The current economic situation has put a lot of pressure on businesses across the country, including in Atlanta, Georgia. NBA Atlanta Hawks player Dewayne Dedmon knew he had to do something.
Dedmon doing good using his platform to help grow small businesses
Dedmon decided to partner with the Atlanta Business League, to give $65K to five small businesses in the area that have been impacted by the current financial situation.
“With everything that was going on, the climate and everything, it was something that I felt I needed to do and wanted to do to help out my community,” Dedmon told Atlanta Business Chronicle. “I wanted to be able to support my people and help the black businesses in Atlanta. It was something I have been thinking about for a while, but now is a perfect time.”
Dedmon wants to help grow these companies by providing them with grants. Interested businesses had two weeks to apply. Moreover, according to ABL president Leona Barr-Davenport, more than 130 firms applied, ranging from a variety of industries. Furthermore, Dedmon is heading the project, with support from the Ressler-Gertz Family Foundation and the National Basketball Players Association.
Dedmon will soon choose the five black-owned business winners.
He said he drew from black-owned businesses. Dedmon will be part of choosing the five winners after the candidates have been vetted. Moreover, officials from the Atlanta Business League will help pick candidates with the most compelling and need as it relates to the current financial crisis.
Dedmon and the ABL will award the first-place winner with $20K, second-place winner $15K, third-place winner $12.5K, fourth-place winner $10K, and a fifth-place winner with $7.5K. The announcement of the winners will be held virtually on Aug. 11.
As the NBA season has returned, Dedmon says he may be dealt with this offseason, but no matter what, he will continue helping the Atlanta community. Moreover, it’s always good to see people with a public platform use theirs to help those in need.
