By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
Across the country, Black women are launching and growing businesses at record rates but often without the same access to capital as their peers. To help bridge that gap, a growing number of grant programs are stepping up with targeted support for Black women entrepreneurs, providing not only funding but also mentorship, training and networking.
Programs like the SoGal Foundation’s Black Women Entrepreneurs Grant, the Amber Grant Foundation, the Fearless Fund and IFundWomen of Color have created paths for Black women to receive support tailored to their specific needs. These programs not only fund businesses but help build trust between funders and grantees.
Felicia Wise, who oversees grants from start to finish at United Negro College Fund (UNCF) as the senior director of grants management and program development, said maintaining trust is essential to long-term success– especially when issues arise.
