Betting Big on Fresno’s Future

Led by the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, Betting Big on Small Black Business is a 12-week incubator and accelerator program created to support small business owners with support in the areas of community access, mentorship, business plan development, financial literacy training and connections to investors.

In a formerly vacant storefront at River Park, Art Groove Gallery and Event Centers now welcomes people of all ages to experience art, beauty and creativity. Stop by the dynamic space, and you’ll see paint-splattered easels, kids experimenting with clay and adults rediscovering their artistic spark. It’s also an ideal place to purchase stunning paintings, jewelry and sculptures from Central Valley artists.

Founder Melanie Glass calls it “a space to express, explore and experience the arts.” In fact, Art Groove has become something even bigger: a symbol of what happens when small businesses are given the chance to thrive.

That spirit of possibility is exactly what Betting Big on Small Black Business, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce’s (FMBCC) signature small-business program, was designed to cultivate. Built intentionally for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs, Betting Big helps increase access to capital, mentorships and the networks needed to grow.

During the 12-week Betting Big on Small Black Business program, small business owners complete an educational curriculum that provides practical tools to support growth, financial literacy and customer engagement.

“Small businesses are the economic backbone of the Central Valley and our neighborhoods,” said Dr. Cassandra Little, Ph.D., CEO and Executive Director of FMBCC. “And with the right support, BIPOC and women entrepreneurs build businesses that last.”

Over the past four years, Betting Big has become that supportive resource. The program offers two cohorts a year, each a twelve-week journey through business creation, planning, branding, marketing, financial literacy and social capital. Participants enter at any stage, from “I just have an idea” to seasoned owners seeking new tools. Experts teach each workshop, giving entrepreneurs direct access to bankers, designers, accountants and other professionals who can help them scale. As Dr. Little explained, “You should know your banker by their first name if you’re in business.”

Betting Big on Small Black Business is part of the Fresno DRIVE initiative, a coalition of community members working to create an economy for everyone in the Central Valley.

For Melanie Glass, Betting Big was transformative. Coming from the corporate world, she knew how systems worked but not how to build them herself. The program taught her how to create business plans, models and operational processes, and connected her with mentors who reviewed her work and helped her refine it. “Without that, I think I’d still be flailing,” she said. Instead, her business has grown, collaborating with major institutions like the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and becoming a vibrant community space.

Anthony Bailey, founder of Bailey Ave, experienced a similar shift. His business began as a boutique media operation serving houses of worship by building websites, managing livestreams and installing sound systems. Betting Big pushed him to see a bigger picture. Through the workshops, he learned how to restructure his business, ultimately transitioning from sole proprietor to S-corp. Mentors challenged him to expand beyond churches and offer his affordable, mission-driven services to small businesses and nonprofits across the Valley. Today, Bailey Ave’s client list includes funeral homes, trophy shops and more. “Betting Big was really a shot in the arm,” he said. “It showed me what the path to scale looked like.”

Recognizing that small businesses are the backbone of the economy, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce supports small business owners through the Betting Big on Small Black Business program.  Program participants have access to mentors and advisors and engagement with community leaders, among other benefits.

Betting Big’s impact extends beyond individual businesses. When small businesses succeed, neighborhoods change. Energy returns. Dollars circulate. Jobs grow. As Dr. Little notes, “Small businesses are the backbone of the Central Valley’s economy. When they thrive, the entire ecosystem thrives with them.”

From a community conversation to a lasting legacy, Betting Big proves that with vision, support and social capital, entrepreneurs can build businesses that endure. And sometimes, they can even turn an empty storefront into a place where a whole community comes alive.

To learn more about Betting Big or to get involved, contact Dr. Little at cdlittle@fmbcc.com. 

This story is part of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s “Sixty Stories That Shaped Us” initiative, marking 60 years since our founding. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and this special place we call home. To learn more, visit centralvalleycf.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @centralvalleycf.