Building a movement: How empowering one small business can change their world (and ours)

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Brandon Calloway is CEO and Co-Founder of Generating Income For Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.), and now writes a weekly blog, The Equity Advocate.

The racial wealth gap in America isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality that has defined the lives and limited the futures of countless Black families. This gap, born of systemic inequities, persists as a modern-day barrier to freedom, dignity, and prosperity. But in Kansas City, there is a movement reshaping this narrative — one entrepreneur, one business, one success story at a time. Generating Income For Tomorrow (GIFT) is that movement. And Haul Pros is one of its most inspiring victories.

In 2021, GIFT awarded Haul Pros, a trucking and moving company, a $25,000 grant. This was not merely charity — it was an investment in empowerment and the promise of self-reliance, as Malcolm X might have envisioned. With the grant, Haul Pros purchased a much-needed new truck, allowing them to accept the many jobs they had previously been forced to turn away due to limited capacity. Despite strong word-of-mouth demand, their single truck had been a bottleneck, stifling their ability to grow.

Brandon Calloway, The Equity Advocate, Kansas City GIFT

But GIFT’s support went far beyond funding.

Haul Pros also received a full year of business coaching, bookkeeping services, legal assistance, and a tailored small business marketing package — all paid for by GIFT. This comprehensive approach provided not just capital but the tools and resources necessary to build a sustainable and scalable business. For too long, systemic barriers have deprived Black businesses of the opportunities and support they need to thrive. Haul Pros had the vision and determination; GIFT provided the means to transform their potential into progress.

The results were nothing short of transformative. With this infusion of resources, Haul Pros expanded its operations, creating 18 jobs — 18 opportunities for individuals to earn a living, feed their families, and contribute to their community. In two years, their revenue surged to over half a million dollars annually — a staggering 1311% growth.

The success of Haul Pros didn’t stop with one grant. GIFT’s commitment to empowerment extended beyond the initial investment. Through connections facilitated by GIFT, Haul Pros accessed an additional $100,000 in capital, including a $20,000 grant from the Greater Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce and an $80,000 loan from AltCap. This capital, combined with Haul Pros’ unrelenting determination, set the stage for exponential growth.

This is what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned when he spoke of the “beloved community” — a society where systemic injustices are addressed, and opportunities are accessible to all. GIFT didn’t just hand over money; it dismantled barriers, built bridges, and opened doors that had been shut for far too long.

The success of Haul Pros is more than a business triumph; it’s a testament to the transformative power of justice and opportunity. Today, Haul Pros is paying it forward. They provide free moving services to residents of NewHouse, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence, and to constituents of KC Tenants, an organization advocating for housing justice. These acts of giving are not just charitable — they are revolutionary. They demonstrate what happens when a community invests in its own, and the cycle of empowerment comes full circle.

Haul Pros’ story is a microcosm of the larger fight against the racial wealth gap. It’s a fight that requires bold action, strategic investments, and a commitment to dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequity. At GIFT, we believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools in this fight. By providing capital, education, and support to Black-owned businesses, we are not just helping individuals succeed—we are building a foundation for generational wealth and community empowerment.

Malcolm X once said, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

GIFT is preparing for a future where the racial wealth gap is a relic of the past, where Black entrepreneurs have the resources they need to thrive, and where the success of one becomes the success of many.

Haul Pros’ success is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in our communities. But the work is far from over. The racial wealth gap remains a towering obstacle, and countless entrepreneurs still face barriers to success. At GIFT, we are committed to continuing this fight — but we cannot do it alone.

We need you. Whether it’s through donations, advocacy, or spreading the word, your support can help us empower more businesses like Haul Pros, create more jobs, and build a more just and equitable society. We operate under the tagline “If 15,000 people donate $10 a month.” This is what happens at scale when 15,000 people donate $10 a month. We create widespread community impact together.  

Dr. King reminded us that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The racial wealth gap is one of the greatest injustices of our time, but together, we can dismantle it. Together, we can ensure that stories like Haul Pros’ are not the exception but the rule.

Haul Pros’ journey is a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of community, and a rallying cry for action. It’s a story of resilience, empowerment, and justice. But most importantly, it’s a story that reminds us of our collective power to build a better future.

Let us continue this work, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come. For as Malcolm X said, “When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘we,’ even illness becomes wellness.” Together, we can close the racial wealth gap and build a future of equity, opportunity, and justice for all.

Brandon Calloway is a distinguished leader with extensive experience in both the nonprofit and business sectors. As the CEO and co-founder of Generating Income For Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.), Calloway is dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap in Kansas City. He is also the founder of Darkmoon Comics and Blerd TV, initiatives aimed at amplifying Black representation in media.

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