About Us
OVERVIEW OF BENEDICT COLLEGE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER (BCWBC)
Everyone deserves a chance. This mantra is revitalized by the Women’s Business Center through its original benefactor, Bathsheba Barber Benedict. Because of her passion for education and desire to aid the further learning of freemen in 1869, Mrs. Benedict bestowed financial contributions to the college every year until her death. Her desire to financially aid in the educational aspirations of the less fortunate fabricated her as the major venture capitalist and namesake of Benedict College, then Benedict Institute.
From our offices on this historic campus, this mantra echoes throughout the 80+ acres. The Women’s Business Center (WBC) offers business training, one-on-one counseling and financing resources to help women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. By providing these tools to the deserving women of South Carolina, the WBC contributes to the economic, cultural, and social vitality of the community at large. By educating and empowering underserved women, we hope to channel the selfless spirit of the college’s namesake, for everyone deserves a chance.
WHO WE ARE
- A newly designated Women’s Business Center by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA);
- The only Federally funded HBCU in the nation with statewide coverage operating a WBC;
- Economic development organization;
- Part of a nationwide network of community, business and economic development programs; and
- Professional and trained business advisors.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Benedict College Women’s Business Center (BC WBC) is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across South Carolina.
Purpose
The BC WBC will provide a statewide ecosystem for minority women-owned businesses through job creation, increased revenue and the achievement of economic independence.
OUR Vision
The vision of the BC WBC is to create a gateway out of poverty for socially and economically disadvantaged women entrepreneurs by starting, growing and expanding their businesses.
WHO WE SERVE
While we provide assistance to all businesses, our efforts primarily focus on women, particularly minority women that have historically experienced more social and economic disparities in comparison to their counterparts.
CORE SERVICES
- One-on-One Business Consulting
- Business Plans and Development
- Management and Technical Assistance
- Access to Capital and Resources
- Marketing and Advertising
- Financial Management
- Networking and Collaboration
- Education and Training
- Government Contracting and Certification Preparation