I’m not a super big Blogger. I’m working (hard) to keep growing but typically I depend on the quality of my work and the style in which I do it to land gigs and create impact. So when I tell y’all I was shocked to learn I was invited to a blogger luncheon with Xfinity, I mean it to the fullest.

I had the opportunity to join Comcast Xfinity for a virtual luncheon event where the brand unleashed some of their upcoming releases and new projects. Of these new projects is a program called Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment, or R.I.S.E. for short.

Xfiinity’s R.I.S.E. Program is part of their multiyear initiative to build equity for and among communities of color and our businesses, providing resources for marketing, media, and technology that can be challenging to obtain, especially for minority businesses.

I learned how Comcast as a company and Xfinity as a brand plan to provide these resources and ensure a lasting impression to build up BIPOC communities, which y’all know is my JAM!

During the luncheon Rose Farrales, editor in charge of Xfinity’s kids and music programming, explained the R.I.S.E program as a response to not only the injustices and barriers many BIPOC businesses and businesses owners face when looking to obtain capital such as production and grants, but also to combat the severe impact Covid-19 continues to have on BIPOC businesses.

Rose went on to describe the initial impact of Covid-19 for BIPOC businesses, explaining  The National Bureau of Economic Research reported between January and April of 2020, Black-owned businesses declined by 41%, and Latinx-owned businesses declined by 32%, despite that number being significantly smaller for white owned businesses, trending at a decline of only 21%.

Xfinity plans to use these numbers as an opportunity to build up the communities that are often overlooked and under supported, offering consulting, creative direction, technology upgrades, and monetary grants to BIPOC businesses in order to accomplish the goal of providing, “practical and valuable support.”

You can learn more about Xfinity’s R.I.S.E. program as well get involved, apply for funding, and get caught up on the other offered programs at https://www.comcastrise.com/

While all the opinions in this blog post are my own, it was sponsored by Comcast Xfinity.