(ABC 6 News) – At Rochester’s Jersey Joe’s, members of Rochester’s Black entrepreneurs community gathered ahead of their meeting with lawmakers at the state capitol.

The group hopes meetings with lawmakers will lead to greater access to funds for business owners of color.

Mykitta Davis owns Everyday 365 Clothing, opening a brick and mortar location for her store in early 2023. Due to rising costs and inflation, she had to close the location at the end of the year.

“I know what I can talk about now which is that access to funding and the lack of funding that is available for entrepreneurs of color and the guidelines and requirements that it takes to achieve those funds,” she said.

The group will head to the state capitol on Friday, Feb, 16.