The Black Franchise Leadership Council (BFLC) joined the ever-expanding International Franchise Association (IFA) in February 2021 as part of the IFA Foundation and Diversity Institute. The timing of this launch during Black History Month was impeccable, as the council strives to bring awareness to the black community of entrepreneurs.
The BFLC will serve as a critical network in creating an organizational culture that values diversity, inclusion, and creativity. The BFLC hopes to stimulate conversations about the franchising community with black entrepreneurs and offer new insights and perspectives. The council will promote education and provide access to franchise opportunities for black entrepreneurs. “The BFLC is catering to the black community of entrepreneurs because it is the most underserved community in the industry,” said Richard Snow, chair of BFLC.
A vital goal of the BFLC is to educate members of the IFA and other organizations about delivering opportunities to the black community that will build legacies and establish generational wealth through franchising.
The BFLC has received significant support through the IFA and The Diversity Institute, and numerous groups within the overall franchise community. They have also garnered bipartisan congressional support. With all that crucial backing, the BFLC can successfully execute all legs of its mission.
Part of that mission is to perform regular community outreaches. Sharing essential information and connecting people to their preferred programs will change the playing field, while building partnerships and creating engagement. It will open eyes to all kinds of possibilities, including franchise ownership, marketing and communications, and improve access to capital funding and funding strategies.
The BFLC intends to bring energy and enthusiasm to mentor, educate and build stronger communities, ultimately writing a more compelling story about diversity and inclusion. It will alter the lives of black entrepreneurs by helping them gain business ownership through franchising.
General membership in the council is open to leaders from all types of industries and franchise sectors. To learn more about the Black Franchise Leadership Council, visit linkedin.com/showcase/black-franchise-leadership-council to sign up.
– Rose Mango
Richard Snow
Chair, IFA Black Franchise Leadership Council
“We have learned that out of the approximately 800,000 franchises in the country, the community of black franchise industry makes up only 8% of the entire industry. Our mission is to promote awareness, understanding, and opportunities to black entrepreneurs. We are very deliberate about catering to that niche, as it is the most underserved in franchising.”
Carolyn Thurston
Vice-chair, IFA Black Franchise Leadership Council
“There are so many people of color that are not aware of the opportunities before them. We make it our mission to bring awareness to them and help them investigate and see if franchising is the right path for them to take.”
Rikki Amos
Executive Director, IFA Foundation
“Our mission is acute and specific to focus on a serious and sustained effort to build a community in franchising for current and future black entrepreneurs. We help them find success and help them support their communities by building successful businesses. Minorities like people of color, women, veterans, etc., find significant success through franchising.”
LaTonia Pouncey
Advisor, IFA Black Franchise Leadership Council
“My role is to help build and develop the council to assure that its purpose and mission aligns with the IFA Foundation and Diversity Institue’s diversity and inclusion goals and the council delivers excellence and is sustainable for the long term.”