RCM Strategic Consulting

01/13/2023

For the past 18 months, RCM Strategic has been working with a dedicated team of experienced local consultants and community leaders to create and stand up Upper Shore Community Development Partners, an equity-focused community development corporation focused on addressing racial disparities in Chestertown, MD, where I live, and across Kent County, by increasing access to resources- human, financial, and educational- in the areas of small business/entrepreneurship, job readiness, and affordable housing.

USCDP has spent the past year gaining support, creating partnerships, and raising funding, and is now at the point in its development where partnering with the Town is the next logical step, in order for the private support to wind down and the organization to begin its programming.

I have written the letter of support below to the Chestertown Spy, and I commend it to your attention.

At the most recent Town Council meeting, Ward 3 Council Member José Medrano proposed that the Mayor and Council provide $90,000 in direct American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Upper Shore Community Development Corporation (USCDP). This funding would support USCDP’s continued development ...

08/12/2022

Excellent!

The Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation Local Legacy Collection includes more than 40,000 images portraying Black water workers and their efforts in keeping Maryland’s seafood & maritime industries thriving. Browse the digitized collection on Digital Maryland: https://loom.ly/PS6_apk

07/26/2022

https://www.citybiz.co/article/112159/interview-with-rebecca-murphy-principal-of-rcm-strategic-consulting/

Rebecca Murphy is the Owner of RCM Strategic Consulting since 2001. The firm works as a partner with businesses and... Read More

06/25/2022

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has the potential to provide an opportunity to not only change city economies and improve conditions for suffering citizens, but it can also address long-festering economic and social disparities.

It injects $1.9 trillion into the economy, including $350 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in two tranches over two years.

The report focuses on the potential of ARP and addresses several opportunities of the plan that have been untapped.

The findings so far:

Most places have been slow to spend or even commit their funding; given the stakes and the time to spend, this is generally a good thing.

With some notable exceptions, few places are pursuing transformational investment programs; most are simply pushing money out the door.

While little meaningful cooperation exists across entities in allocating federal resources, several exciting examples exist that might be replicated.

Read more about how this study addresses these key findings and suggests “Seven steps toward greater impact” for the plan.

https://brook.gs/3A6sDo4

06/23/2022

Check out this policy brief from Kauffman.org titled “Including People of Color in the Promise of Entrepreneurship”.

This report discusses how…

Entrepreneurs of color remain underrepresented and have disparate experiences.

Businesses started by people of color perform differently than white-owned businesses where White-owned firms had double ($2.38 million) the average sales of Asian ($1.19 million), Hispanic ($1.12 million), and black-owned ($0.91 million) businesses.

Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses have higher failure rates than do white- and Asian-owned firms for reasons that include industry differences, where black-owned businesses are overrepresented in less-successful industries (for example, in the personal services industry),

Entrepreneurs of color start their businesses with less capital than their white counterparts.

A continued disparity in entrepreneurship among people of color portends further inequality and slow economic growth.

Learn more about how this gap can be closed:
https://bit.ly/3OgERP5

06/18/2022

Check out this report titled “Pulse Checking Progress Toward Operationalizing REI: Transforming Organizations”

Some key 🔑 points to highlight…

- It Is Important To Approach Racial Equity And Inclusion Work Through A Systems Change Frame.

- We Must Approach Our Work With An Understanding Of Place And Local Context, But Acknowledge That Inequities Are Everywhere And Systemic.

- Remember That Data Matters, But Only In Service Of Outcomes.

- To Close Racial Wealth Gaps In America, We Must Focus On The South.

Read about how recommended actions can lead to change.

https://bit.ly/3xAYdHu

06/11/2022

“Breaking Down Barriers for Entrepreneurs of Color”

In this article, you read about Chester Williams, a Black entrepreneur with decades of experience who faced challenges with access to equity that hindered his business from growth.

A lack of capital is often a common hurdle facing Black and minority business owners.

“You’ve basically got to start up your business from zero, with zero.”

Click to read more about his journey and how can more equitable opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs can be created.

https://bit.ly/39nMtQC

06/09/2022

Check out the work Living Cities is doing when it comes to DEIJ.

They've created a free book giving a historical overview with infographics highlighting the often difficult-to-digest aspects of Systemic Racism.

It focuses on how—and why—Black, Indigenous, and people of color in America experience societal, economic, and infrastructural inequality throughout history.

Grab your copy below or follow the link.
https://bit.ly/3O1TMfu

06/01/2022

Check us out in the article "RCM Strategic Consulting Retains SPIN For Marketing And Public Relations Services"

We are experts at assisting organizations, municipalities, and communities identify collaborative solutions that result in stronger, more equitable systems.

Our current and past clients include Upper Shore Community Development Partners, Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Margrave Strategies, The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), the Anacostia Watershed Society, and Forbes Tate Partners.

Click to read or contact us to inquire about how we can help you make a difference in your community.

https://bit.ly/3wTydbc

05/20/2022

Entrepreneurs of color face significant hurdles securing resources to turn their dreams into reality.

African American business owners specifically are 5.2 times more likely to be denied a loan, and minority small business owners are denied credit at disproportionately high rates when compared to white peers.

Barriers persist when accessing philanthropic resources. Black entrepreneurs in the Echoing Green program, an organization that supports emerging entrepreneurs at the intersection of social justice and social innovation, have unrestricted funding from funders at rates 76% smaller than their white-led counterparts. The stark disparity in unrestricted assets can be viewed as a proxy for trust.

Additionally, Black and Latinx leaders receive only about 4% of philanthropic funding although they make up approximately 10% of nonprofit leaders. This pattern continues in later stages.

We all miss out when the talents and experiences of our nation’s diversity are hindered.

Read more:
https://www.inclusiveaction.org/blog/combatting-displacement-small-business

Adapted from “Combating the Displacement of Small Businesses”

05/18/2022

This is what community building and development are all about. Ensuring everyone has access to equitable spaces helps create inclusive communities.

At RCM Strategic consulting, we prioritize this.

Check out our website to see how we do just this.

https://rcmstrategicconsulting.com

04/29/2022

Some of what we do at RCM Strategic Consulting is assisting and consulting in the creation of Community Development Corporations.

But…What is a Community Development Corporation?

Community development corporations (CDCs) are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that are created to support and revitalize communities, especially those that are impoverished or struggling. CDCs often deal with the development of affordable housing and can also be involved in community services that meet local needs such as education, job training, healthcare, commercial development, and other social programs.

While CDCs may work closely with a representative from the local government, they are not a government entity.

Historically, many CDCs grew out of the Civil Rights movement to fight against redlining and divestment issues in cities. Many had a community organizing/activism background.

While traditionally CDCs were location-based, some organizations target specific demographics, and CDCs now typically focus on development rather than activism.

Adapted from “What is a Community Development Corporation? “by Rachid Erekaini