In this installment of Staying Connected, we focus on the entrepreneurship of Black women. The creative innovation and self-sustaining ambition of Black women goes way back in history and has recently gained more mainstream recognition and investment. But we know that Black women deserve endless praise (and that it is always the right time to invest in Black women!).
Like many women who’ve shared their stories with us, Madam C.J. Walker’s path was informed by her own personal experiences. A problem with hair loss led her to develop her own hair products and ultimately to become the first Black American woman to become a self-made millionaire.
Read on to be inspired by some of the powerful
Black woman entrepreneurs in our very own network.
STAY TUNED FOR OUR UPCOMING JUNE VIDEO PODCAST...
In our upcoming June video podcast, Chef and restaurateur Tanya Holland shares how her upbringing led her naturally to a career in hospitality, while her creative passion informed her love for cooking. From her famed Oakland restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Tanya speaks to the distinct experience of being a Black woman in the restaurant world; how inequities shaped her path and purpose alike; and the personal impact she experienced during the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Our Conversation Series began in March of 2015 in Oakland, California. The Series prioritizes creating an emotionally safe space where Black women talk openly about our career journeys and workplace experiences.
Click the events above for more information and to register,
or CLICK HERE for our full events calendar.
2020 was a roller coaster of a year. As a story-based initiative, we know the importance of archiving the journey. So, we put out a call to our community to share with us their reflections on what the COVID-19 pandemic has meant for them. Click HERE to read the rest of E'Rika's reflection and hear from other members of our community.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your life? Add your voice to BlackFemaleProject’s COVID Reflection Series by submitting your reflection of 300 words or less by July 31st, 2021.
This month, we express our gratitude to Olivia Christian. Olivia creates platforms for people to share their stories and is the author of her newly released book, Ask Olivia: An Entrepreneur's Advice on the Entrepreneurial Life.
Over the years, Olivia has offered insights that have supported BlackFemaleProject’s growth and stability. Learn more about Olivia at oliviachristian.co.
Thank you for your continued support of BlackFemaleProject and the broader community of entrepreneurs, Olivia!
In Black Womenomics (recently published by Goldman Sachs and shared on our LinkedIn page), researchers make the case for investing in Black women entrepreneurs, citing the following:
Access to funds and investment is a major barrier to successfully opening a business. Black business owners are 20% less likely to fund their startups with bank business loans.
More than 3/4 of Black and Latinx women business founders cite limited access to funds or investment as a barrier to success.
