can register for upcoming events and partnership programs now. - The first major touchpoint is the June 9 Kiva session, followed by the June 19 networking event and the summer and fall training intensives. - The broader goal is to move more Memphis-area businesses toward stronger operations and future funding readiness.

The bottom line: - The Black Chamber of Memphis and Boomin University are building a practical support lane for local entrepreneurs: cheaper capital, stronger financial habits and direct access to business networks.