{"id":3803,"date":"2021-02-17T08:08:42","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T14:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.blockadvisors.com\/?p=3803"},"modified":"2024-05-15T15:53:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T21:53:21","slug":"commitment-black-owned-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrbscaletest.hrblock.com\/resource-center\/news-center\/commitment-black-owned-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Block Advisors doubles down on its commitment to support Black-owned businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Ian Hardman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I\u2019m new to H&R Block, having joined the company in September 2020. While I\u2019ve always known Block to be a trusted \u201cbrand\u201d just around the corner, I\u2019ve since learned more about the company\u2019s long-standing commitment to hard-working Americans\u2014to help individuals, neighborhoods, and local small businesses thrive through financial confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ambition may sound lofty, but helping people thrive is deeply rooted in the passions of founders, Henry and Richard Bloch, and continues today as the life-blood of the company\u2019s nearly 70,000 associates. It was this passion, drive, and commitment that drew me to my current role within the organization, leading the growth of our Small Business imperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through H&R Block\u2019s Block Advisors team, we have the unique opportunity to serve millions of small business owners each year. By working in close partnership with them, we understand and have deep knowledge of the unique needs of business owners. We know even the slightest changes in the economy or consumer behavior can translate into significant financial challenges for our clients. We also know that our clients, including restaurateurs, builders and shop owners, started their businesses to be innovators of their craft\u2014not to be tax experts and bookkeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing Black-owned business support to life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And more importantly, our Block Advisors team across America is keenly aware of the unprecedented challenges business owners continue to face as the impact of the pandemic and uncertainty rages on, with Black-owned businesses experiencing an oversized brunt of the impact. New data from our \u201cSmall Business Recovery Series\u201d study<\/a> revealed that nearly half (47%) of small business owners are not optimistic about their businesses\u2019 success in 2021. And as it relates to Black-owned businesses, more than half experienced a 50% decrease in revenue during the pandemic, with 41% of all Black-owned businesses closing their doors for good between February and April during 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s where we at Block Advisors can do more\u2014we are doubling down on our efforts to support small business recovery and specifically Black-owned small business owners in two key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n