CLT Black Owned ‘drops receipts’ on People’s Market fundraising effort
A Charlotte organization that aims to support small, Black-owned businesses is addressing money raised through crowdfunding last fall in an attempt to help keep The People’s Market open — and where the rest is being spent now.
CLT Black Owned — which says it’s a “social good company” and “is a connector for authentic community in the Charlotte market” — stepped in last November, when the popular Charlotte restaurant closed both its locations after a cascade of financial struggles proved too big of a hurdle to overcome.
The group quickly set up a GoFundMe to help keep The People’s Market open in Elizabeth and Myers Park, but its efforts were unsuccessful despite significant community support.
More than five months later, an Instagram post by CLT Black Owned is taking a stand “in response to some b.s.” to “clear a few things up. And drop the receipts.” The allegations that prompted the post and who is making them are unclear.
“The trust we’ve built with this community over wasn’t built by accident. and it’s not something we take lightly. We earned it by staying true to our mission to support charlotte’s black-owned businesses, and over the last six years, we’ve found creative ways to do this. and we’ll continue to... because our community deserves nothing less,” the post continued.
CharlotteFive reached out to CLT Black Owned about the post on Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning but has not yet received a response.
CLT Black Owned’s explanation
The post goes on to explain the volunteer-led group raised about $27,000 in under two weeks but noted — as it did back in November — that the effort wasn’t enough to save The People’s Market.
A CLT Black Owned plan to pay out some of the funds to business owner Cory Duran to help employees who had not gotten paychecks and reserve some for other struggling, Black-owned businesses was detailed Nov. 19.
Duran received $9,500 on Dec. 22, and the newly created mutual aid program — The People’s Fund — started accepting applications Feb. 1, the post said.
No money has been kept by CLT Black Owned members, which puts profits from any venture back into the organization or supports Black-owned businesses, according to the post.
The post also goes on to say that The People’s Fund has received nine applications for crisis and growth funding, and as of Tuesday, April 21, CLT Black Owned has dispersed $10,500 in funding for essential repairs, emergency rent and other needs.
Community response
Responses to the post included Charlotte Black business owners and community members who donated funds and were supportive of how the situation was handled.
Beyond Amazing Donuts, owned by Jasmine Macon, was among the group’s supporters.
“This is honestly wild to see. As a recipient of one of the microgrants, I can say firsthand that CLT Black-Owned showed up and did the work. I’m beyond grateful for the support,” she wrote in response to the post. “Keep going. You’re appreciated more than you probably hear.”
Wingzza Mambo Sauce, owned by Larry Swayne, offered a similar thought: “CLT Black Owned has shown up for our business in so many ways over the years and has gone above and beyond time and time again to make connections to support others in the community. We got your backs, thanks for having ours!”
Donors speaking out included The Cravings Queen food influencer Arielle Patterson, who wrote: “I happily donated back in the fall knowing that would ensure that the money was allocated properly. LOVE the creation of The People’s Fund as another way to support our local Black-owned businesses.”
Erica Wieck Stawick responded in support, as well, saying: “@thecravingsqueen same. If I was that worried I wouldn’t have donated. Carry on.”
