Building and Supporting a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Local Economy.
What is the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network (CSBBN)?
The Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network, facilitated by Nicola Williams of The Williams Agency and sponsored by the Sustainable Business Network of MA (SBN) and Cambridge Local First (CLF), brings together Black entrepreneurs and identifies specific programs that can be developed or adopted to help ensure these businesses survive the pandemic and thrive moving forward. This new initiative will convene and work with Black-owned businesses based in Cambridge and Somerville that are in at least one of these phases: start-up; expansion; recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Business Month Pop-up Passport Event Aug, 2023
Need a Grant to Build Capacity? The Cambridge Equity Fund Grant Application my be able to help!
The Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network is excited to share details about the new Cambridge Equity Fund grant opportunity for Black-owned small businesses. This $700,000 grant program offers funding, technical assistance, and mentorship across three categories: early-stage, home-based, and brick-and-mortar businesses.
The Cambridge Equity Fund seeks to address Black entrepreneurs’ desires for access to responsible capital, and initially it is a grant program that will offer:
$700,000 in grant funding for Cambridge businesses
Grants, technical assistance, and mentorship provided
For assistance completing the grant application, contact Monica Raffo at monica@sbnmass.org to make an appointment.
How Can I Join CSBBN? Sign up here for year-long membership!
Come Shop: Neighborhood Storefronts Project Small Business Marketplace to be held on June 28 and 29, 2025.
Shop from more than a dozen local vendors:
Free wine tastings from Marzae Wine
Hands-on arts and crafts activities for children
Seed giveaway & potting
Help shape the future design of 1175 Cambridge Street
The CRA recently acquired the former YouthBuild ground floor space at 1175 Cambridge St with the goal of providing affordable retail opportunities for local small businesses. This marketplace is done in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Network, Cambridge Local First, and the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network. This event is more than just shopping. It's an opportunity to shape the future design of 1175 Cambridge Street and connect with your community. The event is free to attend.
Date: Saturday & Sunday, June 28-29, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Location: 1175 Cambridge St. Cambridge, MA
The event is organized by The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority in collaboration with the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network (CSBBN) and the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts and Cambridge Local First, in collaboration with support from the Cambridge Savings Bank.
Celebrate with us!
We want to hear from you! Join the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network for a celebration of Black Businesses in Cambridge and reaching our 5 year milestone. Our mission is to create a vibrant ecosystem for Black Businesses in Cambridge.
Date: Tuesday August 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM EDT
With your participation, we will explore what continued actions are need to be in place for Black businesses in Cambridge to sustain, grow and thrive.
Save the date: CSBBN Black Business Month Reception & 5th Anniversary Celebration
Membership Benefits
Networking Opportunities
In addition to our private Facebook Group for CSBBN, we will hold networking sessions for members at every meeting. Members will also receive membership in SBN and CLF.
Further, we will share offerings through our community partners, such as the City of Cambridge and the City of Somerville.
Continuous Learning
CSBBN hosts free workshops about building your business, such as their inaugural workshop entitled, "Building Banking Relationships that Stick" sponsored by Sustainable Business Network and Cambridge Local First.
Also, we have a newsletter with funding opportunities, policy updates, and member insights.
Technical Assistance
Our team will identify and promote technical assistance for CSBBN members, as well as by record and capture summaries that can be shared with the wider CSBBN members and site.
Mentorship
The MTMi Mentorship Program aims to develop beneficial one-on-one relationships between entrepreneurs.
Mentors will be able to share their own experiences and knowledge of the current business landscape.
A successful mentor program provides opportunities for students to explore entrepreneurship through interaction with successful entrepreneurs; gain an experienced entrepreneur's perspective on applying textbook concepts to real-life situations; familiarize themselves with business protocol.
A mentor program benefits professionals by allowing them to contribute to the professional development of future entrepreneurs; identify potential partners and new vendors for their organization.
Advocacy
CSBBN will take part in advocacy for BIPOC businesses in partnership with SBN and BECMA statewide, AMIBA nationally, CLF and JPLF locally, and more.
SBN will be aggregating data from businesses, organizations, and municipalities to best advocate for local business needs and utilize this Black Business Directory. This robust data collection will serve to inform the public and policymakers about how to best help Black businesses thrive.
Subcommittees
Make your impact on a subcommittee. Potential groups may focus on diversifying retail, empowering high-traffic commercial zones, networking, and procurement.
Membership Benefits | One Year’s Membership*
Cambridge Local First (CLF)
Inclusion in business campaigns
Inclusion in our directory and map
Monthly newsletters
Opportunity to promote events in our newsletter and social media
Invitations to all CLF events
Eligibility to participate on our Board or on Committees
And more!
The full value proposition is here, and full member benefits are here.
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN)
Networking: Access to SBN’s member only groups
Visibility: Business listing on SBN’s Members Page
Visibility: Marketing via SBN’s social networks
Discounts: First access & discounts to SBN events
Resources: Connection to pre-vetted SBN Member service providers
And more!
View full member benefits here.
How Can I Join CSBBN?
Sign up here for year-long membership!
You will gain access to:
Automatic one-year membership for Cambridge Local First (CLF) and Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN),
Free or discounted access to conferences, such as AMIBA’s latest How Businesses Can Survive and Thrive
PR and promotion through the networks you gain access to
Updates on key policy changes and the ability to advocate on behalf of your business
Information about technical assistance (TA) opportunities
Connections to financial resources
A newsletter with useful information for entrepreneurs
A robust business network
A diverse pool of mentors
Free access to workshops for building your business
The ability to impact change through collaborating on subcommittees in your area of interest
Sign up at this link and check out our website which will host event information and recorded content.
Join our private Facebook group for Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network