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Celebrating 25 Years

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Birmingham Business Resource Center was born out of desire to help historically disadvantaged people and businesses.  Throughout his early career at A. G. Gaston’s Citizens Federal Savings Bank and beyond, BBRC Executive Director Bob Dickerson focused on how to serve his community.  He recognized the need to help young, black banking professionals like himself achieve full and equitable participation in all levels of the financial services industry.  In 1987, he helped form the Birmingham Association of Urban Bankers (BAUB), affiliated with the National Association of Urban Bankers.  

During his 3-year tenure as President at BAUB, Bob was able to develop many relationships with influential people, including Richard Arrington, Jr., long-time Birmingham mayor.  These relationships, as well as ones developed later, would prove to be important in the founding of BBRC.  Bob was selected to serve on Mayor Arrington’s Birmingham Plan task force, which led to other community leadership opportunities.  The mayor’s Birmingham Plan created two entities focused on black-owned business development by offering loans.

Bob believed that merely offering loans was not enough to help under-utilized businesses and their owners succeed.  He got to work on creating an organization that would help businesses with capacity building, capital, and customers.  Birmingham Business Resource Center opened its doors in 1996.  Since that time, it has helped originate over $1 Billion dollars in loans and provided numerous business owners with the tools they need to grow their revenue.  

Capital alone will not help companies thrive. Since its inception, BBRC has developed programs to empower business owners by providing them with technical assistance, counseling and coaching. Our team members have substantial knowledge in SBA loans, finance and banking practices which has given our clients insight into how to keep their businesses healthy. In addition to training, BBRC hosts webinars and forums to connect business owners with financial industry experts and government agencies who provide information on resources and opportunities available to businesses.

We have a genuine passion for helping small, disadvantaged, minority, black, female and historically underutilized businesses build relationships with private enterprises and government agencies.  Building and nurturing our relationships with banks and other financial institutions has allowed us to participate in financing projects that contribute to local economic development.  This has led to us being able to refer our clients to these institutions as well as receiving referrals from them. 

We have maintained a great relationship with the City of Birmingham which has remained constant since we began.  This consistency has allowed us to have a closer relationship under five mayoral administrations and several city councils.  In addition, we have partnerships with major utility companies, community development financial institutions, various municipalities, and other small business development agencies. 

Through our training and advocacy programs, we have helped our clients develop healthy banking relationships.  We have also helped businesses build their capacity, get access to the capital they need, and to expand their customer base.  We are both proud and humbled that our advocacy work has been recognized by our partner the Small Business Administration and by the U. S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency.

Thank you to our clients, partners and employees who have helped us reach this important milestone. We are grateful for your support and we look forward to exploring new opportunities with you in the years to come.

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10 entries.
Dr. Juliet L. Arrington from Birmingham wrote on November 23, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Dear BBRC Family, Congratulations! The student body of The American Academy for Young Professionals (Gr. 6-12) are so thankful for the opportunities that this organization has provided for education advancement and empowerment.
LaToya Colvin from Birmingham wrote on October 4, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Congratulations and Cheers to 25 great and successful years. Wishing you guys many more!!!
Michele Toney from Birmingham wrote on August 12, 2021 at 6:22 am
Congratulations!!! Wishing many many more years of service.
Ransom Davis Sr from Hoover, Al wrote on August 11, 2021 at 6:16 am
Congratulations 🎉
Ves Marable from Birmingham wrote on August 10, 2021 at 4:25 pm
Congratulations on your 25th year anniversary!
Stephanie Davis from Orlando, FL wrote on August 9, 2021 at 9:05 pm
Congratulations on 25 years and may you be blessed with 25 more years to do the work and advocate for our communities!
Jestina Howard from Birmingham wrote on August 9, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Congrats on 25 years of providing a much needed service to small businesses within our community.
Karen K. Wadlington from Bessemer wrote on August 9, 2021 at 4:15 pm
Congratulations on 25 years of service!
Beverly Russell from Birmingham wrote on August 9, 2021 at 5:37 am
Congratulations!!!
Tisha Hammond from Northville, MI wrote on July 6, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Congratulations on 25 years! Cheers to many more.
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