Grow with Google’s Digital Coaches program, which provides digital skills training and coaching to help Black and Latinx small businesses prosper, is launching in Birmingham this month.
According to a release, the Grow with Google initiative aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the nation by providing digital skills training, tools and expertise — all free of charge.
“Birmingham has a vibrant and growing Black and LatinX small business community,” stated Lucy Pinto, Google’s Digital Coaches program manager.
“The Digital Coaches program will provide business owners in these communities with ongoing workshops and hands-on coaching sessions focused on the techniques and digital tools to reach new customers, thrive online and grow,” added Pinto.
Coaches in the program provide ongoing support, including virtual trainings in communities with a high density and growing segment of diverse small business owners.
“I am grateful to Google’s Digital Coaches program for helping to equip Black and LatinX small business owners in Birmingham with the tools they need to thrive in the digital era,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07).
“Small businesses are the strongest economic engine in Alabama,” she continued. “It is critically important that as our economy recovers, we address the challenges posed by persistent unemployment in parts of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District by promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.”
Tye Miles, founder & CEO of Birmingham-based Tye Miles International, will serve as the Grow with Google Digital Coach for the Magic City. These coaches nationwide are successful Black and Latinx entrepreneurs with a passion for providing small businesses the digital skills resources they need to thrive online.
Miles runs a consulting firm providing coaching on personal and business development. Additionally, she is the creator of the personal development brand FierceHER Women, founder of Women’s Well-Being Firm, a Certified Personal Coach, business strategist, personal branding Expert, international speaker and entrepreneur.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Google Digital Coaches Program here in my hometown and am thankful for the company’s leadership in making a program of this kind happen,” commented Miles. “Having grown up knowing I wanted far beyond the circumstances around me, the skills that this program will provide will enhance others’ business acumen so that they too can experience the success they are working so hard to achieve.”
The first free workshop — Get Your Local Business On Google Search and Maps — will be held via video conference on October 27 at 6:00 p.m. local time. Content will strive to help small business owners ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about their respective businesses online.
In addition to the workshop, attendees will hear from a Grow with Google representative, and Torin Brazzle, executive director for IGNITE! Alabama, who will lead a fireside chat. IGNITE! is an initiative focused on assisting small minority business owners in staying informed and receiving access to federal, state and local funding.
Moving forward, Grow with Google workshops will be hosted in Birmingham by Miles on a regular basis, including the following sessions:
• Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. CDT – Fundamentals of Online Marketing
• Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. CDT – Make Your Website Work for You
• Nov 14. at 12 p.m. CDT – Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks
• Nov. 19 1:00 p.m. CDT – Connect with Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely
Learn more about the program and register here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
