Live with Living Cities

B3 in Action: Building Pathways for Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Living Cities Season 2 Episode 1

In this mini-episode of Live with Living Cities, Norris Williams, Associate Director of Business Ownership, introduces Breaking Barriers to Business (B3)—a bold initiative designed to expand opportunity for entrepreneurs in long undervalued commercial corridors across the Southeast.

Through a partnership with Main Street America and support from Truist Foundation’s Where It Starts initiative, B3 is helping five cities align local government agencies, community-based organizations, and financial capital to better serve small business owners. By strengthening relationships, elevating community voice, and shifting harmful narratives, the initiative is transforming how cities support inclusive entrepreneurship.

Hear how Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, and Nashville are working to create stronger business ecosystems—and why this systems-level approach is key to closing income and wealth gaps nationwide.