Shaquille O’Neal Unveils Back Black Business Program

The Coalition launches with a $10 million commitment to fund a grant program over the next four years. A portion of the grant will also fund leadership development and business mentoring.

“Not only are we giving money," notes Shaq, "but we give mentorship to help get their businesses to the next level.”

Eligible Black small business owners, including music enterprises, will be considered for a $5,000 grant.

Applications open today at webackblackbusinesses.com with a tight turnaround; the deadline for submissions is Sept. 21. The Coalition will then randomly select 280 “finalist” applicants, who will be notified via email by Sept. 22 to complete a more in-depth application, due Sept. 28.

Also, special consideration will be given to women-owned businesses, which will make up at least 25% of the awarded grants, organizers say.

The historic Coalition marks the first-of-its-kind partnership between four major Black chambers: the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., the National Business League, the National Black Chamber of Commerce and Walker’s Legacy.

The health emergency has crippled the live entertainment space, and put a dent in the calendar for the foreseeable future. Shaq's own live events are, like most other shows on the planet, on hold.

The four-time NBA champion's Shaq’s Fun House festival -- a part festival, part carnival brand -- took place in Miami last January with performances from Pitbull, Diddy, Tiesto, Diplo and DaBaby.

“I definitely want to bring that back. We just have to make sure everything is safe,” he tells Billboard. “I hope we can get back to reality soon. We’ll see what happens in 2021. Who knows.”