College application season just got that much easier! Scholaroo is an app aimed at making finding college scholarships easier. The app allows students to search for scholarships across a number of markers including college major, state, grade level, gender and now by demographic. Recently, the platform aggregated a list of scholarship opportunities for Black students, putting all of the potential awards in one place and eliminating the hassle, Black Enterprise reports. While many students boast remarkable numbers in scholarship awards, sometimes totaling millions in potential scholarship opportunities, the key to this success is finding them. Apps like Scholaroo join other companies and organizations like the NAACP, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Scholly , in solving the complex issue of securing funding for college. “There are hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarships that were going unclaimed every year simply because students just didn’t know they existed, and that was an issue for me. Especially students of color who need these dollars the most and them not knowing or having access to that capital, or anyone with capital, it [was] really disturbing,” Scholly owner Christopher Gray previously explained regarding the inspiration behind his app. Scholaroo now has more than 140 scholarships listed on their site specifically for African American students ranging from $500 to $100,000. The crippling effects of student loan debt across the U.S. is an ongoing issue that impacts minority students the most. Individuals and companies alike have stepped up to try and offer opportunities to curb the debt for students, with scholarships and grants serving as urgent and timely help for students facing or drowning in college debt. Last year, Billionaire Robert Smith who previously paid off student loan debt for Morehouse students and their parents , announced $1.8 million in microgrants for students under his Student Freedom Initiative banner. While there are many scholarships reserved for academic funding, Smith hoped to address the wraparound financial issues that may also impact students' ability to get their education. “Over 75% of students at HBCUs are considered low-income, relying on Pell Grants to meet their college expenses. However, for many of these students, these grants are not enough…During recent onsite visits at multiple HBCUs, we learned from executive leadership and student focus groups that many of our students are unable to overcome financial challenges for expenses that are not directly related to the cost of college. These expenses, left unaddressed, can derail their college plans,” explained Mark A. Brown, Executive Director of the Student Freedom Initiative where Smith serves as Chairman. What companies like these and Scholaroo have shown us is that there is available money for students who need it. By compiling these resources for African American students, Scholaroo is ensuring more access and opportunity for students to receive. For that, we say thank you! To view the full Scholaroo list of scholarship opportunities for Black students, click here . https://scholaroo.com/black-student-scholarships/ Original Post: Because of Them We Can® Cover photo: Scholaroo app has compiled list of scholarships for Black students/Photo Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images

12 students are participating in Sinclair’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. Sinclair Community College is inspiring students to explore degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. This week, 12 students are participating in Sinclair’s LSAMP Summer Bridge Institute. Sinclair College is one of 10 higher education institutions in Ohio participating in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. The purpose of the alliance is to significantly increase underrepresented minority student recruitment, retention, persistence, and attainment of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Louis Stokes was an attorney, civil rights pioneer, and the first African American congressman to represent Ohio. He served 15 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sinclair’s 2023 LSAMP Summer Bridge Institute gives students a handson preview of a variety of STEM programs including mechanical engineering technology, engineering, biology, biotechnology, computer science, and chemistry. Throughout the week, students are meeting Sinclair’s STEM faculty, touring classrooms and labs, developing study skills to be successful, receiving specialized instruction for college-level courses, and learning time and stress management skills. “Sinclair’s LSAMP Summer Bridge Institute is a tremendous opportunity to prepare our students for college STEM courses and guide them on their journey to academic and career success,” said Marita K. Abram, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Sinclair LSAMP Program Coordinator. The Sinclair LSAMP Summer Bridge Institute is specifically designed for students who have enrolled in a STEM program at Sinclair. The goal of the “bridge” program is to aid students’ transition to the academic rigor expected at the college level and increase student confidence and ability to navigate campus resources to help them be successful in their STEM program. The students were honored on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the LSAMP Summer Bridge Celebration Banquet featuring keynote speaker Dr. Marc Allen Smith, biology professor and U.S. Air Force Veteran. Launched in 2013, Sinclair’s LSAMP Summer Bridge Institute is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation. Learn more about the program at: www.sinclair.edu/lsamp .

Class of 1971 celebrates 70 years of life! The Nettie Lee Roth High School Class of 1971 gathered for fun, games and fellowship while celebrating 70 years of life on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The fourth quarter of 2022 marked the 70th for many. The calendar year of 2023 will mark the 70th for others. Their special bond has kept them together as classmates and lifelong friends. Like a family, they have stuck together over the years. Some classmates have passed on. In remembrance of them, classmates had a moment of silence. The class of 1971 have retained their bond since their young, teenage days. Now they have grown and matured and most all have enjoyed reunions and special gatherings together. If you are celebrating a major milestone, we want to celebrate with you! To share your story with our community, submit your celebration details and photos on our Contact page .

By: Emmalee Dotson Young Ladies Aspiring Greatness Contributor On June 24,2023, Young Ladies Aspiring Greatness (YLAG) celebrated 10 years of empowering teen-aged African American girls to make a difference in the communities around them. With the help of many sponsors and organizations that were willing to offer opportunities, as well as the great work of founder Ms. Shirelle Stroud , YLAG has been able to continuously fulfill it’s mission. “I felt as a Ylagger the 10-year anniversary fundraising gala was a great way to celebrate the work we have done in the community and really see how YLAG has impacted us as people and to see how we are supported by people in the community. It was also nice to see everyone be recognized from the great work they have done.” states current Ylagger, Kennedy Andrews. During the gala, YLAG’s many initiatives were recognized for the great impact they have had on the community. “ YLAG represents the heartbeat of community service. They continue to shine as examples of leadership and commitment with a willingness to making a difference in all that they do. 10 years of volunteer service in the community shows the strong commitment these young ladies have given themselves too. We are proud of each of them and their contributions to our community. Shirelle Stroud is to be commended for her dedication to the young ladies of the Greater Miami Valley. Her hard work and consistent dedication over these 10 years has made the girls of YLAG’s lives and experience immensely greater through volunteerism and philanthropy. “states Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald. Over the years, YLAG has touched over 70 girls, many parents, and our community with the hopes of making a difference each step of the way. Throughout their journey, the community have begun to grow an unconditional love and support for YLAG. “ I absolutely LOVE the opportunity to be connected with Shirelle Stroud and the work she is doing with YLAG. Because her work is an alignment with what I believe- to whom much is given much is required- I will always say “Yes!” when she calls on me. WE are the village that is responsible for the growth and development of the young ladies in our community.” states Dr. Karen Townsend.

The campaign to honor DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden will wrap up on July 6 when Dayton Contemporary Dance Company mails 14 boxes containing over 14,000 signed letters and postcards to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. The boxes are stuffed with letters and postcards signed by dance lovers from Dayton, and Ohio, but also from New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, California, Missouri and Virginia. Through a Black History month initiative, we were able to collect over 1700 letters from Dayton Public School students. There are special endorsements from Ohio Representative, the Honorable Mike Turner, as well as from former Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin. DCDC wishes to thank retired DPS Educator, Patricia Day for her tireless and monumental efforts in spearheading this campaign, by which none of this would have been possible. DCDC also thanks Dayton, for its unquestioning support and immediate embrace of this initiative. We are confident that the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee will recognize the importance of Dayton native, Jeraldyne Blunden, to the region and nation, and will rightfully issue a stamp in her honor. For the latest opportunities to engage with us, visit www.dcdc.org and connect with us on social media: Facebook/Instagram: @daytoncontemporarydancecompany & Twitter: @DCDCLive. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) was founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for African American dancers. 55 years later, it remains rooted in the African-American experience, committed to the presentation of accomplished movement artists on the global stage. DCDC is known for its extraordinary artistic expression, precision, and athleticism. Having the world’s largest repertoire of classic works by African American choreographers, this Dayton, Ohio, company continues to be celebrated at home and abroad. Founder, Jeraldyne Blunden, built a company that is welcome not only in Dayton but on the premier stages in New York, DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Toronto, Chile, Poland, France, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Germany, China and South Korea. Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs continues the company’s long legacy of innovative and classic choreography by 20th and 21st century choreographers, including Donald Byrd, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Kiesha Lalama, Ray Mercer, Paul Taylor, Ulysses Dove, Doug Varone and Rennie Harris.

If you ever wanted to know more about the Negro League and its illustrious history, wait no more. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI), executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (Oscar-winning SUMMER OF SOUL), Mark Cuban, Todd Wagner, Tariq Trotter (DESCENDANT), and produced by RadicalMedia, THE LEAGUE celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball’s triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The story is told through previously unearthed archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil – whose early careers paved the way for the Jackie Robinson era. Also included are celebrated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron who started out in the Negro Leagues. From entrepreneurial titans Cumberland Posey and Gus Greenlee, whose intense rivalry fueled the rise of two of the best baseball teams ever to play the game, to Effa Manley, the activist owner of the Newark Eagles and the only woman ever admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, THE LEAGUE explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration. The history of the Negro League is certainly a fascinating one. From The Negro League Museum: African-Americans began to play baseball in the late 1800s on military teams, college teams, and company teams. They eventually found their way to professional teams with white players. Moses Fleetwood Walker and Bud Fowler were among the first to participate. However, racism and “Jim Crow” laws would force them from these teams by 1900. Thus, black players formed their own units, “barnstorming” around the country to play anyone who would challenge them. In 1920, an organized league structure was formed under the guidance of Andrew “Rube” Foster—a former player, manager, and owner for the Chicago American Giants. In a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Mo., Foster and a few other Midwestern team owners joined to form the Negro National League. Soon, rival leagues formed in Eastern and Southern states, bringing the thrills and innovative play of black baseball to major urban centers and rural country sides in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. THE LEAGUE will open exclusively in AMC Theaters on July 7 and will be available on digital July 14. Before then, check out the film’s trailer and some photos of some of the teams and players highlighted below! 1. The 1942 AA Marines 2. The 1916 Chicago American Giants led by manager Rube Foster 3. The Newark Eagles in 1936 4. Bob Motley in action! 5. Black baseball players from Morris Brown College 6. Sam Pollard The Dynamic Journey Of Negro League Baseball Is Celebrated In The Official Trailer For ‘The League’ was originally published on globalgrind.com .

Madison Gonzalez is a Central State University rising senior and social work major Madison Gonzalez has found her passions — to ensure everyone with whom she works knows their voice will be heard and valued; to help others so they can, in turn, become change agents. Gonzalez is a Central State University rising senior and social work major in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She plans to graduate after the fall semester and is committed to discovering innovative ways to meet the needs of underserved communities. Gonzalez recently took time out of her busy schedule to share her University experience and future aspirations. Her face lights up when she talks about her internship in estate planning with Franklin County Probate Court. Still wearing her scrubs after a shift at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where Gonzalez is a summer intern, she smiles broadly when talking about the children and families she is honored to support. College has not been easy for Gonzalez, who hails from Columbus, Ohio, but she has persevered, matured, and learned more about herself than she knew possible. After graduating high school, Gonzalez's heart was set on attending another university, but she found the price tag was not within her reach. So, with encouragement from alumni — her aunt, Angela Walker, ’87, and grandmother, Denise E. Scott, ’76 — Gonzalez ultimately landed at Central State, the most affordable public university in Ohio , according to CollegeCalc. It was a decision that changed the trajectory of her life. When Gonzalez first got to Central State, she was undecided on a major. First, she considered psychology. As psychology courses overlapped with the social work curriculum, Gonzalez began asking herself whether social work would be the right career for her. “The more I talked to professors, teachers, and family, the more they were encouraging me to consider social work,” Gonzalez said. “At first, I didn’t think social work would be a good fit. You hear horror stories. But I started taking classes and doing research on my own, and it was the perfect fit. … I was drawn to the flexibility I would have — I could be in a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or another setting.” Gonzalez said she always knew she wanted to help people. “I knew it wasn’t in the aspect of open-heart surgery,” she laughed. “It was more so in ... meeting people’s needs.” Gonzalez said conversations with Professor Nikkita Jackson helped her narrow down the many options for careers she could follow with a degree in social work. Another area of interest is the growing rate of police departments using rapid response teams, which combine the resources and knowledge of police officers, social workers, and community members to help people in crisis. “There is training and different types of situations where a social worker could be a great advocate in that space,” she said. Despite her race to the finish line, Gonzalez did not originally plan to graduate early. “When I first got here, I was going to try to figure it out and get my feet wet in college,” she said. “Quite naturally, it didn’t magically happen for me. I did fail a class, but I took that moment to be realistic with myself. ‘You need to focus. You got here, you took a tumble, and now you will pick yourself up from there.’ I studied, did my homework, asked more questions, took more notes, and bounced ideas off my peers. I was doing so well that I decided I was going to get this done early.” During the spring semester — before Gonzalez walks with the graduating class of 2024 — she will stay busy studying to earn social work licensure. From there? The sky’s the limit. “I essentially want to get my foot in the door (at Nationwide Children’s Hospital) to work with children or adolescents,” Gonzalez said. “Kids are our little angels. I want to make sure they’re being advocated for because as children, they may not always have a voice. I want them to know that they’re just as important as Mom and Dad, their auntie, and their cousins. I want to help them so they can help people, too.”

Asia Kimpson, a rising sophomore from Detroit, Michigan, has been named the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Yard Ambassador & Influencer, or Yardi, at Central State University. Established in 1987 and accredited through Charity Navigator and Guide Star, TMCF supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs). It has awarded over $300 million in assistance to students and member-schools since its inception, TMCF reports on its website. The Yardi Ambassador & Influencer (YA&I) program identifies highly motivated scholars to represent TMCF on their campuses, serving as the face of the brand and creating innovative ways to introduce peers and faculty to the organization. The year-long program includes marketing, public speaking, building relationships, and developing social media skills after a two-day professional development session. As Central State’s Yardi, Kimpson will have the opportunity to attend the award-winning TMCF Leadership Institute in the fall and have access to exclusive scholarships. Kimpson is studying business administration with a concentration in marketing and plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in May 2026. “We are thrilled that Honors student Asia Kimpson is our new student representative for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” said Paul A. Schlag, Ph.D., executive director of the Honors College and International Affairs. “Asia embodies the essence of a charismatic leader, her infectious energy and enthusiasm radiating through everything she does. With her exceptional drive and dedication to academic excellence, Asia is a true inspiration to her peers and a testament to the values of Central State University. “We have no doubt that Asia will make a remarkable ambassador, positively influencing and empowering students while supporting TMCF’s mission to ensure student success by promoting educational excellence and encouraging her peers to engage in the leadership development opportunities TMCF provides.” Kimpson is ready to carry on a new tradition as the University’s second Yardi. Office of Career Services Director Karla Harper said Central State’s first Yardi, Brooklyn Suber, graduated in May. On behalf of Career Services, Harper congratulated Kimpson on being selected. “It is always a win when a student can leverage the opportunity to engage with multiple employers and then share the same opportunities with their campus community,” Harper said. “We know Asia is going to do an amazing job, and the Office of Career Services is here to support her every step of the way.” An avid social media user, Kimpson said she is excited to spread a message about the value of quality education, establish connections in her field, and leverage networking opportunities. Ultimately, she is ready to share her love for Central State, Ohio’s only public HBCU and 1890 LandGrant Institution, and the opportunities that TMCF provides. Kimpson said she genuinely appreciates the family and community atmosphere at Central State. “I feel a sense of closeness and support among individuals so strong that I rarely get any feelings of homesickness,” she added. Kimpson selected Central State for her undergraduate degree after meeting with University representatives at the Detroit College Expo. “I was embraced by a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “The recruiters from the school gave such enthusiasm and genuine interest, leaving a lasting impression on me. “Central State University has provided me with a new sense of focus. It has allowed me to concentrate wholeheartedly on my future aspirations and has enabled me to gain valuable connections with individuals who possess the skills to support and guide me toward achieving my dreams. I am in my first semester, yet I have already been blessed with numerous opportunities,” Kimpson added. One such opportunity was The Pitch ’23, a TMCF collaboration at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina in May. “This remarkable event focused on business pitches, where students presented their innovative ideas to various companies. Out of a staggering pool of 800 applicants, I was honored to be among the 200 selected students. Continuing my journey, this month, I am on a trip to Washington, D.C., for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Yard Ambassador and Influencer Immersion program. This experience aims to equip me with the skills and knowledge to excel as a Yardie on our illustrious campus.” Students selected for the YA&I program can earn up to $1,500 per school year, plus potential bonuses and other financial incentives. To learn more, visit www.tmcf.org/career/yardambassador-influencer/. About Central State University: Central State University is a public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant Institution with a 135-year tradition of preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences for leadership, research, and service. Central State ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s best colleges in five categories, including Best Undergraduate Engineering Program and Top Public Schools. The University fosters academic excellence within a nurturing environment and provides a solid liberal arts foundation and STEMAg curriculum leading to professional careers and advanced studies globally.

House leaders and the head of the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a stamp Wednesday honoring the late Rep. John Lewis. The stamp design features a 2013 photograph of Lewis, D-Ga., taken by Marco Grob for Time magazine, the Postal Service said in a news release. The selvage, or a stamp pane's margin, will feature a 1963 photograph of Lewis taken by Steve Schapiro outside a nonviolent protest workshop. The official dedication ceremony for the John Lewis Forever stamp will take place July 21 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said at Wednesday's event on Capitol Hill. He also said the Postal Service plans to rename Atlanta’s main post office for Lewis. "Our nation certainly benefited from his fearlessness and his unfailing willingness to get into good trouble," DeJoy said. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Linda Earley Chastang, who was Lewis' chief of staff, also spoke. "I may be in a different party, I may have different views, but I'm an American. I got goose bumps and I got tears thinking how far we had come and thinking that John Lewis led the march on that bridge and led the introduction that day," McCarthy said, recalling Lewis' introduction of President Barack Obama in 2015 at the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Alabama. Jeffries said: "The stamp will forever represent and commemorate one of our country's greatest sons and the conscience of our Congress. It's appropriate that one of our forever heroes will be recognized with a Forever stamp." Lewis served in the House from 1987 until his death on July 17, 2020, months after he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 80. He was sometimes called the "conscience of Congress" and was a longtime proponent of peaceful protests. "The action of Rosa Parks and the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. inspired me to find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble — good trouble, necessary trouble," Lewis said in a 2015 speech. His phrase "good trouble" became a rallying cry for supporters advocating for equality. Lewis was an original member of the Freedom Riders, and Alabama state troopers fractured his skull in Selma in 1965 during “Bloody Sunday.” In July 2020, Lewis became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol. "Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe," Lewis wrote in a 2020 New York Times oped published after his death. "In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring."

The Third Annual Dayton Area HBCU Send-Off will be held Sunday June 25th from 1pm- 4pm at Horizon Science Academy located at 250 Shoup Mill Rd. The event is designed to celebrate and support Dayton area students who are headed off to one of our nation’s Historically Black Colleges or Universities. Registered students will receive a basket of dorm essentials that will help them with a smooth transition to their HBCU, whether they are a new or returning student. The baskets include toiletries, sheets, towels, laundry detergent and other supplies. This event is a great opportunity for learning, networking,and building relationships with fellow students and alumni. Alumni representatives from several HBCUs will be on hand to answer questions, greet college bound students and provide information to families and current high school students who may be interested in attending an HBCU in the future. Schools scheduled to be in attendance this year include: Central State University Kentucky State University Tuskegee University Alabama A&M University Howard University Hampton University Fisk University Tennessee State University Spelman College Morehouse College Alabama State University Grambling University Jackson State University North Carolina A&T State University Florida A&M University Wilberforce University Fraternities and sororities will also be on hand to engage with students and families. Several companies will be there to discuss internships and other job opportunities, and this year’s event will feature financial literacy sessions hosted by representatives from area financial institutions. There will also be giveaways of laptops, chromebooks, mini refrigerators and microwaves. The HBCU Send-Off will include entertainment, food trucks, line dancing, greek strolling, a live DJ and host Faith Daniels from WROU, 92.1. Last year’s attendees described the event’s atmosphere as a mix between a block party, family reunion, and a homecoming full of black excellence and highlighting HBCU culture. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to contact the event organizers email: daytonhbcusendoff@gmail.com

By Nate Dillard, Elevate Dayton The big picture: The looming U.S. debt ceiling crisis could spell financial trouble for the nation, particularly for marginalized groups, such as Black Americans. As Congress tussles over raising the federal debt limit, the threat of an unprecedented default hangs heavy,according to The Grio. Why it matters: If the U.S. defaults on its loans, it could trigger far-reaching economic turmoil. This scenario could disproportionately impact Black and brown households, including those in Dayton, Ohio, where many depend on federal services. Zoom in: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insists on spending cuts in return for a debt limit increase, which could lead to reduced funding for public schools and safety programs. As Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) explains, such cuts could harm the entire country, but especially the Black community. What we're hearing: Many experts, including equity scholar Michael Neal, warn of an uncertain fallout from a U.S. default. The possible fallout includes the suspension of federal workers' pay and a stoppage of vital services like food stamps and Social Security, which support a significant percentage of the Black community. Between the lines: The prospect of a default also spells danger for Black veterans and older Black women, who are typically more reliant on federal benefits due to systemic issues such as wage disparities and access to healthcare. What we're watching: The knock-on effect on the economy could increase borrowing costs for things such as auto, home, and personal loans. Neal also warns that communities of color, who typically have weaker credit profiles, could face increased credit access difficulties. The backstory: The debt ceiling is the legislative limit of money the U.S. government can borrow. As the nation's expenditure exceeds its revenue, the need to increase the debt limit becomes imperative to avoid defaulting on its debts. Catch up quickly: The U.S. has never defaulted on its loans, and it's currently in uncharted territory as the June 1 deadline approaches. If an agreement is not reached, the repercussions could be devastating. What's next: The future of the U.S. economy now largely rests on President Biden's ability to negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling and avoid spending cuts. The bottom line: The debt ceiling crisis could be financially disastrous for many Americans, especially Black and brown communities, if not handled carefully. Go deeper: The ongoing crisis underscores the need for a balanced approach to fiscal policies that protect the most vulnerable while maintaining economic stability. The community angle: The Black and brown communities of Dayton, Ohio, like many across the U.S., rely heavily on federally funded services, and they stand to bear the brunt of the impending crisis. They could face more significant struggles due to systemic disparities in healthcare, education, and the labor market. These communities will need special attention to buffer the potential negative impacts of the debt ceiling crisis. This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.

By Zack Frink, Elevate Dayton A mini-grant program funded by the City of Dayton has started to empower small minority- and women-owned businesses by offering them much-needed financial assistance for expansion and growth, reports the Dayton Daily News. The big picture: The city of Dayton has allocated $1.5 million from its federal COVID relief funds to the Miami Valley Urban League for a micro-grant program known as the Dayton Resiliency Fund. Driving the news: The program, which began in February, recently awarded 23 micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to minority- and women-owned businesses, distributing over $135,000 in its first round of funding. Zoom in: The awarded businesses span sectors including healthcare, construction, childcare, food services and professional services. Each recipient provided an explanation of how their finances had been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Between the lines: The program highlights the lack of access to capital that often constrains small businesses, a barrier that this initiative is designed to address. By the numbers: In the first round, the Miami Valley Urban League received about 35 applications. Officials hope that around 550 small minority- women-led businesses will eventually benefit from these micro-grants. What's next: The Urban League is set to announce the recipients of the second round of funding in June, with applications for a third funding round opening next week. Go deeper: Businesses interested in applying for the grant should be at least six-months old and be prepared to detail how they have been financially impacted by the pandemic. Along with the grant, recipients also receive technical assistance from the Urban League. This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.