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Everyday, the team is Inclusive Action for the City is helping small business owners and their families connect to resources. Many government programs are not equitable. (thread)
The "technical assistance" work we have always provided our low-interest loan borrowers has expanded from helping an entrepreneur piece together financials, to helping clients navigate the vaccination process or applying for a small business grant. It's a lot!
These experiences working with low-income BIPOC entrepreneurs are showing us how the relief programs that are being offered are not using an equity lens in their design process.
For example, my colleague Maribel shared with us that because of fraud in the Unemployment Insurance program, the State is now requiring an " http://ID.me " component to verify identify. It makes sense right? Not if #equity is a priority.
Unfortunately, this is a huge barrier for many people who are not tech savvy and may be wary of uploading their identification online. We must design our relief programs with the most vulnerable in mind. If they cannot access a resource, then it must be redesigned.
Mari: "I've been on the phone with a client and his wife for over an hour trying to get them past this part. It took us 20 minutes to get the reCAPTCHA verification box done. 
I can't imagine how folks without family or other support systems fill out these applications."
I can't imagine how folks without family or other support systems fill out these applications."
We have to do better!
