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The racial reckoning sparked by George Floyd’s murder in 2020 led several of the country’s largest corporations — from Apple to Target to Goldman Sachs — to pledge support for entrepreneurs from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

Many corporations promised spending, investment, mentorship and all forms of additional support.

However, a study conducted earlier this year revealed that only a portion of pledges from U.S. companies had materialized. In Minnesota, some businesses owned by people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds have reported a surge followed by a subsequent decline in support.

Angela Davis on Wednesday hosted In Focus: A Seat at the Table: BIPOC Businesses’ Inclusion in the Minnesota Economy, a conversation with business leaders, entrepreneurs and others working toward lasting change in Minnesota’s economy. The conversation was rebroadcast on MPR News on Thursday.