New Study Reveals Racial, Economic Disparities In Small Business Lending

By Stephanie Kim
Tiffany Williams of Exquisite To Go has run a catering business for the past two years. She dreams of one day launching a stand-alone restaurant in her native Woodlawn community.
Tiffany Williams of Exquisite To Go has run a catering business for the past two years. She dreams of one day launching a stand-alone restaurant in her native Woodlawn community. Linda Lutton/WBEZ
Tiffany Williams of Exquisite To Go has run a catering business for the past two years. She dreams of one day launching a stand-alone restaurant in her native Woodlawn community.
Tiffany Williams of Exquisite To Go has run a catering business for the past two years. She dreams of one day launching a stand-alone restaurant in her native Woodlawn community. Linda Lutton/WBEZ

New Study Reveals Racial, Economic Disparities In Small Business Lending

By Stephanie Kim
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Lower-income, minority areas in the Chicago region and throughout Illinois are losing out on millions of dollars in small business loans. 

That’s according to a new report released Tuesday by the Chicago-based Woodstock Institute. The report explains how that lack of investment translates into a loss of economic strength for those communities.

Morning Shift digs into the report with one of the study’s co-authors and small business owners in the Chicago region.

GUESTS: Lauren Nolan, former head of research at Woodstock Institute

Tiffany Williams, owner of Exquisite Catering and Events, Exquisite To Go

Jemiyah Beard, CEO and founder of Mary’s Master Cleaning Service

LEARN MORE: Lower-Income, Minority Areas In Chicago Region Losing Out On Millions In Small Business Loans (WBEZ 8/7/19)