Alright, so what can small and minority business owners do to stay competitive and secure their place in this evolving industry? Leverage private sector While federal DEI programs are under attack, private companies still have diversity goals. Large corporations working in clean energy and tech still need diverse suppliers. And that's where partnerships can be valuable. Focus on the sustainability angle. The federal government may be moving away from race conscious policies, but but environmental sustainability is still a priority.

The businesses that participated in These networks were 75% more likely to to survive extended shutdowns. But it's not just about survival. Some actually emerged stronger because they developed new capabilities and partnerships. You know, that reminds me of the data from the Small Business Administration. Before shutdowns, only about 15% of minority owned businesses had significant private sector contracts. Now that number is closer to 35%. Exactly right.

Let's talk about problem solving. At its core, entrepreneurship is about identifying problems and finding solutions. When young people learn to think like an entrepreneur, they start looking at challenges as opportunities instead of roadblocks. That's a game changer. Instead of saying, I wish this existed, young entrepreneurs think, how can I create this? That ability to innovate and adapt will serve them well whether they're starting businesses or leading in other fields.

Welcome back to another episode of the Alpha Flight podcast, where we break down financial literacy, wealth building, and economic empowerment for our communities. I'm Ricardo Cumberbatch. And I'm Hebrew Dickson. Today we're tackling a question that affects all of us, whether we realize it or not. Why does the stock market's ups and downs impact our daily lives? And more importantly, what does it mean for those in underserved communities?

But AI chatbots and virtual assistants like Deepseek can handle Instant Customer Responses 24, 7 Resolve common issues without a human rep, schedule appointments, process refunds and upsell products all through automation. That's huge. For entrepreneurs and small businesses. Imagine being able to handle customer service with AI while you focus on growing your business. Alright, we know what you're thinking. AI sounds amazing, but where do I start?

🚨 New Alpha Flite Podcast Episode Alert! 🚨

🎙️ The High Cost of Starlink: How Rural America is Losing Out on Affordable High-Speed Internet

🚀 The BEAD program was set to bring affordable, high-speed broadband to rural communities, but now it’s being replaced by Starlink—a high-cost, satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk.

❌ What does this mean for rural businesses, families, and students?
💰 How much more will customers have to pay?
⚡ Why is this decision bad for economic growth in rural areas?
📉 How will this impact farmers, small businesses, and property values?

🔎 We break it all down in our latest episode of Alpha Flite Podcast—because fast, affordable internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity!
📢 Share your thoughts in the comments! Should rural America be forced to rely on Starlink?

#AlphaFlitePodcast #DigitalDivide #BroadbandForAll #Starlink #FinancialLiteracy #TechForChange

🚨 NEW Alpha Flite Podcast Episode Alert! 🚨

🎙️ "What the Rise and Fall of Fintech Means for the Underserved – 2025 Update"

The Fintech revolution was supposed to change the game—no banks, no barriers, just access. But in 2025, the reality looks very different. From mass layoffs to app shutdowns, we break down what the Fintech fallout really means for Black and Brown communities, small business owners, and everyday people who relied on these tools.

💡 Who’s being left behind?
💰 What can you do to protect your financial future?
🛠️ How do we build smarter solutions moving forward?

Tune in as hosts Ricardo Cumberbatch and Hebrew Dixon unpack the truth and offer real strategies to move forward.

#FintechForThePeople #DigitalDivide2025 #AlphaFlitePodcast