UNO Center for Public Affairs Research’s Post

📣 Calling all Black women and Non-Binary founders 📣 A few spots are left for The Well Work's Build Wellth Founder Academy (BWFA)'s Fall Cohort! 👉🏽 Why Join Us? In just 4 transformative weeks, you'll become adept and confident in navigating the unique challenges that Black women and non-binary founders often face in securing capital. What sets us apart is our approach—leading with love for and commitment to the community ✊🏽 . We don't just teach the fundamentals of funding; we immerse you in an environment that strengthens your connection to your business and purpose. 🤎 APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/gfmrdPyN Our alumni gained more than just knowledge; they gained: → Mentors who provide invaluable guidance and support during and after the program. → Grant and investment wins that have propelled their businesses forward. → New friendships with fellow founders that feel like family, creating a supportive community in an often lonely journey. → A deeper understanding of their brands, the communities they serve, and effective strategies to engage with audiences—whether they are customers or venture capitalists. Brittney Dimes Bickham, Founder of Puzle and BWFA Alum, shared: “Our opening session was incredible and SO needed. I wept afterward because I knew this was going to be powerful.” Dr. Rebecca Cesar, DHSc, MS-MHA, Founder of Tinted Health and BWFA Alum, said: "The program was great. It was well-paced, well-diversified, the speakers were excellent, and the material was relevant. Thank you!" Casey Ariel Thobias, Founder of Blaze Group and BWFA Alum, commented: "I was dealing with a lot of transition and pruning during this time, but the program integrated well into my life and helped me to keep my mind and spirit focused on the main task at hand - which was refining an executable funding strategy." 👉🏽 What You Can Expect: BWFA is designed for Black founders aiming to secure funding and grow their businesses sustainably. Beyond funding, we're committed to strengthening the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our sessions are designed to foster a sense of belonging, safety, and resilience to tackle business and personal challenges. We believe collective advocacy, strategic networking, and community are the most impactful ways to grow your business, especially in light of recent challenges facing Black-owned businesses. 🤎 APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/gfmrdPyN Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gKWTs4nr Fall 2023 Cohort's Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/gPSxE9zX -- The Well Work - is on a mission to teach Black Founders how to get funding. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B Follow The Well Work for more grants and funding resources @thewellworkco on IG

A few favorite takeaways from our Black Women Shaping Entrepreneurship and Investment event earlier this week. ✨ From the Founders… 🚀 Bias within the VC industry is real - if you’re getting “no” after “no”, it’s not necessarily a reflection on your or your company. Unfortunately, when most Black women walk into a room they are not seen, so you want to find those people who see you and support you. Stop chasing people who will never get to a “yes”. 🚀 Don’t waiver on those who don’t see your value or your worth. Remember that you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your company - so do your due diligence on potential investors and know what you’re signing up for. 🚀 Lean on your founder community because you can ask other founders you’re connected with to make warm investor introductions. It’s so important for Black female founders to support each other. From the investors… 💰 Traction doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary - it could be the number of people on your waitlist or customer surveys you’ve done, so if you are pre-revenue, work on getting scrappy and creative with your data. 💰 VC funding is not for every business or problem, so ask yourself if this business is positioned to scale to a certain level, or is it better to take non-dilutive capital. 💰 Create a good system for yourself around the hard times, but don’t put yourself in hard times just because. The narrative around Black women being praised has been based on how much they’ve survived or struggled, so don’t work so hard because you think you have to. A huge thank you to Lauren T. Wilson - CEO & Founder of Dora Maar, Alyse (Uh-lease) Nicole Dunn - Founder & CEO of CareCopilot, Ashlee Wisdom, MPH - Founder & CEO of Health In Her HUE, Melissa Mitchner - Founder & CEO of The Bark Shoppe, Chi Achebe - Founder & Managing Partner of Achebe Capital, Tracey Amara Thompson - Vice President of SoGal Ventures, and Layla Alexander - Investor at Female Founders Fund for speaking to our community. Visit www.herworkplace.com for future founder and investor events. 🎉 #storytelling #femalefounders #networking

An Update from our Co-Founder/CEO, Nikoa Milton Following a year marked by unprecedented economic challenges for Level and our counterparts doing racial justice work, Level is rising above adversity with renewed commitment in 2024. The relentless pushback against and abandonment of racial justice efforts in 2023—from the overturning of affirmative action to legal battles against venture capital funds for Black women entrepreneurs (Fearless Fund)—hasn't deterred Level's commitment to create new avenues for women to come together and shake up the funding ecosystem, particularly for Black women and the people who want to invest in them. With renewed vigor and a recommitment to the work of closing the racial wealth gap, we’ve diligently worked to reactivate the Level community! While investor appetite for racial equity continues to face obstacles, with less than 0.05% of venture capital funds going to Black women founders in 2022 and corporate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (often led by Black women) coming to an end, so many of Level's members remain steadfastly committed to its impactful mission. We’re grateful for the continued support of co-founder Jenny Tolan, our community members, entrepreneurs and alum as we push forward with gratitude for the journey thus far and all the exciting things ahead.

📢 Call to Action: Join the BWIE "Fix Her Crown" Mentorship Initiative! Are you a lawyer, business advisor, IT specialist, marketing expert, or business owner in the beauty or food industry? We need your expertise! We’re looking for passionate professionals who can dedicate just 6 hours over a 6-week period this fall to empower Black women entrepreneurs as part of the BWIE "Fix Her Crown" Mentorship Initiative. Why Get Involved? - Make a difference: Help shape the future of emerging Black women entrepreneurs. - Share your knowledge: Your expertise could be the key to someone’s success. - Build connections: Join a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to giving back. Who We’re Looking For: - Lawyers - Fashion designers - Retail Specialist - Consultants - Business Advisors - IT Specialists - Marketing Experts - Business Owners in the Beauty & Food Industries - And more Important: You don’t have to be a Black woman to mentor a Black woman. Knowledge is knowledge—and your experience and insights can make a powerful impact, regardless of background. If you’re ready to contribute your skills and experience to this transformative program, we’d love to hear from you! 💪 Get Involved & Make an Impact! 📧 For more information and to sign up, please contact us at programs@bwiecanada.com and to register as a mentor please go to the link:https://lnkd.in/exABRrji

In the past five years, women-owned small businesses have surged, encouraging more underrepresented groups to pursue their entrepreneurial dream. In 2019, women made up 28% of new business owners, and by 2021, that number nearly doubled to 49%. Today, more than 14 million women are building their dreams—and the momentum continues! Here are some of our favorite ways we can all support women in business and champion their success: 1. Broadcast Your Wins – Be proud of your achievements and share them openly. When women tell their stories, they inspire the next generation of leaders. 2. Mentor or Volunteer – Be a role model! By being more visible, whether through mentoring or volunteering, you can encourage young women to pursue their own business dreams. 3. Network with Women Entrepreneurs – Building connections with other women in business is one of the best ways to create support systems and grow together. 4. Support Women-Owned Businesses on Social Media – Even if you don’t own a business, you can still help by promoting female entrepreneurs on social media. Share their stories, products, and services to help spread the word and show your support! Cheers to all these amazing women building their dreams, one business at a time!

To ensure these women thrive, they need our support. ⤵️ This stat comes from a recent op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by ELDI spin-off and partner Catapult Greater Pittsburgh in collaboration with Venture Forward, a nonprofit addressing inequity in venture capital. They looked at the power of microbusinesses on the economy and how Black women are leading the charge. As they reported, Black women entrepreneurs were the only group that grew since 2020. This data aligns with national trends and Catapult Greater Pittsburgh’s insights: Roughly 95% of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh participants are Black women, and 90% are Black, single moms. Most started their business out of necessity to supplement their total household income and digital entrepreneurship is helping them earn a living and achieve their goals while elevating the Pittsburgh economy. There are currently more than 167,000 microbusinesses in Allegheny County, a number that has nearly tripled since September 2019. About 144,000 of those call the city of Pittsburgh home. Excluding the owner, each microbusiness creates about seven jobs at the county level. Job creation stems from direct and indirect hiring and more money in the community. ➡️ At ELDI, we know that fostering minority entrepreneurship and homeownership is the key to ensuring thriving communities in the East End and beyond well into the future. Learn more about the microbusiness revival and how Catapult is giving these business owners the support they need to grow via the link in the caption. #pittsburgh #blackentrepreneurship #microbusiness #pittsburghbusiness

In 2024, women entrepreneurs are showing a significant presence in the franchising sector, with 39% starting new franchise locations and 9% investing in existing ones. Women have become key players in the franchise industry, being 17% more likely to own a franchise compared to the main study, showcasing their increasing prominence and success in this field. Take part in this month's Second Annual Women Entrepreneurs & Leaders Fireside Chat at Integro Bank. https://lnkd.in/gQrew5pY

October is National Women's Small Business Month, and it’s a time to recognize the incredible impact women-owned businesses are having on our economy. With over 11 million women entrepreneurs in the United States, these businesses are not just growing—they're shaping industries, creating jobs, and driving innovation. But there’s still work to do. Women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges, from accessing funding to finding mentors, and that’s why it’s so important to draw attention to their success and support their growth. When we invest in women-owned businesses, we’re not just helping individual businesses thrive—we’re empowering communities and future generations of female leaders. There’s never been a better time to get involved. Whether it’s supporting a local woman-owned business, mentoring a female entrepreneur, or simply spreading the word, we all have a role to play in lifting up these businesses. Let’s celebrate the trailblazing women who are leading the way. Tag some women-owned businesses below!

Why Are Black Women Entrepreneurs Still Undersupported? There are countless studies pointing to the underfunding of Black women entrepreneurs. The statistics are well-documented—but they often stop short of asking the critical questions: +Why does this underfunding persist, even though Black women are among the most educated and entrepreneurial groups in the U.S.? +How does it impact not only these women but our economy as a whole? +And what systemic factors, like loan denials and health disparities, are compounding this issue? Our upcoming research initiative, Rewriting the Narrative: Addressing the Funding Divide for Black Women Entrepreneurs, seeks to fill these gaps. This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about understanding the deeper, systemic issues and their ripple effects on the entire entrepreneurial marketplace. Black women are thriving in many instances without proper investment—but imagine the possibilities if the support matched their potential. This project aims to link these findings holistically, sparking conversations and actionable solutions that have been missing from the dialogue. This isn’t a Black issue—it’s an American issue. When our leading entrepreneurs aren’t funded, everyone loses. Join us in rewriting the narrative. Together, we can identify the problem and move the conversation in the right direction. * Your support will help us conduct vital research to address funding disparities and create a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape. Our Mighty Cause campaign is listed in the comments. #GivingTuesday #RewritingTheNarrative #EquityInEntrepreneurship #SupportBlackWomen #nonprofit #research #charlottenc

Our partners at The BEC in partnership with the US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil celebrated the completion of the Black Star Rising program for Black female entrepreneurs in Rio de Janeiro. 20 brilliant founders took part in the program that culminated in the Black Stars Rising prize ceremony where 3 winners were granted a check. This is the result of positive collaboration and we couldn’t have done it without the committed and fantastic individuals who took part and drove it to its full potential! To investing in and elevating more high-growth women entrepreneurs throughout Brazil and beyond! #blackentrepreneurs #blackentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneur #femaleempowerment