|
"I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them." --- Madam C.J. Walker
Hello, Founder Forward Community!
As we conclude Black History Month, it's a moment for reflection and gratitude. This past month, we've had the privilege of honoring the remarkable entrepreneurs of the past whose innovations, resilience, and determination paved the way for the vibrant landscape of entrepreneurship we see today. Their enduring legacies continue to inspire and guide us as we strive to create opportunities and foster inclusivity for Black and Brown founders in our community.
At Founder Forward, we hold these founders in high esteem, recognizing their invaluable contributions to shaping our collective journey. We celebrate every founder we have the honor of working with, understanding the significance of identity in the pursuit of success and capital. In a world often marked by challenges and disparities, we believe in the power of representation and the importance of embracing our unique identities as founders.
As we move forward, let's continue to take pride in who we are and the progress we've made. Remember that each step forward is a testament to our resilience and ambition. Rest assured, we're here to offer unwavering support and guidance every step of the way. Check out our recent article on Annie Malone, a legacy we honored this month as a Black pioneer in entrepreneurship.
Community Highlights
|
|
We're thrilled to announce our latest campaign aimed at supporting Black and Latinx founders in the Bronx who are driving change and would like to add more environmentally friendly practices into their business model.
Our mission? The cohort will empower visionary entrepreneurs as they embark on the journey to green their shops, practices, and businesses, making them more eco-friendly and sustainable. Together, we're championing innovation and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a brighter, greener future. Apply now!
|
We’re hiring! Founder Forward is growing our team and searching for a development manager to build the organization’s development capabilities – which include conducting fundraising campaigns, writing grants, building relationships with major donors, surfacing development insights, and creating strategy. Apply on LinkedIn. |
|
|
Funding Opportunities
Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize is back with its 4th annual prize competition! The music and fashion mogul initiated the nonprofit to forge a pathway to success for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs across various sectors to address the historical obstacles encountered by Black and Brown entrepreneurs in securing venture capital funding.
The 2024 prize competition will offer 250 semi-finalists the opportunity to participate in a three-month cohort-based mentorship program. The ultimate victor will be awarded $1,000,000. The eligible prize categories encompass technology (Web 3.0), healthcare, consumer products and services, media and entertainment, and the newly incorporated category, artificial intelligence. Applications for the fourth annual Black Ambition Initiative Prize Competition can be submitted via this link.
News, Guides, & Tools
- Alex West Steinman has launched the inaugural franchise branch of The Coven in Minneapolis, marking it as the city's premier woman- and Black-owned co-working space. As a co-founder of The Coven, Steinman envisions it as a hub that provides community support to empower women, transgender, and non-binary individuals to excel as confident leaders. This latest establishment supplements existing locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. With ambitions to extend The Coven's reach across the nation, Steinman has secured $1.3 million in funding and has initiated the process of expanding through franchising. Franchise Disclosure Documents have been filed for multiple states, including Illinois, North Carolina, and California. Steinman emphasizes The Coven's commitment to inclusivity while anticipating the recruitment of ten franchisees in 2024. The company aims to identify emerging markets and neighborhoods, investing in communities across the country while prioritizing sustainable growth. Keep an eye out for The Coven's continued expansion!
- In response to the struggles faced by local businesses in the wake of the pandemic, New York City has unveiled a significant allocation of grants to provide much-needed support to small business owners, as reported by CBS News. The newly announced grants, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, aim to bolster the appeal of small mom-and-pop shops to local customers. Commissioner Kevin D. Kim emphasizes the importance of supporting these businesses due to the diverse benefits they offer, including promoting public safety through attentive staff and maintaining cleanliness in busy commercial areas. Various initiatives are included in the plan, such as improving commercial lighting in shopping districts and incorporating music into public spaces, underlining the importance of ongoing communication and creating memorable experiences for patrons. Officials also highlight the profound impact of the pandemic, with the closure of 30,000 shops in the city. Councilman Oswald Feliz acknowledges the resulting challenges, noting, “That [it] created vacated storefronts and that created quality-of-life issues.” Despite these obstacles, there is a positive aspect, as 1 in 6 businesses currently operating in the city has emerged since January 2022. A good sign for continued growth and progress.
Featured Founder of the Month
Dana Fry
Ujamaa Financial
Our Featured Founder of the Month is Dana Fry, the visionary founder behind Ujamma Financial. Ujamaa Financial introduces a groundbreaking digital wallet app designed specifically for BIPOC college students and graduates. Dana's innovative approach is reshaping financial empowerment by empowering users in understanding how to manage debt, build credit, and enhance financial literacy through everyday transactions.
Dana's dedication to leveraging her business acumen to invest in community growth and the advancement of the next generation embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship with purpose. She's paving the way for future wealth and mobility, one transaction at a time.
Don't miss out on Dana's inspiring journey! Connect with her on Linkedin and discover the transformative impact of Ujamma Financial.
|
Keep moving forward,
|
|
|
134 E 40th Street, New York, NY 10016
Unsubscribe · Preferences
Founder Forward
Your support helps us put no-strings attached funding into the hands of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous entrepreneurs,... Read more |
|
|
|
