In 2016, Lionel Loveless moved from Oklahoma to New Hampshire, where he and his husband became one of the few Black business owners on the Seacoast. After a number of racist encounters and feeling isolated in a community that didn’t look like him, Lionel became one of the founding members of BAPOC - the Business Alliance for People of Color in New Hampshire, along with Board Chair Will Avello and Vice Chair Latonya Wallace.

In a candid and insightful interview, the Center had the opportunity to shed light on the critical work being done by BAPOC and its impact on the lives of business owners and individuals of color who were born in the Granite State or have chosen to make New Hampshire their home.

BAPOC: A Beacon of Support

BAPOC is a nonprofit organization that supports, advocates for and promotes New Hampshire businesses owned by people of color. It was founded to help historically excluded people thrive in an environment that often lacks diversity. As such, BAPOC leverages local, state, and federal resources to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a Board member of BAPOC, Lionel is on the events committee and does promotion for the organization:

“I help promote a lot of businesses around New Hampshire. I'm one of those people who want to be involved in as much as I can to help this organization grow. We are a nonprofit. So we're more of an advocacy group to help people of color in New Hampshire, help their businesses to sustain and thrive.”

Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)-owned businesses significantly impact the local economy and create opportunities for growth and development in the state. Statistics show that small businesses dominate the business fabric of New Hampshire - representing a staggering 99% of all businesses, according to the Small Business Administration. By creating a supportive ecosystem for minority-owned businesses, BAPOC actively contributes to wealth-building and increases social capital for the betterment of New Hampshire, impacting the overall economic vitality.

Building Community: A Crucial Aspect

Lionel's experience as a Black entrepreneur and business owner in a majority-white state also underlines the importance of community building to foster a sense of belonging and support for people of color in New Hampshire.

“To be a gay interracial couple moving into Stratham was interesting because, honestly, there were some times where I was the first Black person who some of these people had encountered in a long time.”

Building a community is about letting people know they have a place, especially those who come to New Hampshire for the first time. It is not uncommon for people of color to move out of New Hampshire to states with higher diversity because “they don’t have anybody to connect to”, Lionel shared. The creation of BAPOC provided a platform where individuals could come together, share their experiences, and collaborate to strengthen their businesses and personal lives.

“When we were on our way to the first BAPOC gathering, we saw a Black couple crossing the crosswalk near our neighborhood. We thought they were tourists because I had never seen these people before in our area. Little did we know that, when we got to the event in Keene, the same couple was there. We later found out they were our neighbors and now they are really good friends. They were also Black business owners here in New Hampshire looking for a community.”

This story shared by Lionel shows how seeking out community, by attending events or reaching out to others, can create belonging and challenge the lack of cohesion within underrepresented communities of color in the Granite State.

Creating Networks: A Business Advantage

When compared to most New Hampshire business owners, research has shown that BIPOC entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing business and financial resources, and are, consequently, often overlooked as a viable business group. This idea was especially observed during the COVID-19 pandemic when business owners of color experiencing financial difficulties had trouble accessing relief funds or capital through traditional lending.

“Even though these loans were available at banks, a lot of minority businesses weren't getting the information they needed. And that probably wasn't the case just in New Hampshire, that's probably the case across the country. But at that moment, and at that time, we said we have to do something about our business owners here in New Hampshire.”

To fill this gap, BAPOC provides access to alternative financing through partnerships with organizations like the NH Small Business Administration (SBA), the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the NH APEX Accelerator (formerly NH PTAC), the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), and the Service Corp of Retired Executives NH (SCORE), among others.

Additionally, BAPOC hosts monthly support and networking meetings with representatives from these partner organizations where members can ask questions and share stories about owning a business. By connecting people with these organizations, BAPOC ensures that minority business owners have the guidance and support they need to navigate challenges. Having a support network promotes resilience among minority business owners and can be the difference between staying in business or not.

Making New Hampshire More Welcoming

BAPOC is actively working to change the perception of New Hampshire as unwelcoming because it is a predominantly white and isolated state. The organization is creating a welcoming environment for people of color, encouraging them to establish roots and contribute to the state's growth and economic development. By promoting diversity and inclusion, BAPOC also aims to attract a younger demographic to New Hampshire and retain minority students and faculty in the state's educational institutions.

“When I moved to New Hampshire from the Midwest, I wasn't sure if I was even going to like it because it was cold, there were no Black people. But, I have found a whole secondary family. I don't even want to say secondary family because the people at BAPOC are truly my family.”

This organization is more than just an advocacy group; it is a lifeline for people of color in New Hampshire. Through community building, support for Black-owned businesses, and a commitment to change perceptions, the organization is making a significant impact on the lives of people of color who call New Hampshire home.

Lionel Loveless is the owner of Officially Knotted Bowties, The Collector's Eye, and Route 1 Antiques, and a Board Member of the Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC) responsible for organizing community events. Lionel is also known for his commitment to sustainability and his desire to make a positive impact on the environment. As the owner of two antique stores and his own fashion business, Lionel’s philosophy is centered around creating products with upcycled materials that are stylish yet environmentally responsible. He is also committed to learning more about the state of New Hampshire through his volunteering at the New Hampshire Black Heritage Trail. He is a tour guide who tells the history and stories of African / Black people who laid the foundation for so many in the Granite State.