The 20 Best Resources for Minority-Owned Businesses

In an article published today, titled "Be a Minority Mogul," I wrote about the challenges facing minority-owned businesses, as well as the solutions that are open to them. What I didn't mention, however, was the extraordinary wealth of resources that are available to minority business owners. There's a ba-jillion of them out there, and they're extremely, extremely valuable.

"It's easier now than ever before to start a minority-owned business, because you can really find the support you need," Elizabeth Wilson from the Association for Enterprise Opportunity told me.

Indeed, the country is home to dozens of associations and organizations that are committed to minority business development, growth and success. They offer not just support, but also education, financing and advocacy. They're indispensable.

If you're starting a minority-owned business, don't do it alone; the richest resources are there for your taking. Here are 20 of the very best:

• Accion USA
• Asian Women in Business
• Empower Me!
• Hispanic Business Women's Alliance
• Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
• Latin Business Association
• Minority Business Development Agency
• Minority Business Network
• Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund
• National Association of Asian American Professionals
• National Black Chamber of Commerce
• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
• National Hispanic Business Association
• National Minority Business Council
• National Minority Supplier Development Council
• Native American Marketing and Development Corporation
• New America Alliance
• Small Business Administration
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce