Black Business Incubator Curate Noir Prepares to Open in Camden
AC JosepH Media
CAMDEN — Curate Noir, the African American business incubator that helped numerous small businesses in Moorestown, is scheduling a new opening on Haddon Avenue in Camden to drive entrepreneurial innovation there this month.
Project funders, local dignitaries and Haddon Avenue business and restaurant owners, Parkside Business & Community In Partnership and the Latin American Economic Development Association will hold a media event introducing Curate Noir at 1327 Haddon Avenue, at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15.
Black entrepreneurship is also an important tool that can help decrease New Jersey’s generational wealth gap. The NJ Institute For Social Justice reports the state’s racial wealth gap is $300,000, nearly double the national average.
According to the NJEDA, black entrepreneurs still face inequitable access to financial capital. Small businesses are usually strapped for cash with most of the money earned goes into paying for the operating costs of the businesses, leaving little for investment.
The official grand opening will take place Saturday, Sept. 23 during the Haddon Avenue Street Festival from noon to 5 p.m.
Curate Noir, owned by Nika and Alban Corbett, will occupy a newly restored building that has been a vacant building that has sat idle for more than 20 years.
“Curate Noir is a retail business incubator that uplifts Black artisans, creators, and entrepreneurs by creating spaces to showcase their products, connect with customers, and build meaningful networks,” a statement from PBCIP and LAEDA said.
“The Corbett’s Moorestown Mall location and their Black Business Expos at PREIT’s Moorestown and Cherry Hill Malls are part of a comprehensive model that supports economic and community empowerment. In addition to retail opportunities, Curate Noir provides marketing support and education to minority small businesses, helping them navigate the challenges of business ownership.”
At the media event, James Beard Award Winner Corinne’s Place and Donkey’s Place Steaks — will be available. Attendees will also enjoy specialties from Blowin’ Smoque barbecue, Perrioz Pizza and sweet healthy treats compliments of Body Designer’s Fitness Studio.
Funding for the complete restoration of Curate Noir’s new space came from New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program and $350,000 from DCA’s Neighborhood Preservation Program Community Capital Needs grants.
New Jersey American Water, Campbell Soup and M&T Bank contributed NRTC tax credits toward this project — which was awarded the Leading Innovative Economic Development Award at the 2022 Governors Excellence in Housing & Economic Development Conference.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation contributed pre-development funding; and PNC, as part of their commitment to small and microenterprise businesses, provided funding through the Parkside Economic Development Economic Empowerment Social Justice Program.
Parkside Business & Community In Partnership, Inc. is a membership-based organization dedicated to rebuilding, rather than replacing, Parkside’s assets through advocacy, collaboration, and unwavering commitment.
The Latin American Economic Development Association is a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to the creation of small business ownership opportunities for all minorities, to contribute to the growth and success of small businesses and the development of the marketplace in the communities it serve.
For more information, contact Bridget Phifer, PBCIP’s CEO at 856-964-0440, ext. 11 or bphifer@pbcip.org.
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