2025 ETV Annual Report

2025 Annual Report

Table of Contents We Are The Village

02

Letter from the CEO

03

Leadership

04

Year In Review

05

Programs

07

Prosperity Pillar/ Village Empowerment Network

08

Village Ventures Pitch Competition

09

North Star/ Power Swing Classic

10

Village Black Pages

11

Peace Pillar/ Juneteenth

12

Power Walk for Mental Health

13

Power Pillar/Operation Ballot Box

14 15

Financial Summary

EMPOWER THE VILLAGE

A Letter From The CEO ~ Ayo Sanderson Wilson

WHERE WE ARE NOW Dear Village, The year 2025 tested all of us.

Economic shifts, funding uncertainties, and growing needs within our communities required resilience, creativity, and an unwavering belief in what is possible when we stand together. Yet even in the face of these challenges, I am proud to say that Empower The Village did more than endure — we advanced.

Because of you.

Our mission to restore Prosperity, Peace, and Power within our community is not a slogan. It is a call to action. And in 2025, that call was answered by participants who showed up ready to grow their businesses and strengthen their financial futures; by donors who invested in solutions; and by corporate partners who aligned their resources with real impact.

Progress does not always arrive without resistance. But progress is undeniable when a community chooses to move forward anyway.

This year, we deepened our work across our Economic Prosperity and Community Health initiatives, expanded access to entrepreneurial education, supported emerging and seasoned business owners, and continued delivering data-driven programs designed to close opportunity gaps. Each milestone reflects a collective commitment — not just from our team, but from The Village itself.

Let me be clear: ETV’s success depends on its community.

Nonprofits do not thrive on good intentions alone. They thrive when participants actively engage in programs, when donors give consistently and generously, and when supporters share the mission within their networks. They thrive when companies choose to partner, sponsor, and advocate. They thrive when each of us upholds the values of collaboration, accountability, and shared prosperity.

That is what makes The Village powerful.

To those who have stood steady in your support — through every season, every campaign, every call to action — thank you. Your belief in this mission has provided stability in uncertain moments and momentum when it mattered most. Your partnership has allowed us to remain focused, strategic, and impact-driven.

As we look ahead, we do so with hope — not because the road will be easy, but because we know we are not walking it alone. The challenges of 2025 strengthened our resolve. They reminded us that collective action is our greatest asset and that sustainable change requires sustained commitment.

Empower The Village will continue to lead with purpose, transparency, and measurable impact. And we invite you to continue building with us — by participating, by investing, and by amplifying this work so that more members of our community can access the tools, knowledge, and resources they deserve.

Together, we are not simply responding to the moment. We are controlling our own destiny.

With gratitude and determination,

Ayo

2025 ANNUAL REPORT PG2

Board of Directors

Paula Tuffin Board Chair

Perri Richman

Denelle Waynick Johnson Vice Chair

David Hubbard

Jack Cox Treasurer

Maurice Kuykendoll

Allyson Hugley

Annie Sneed-Godfrey

Shaun Freeman

Advisory Council

Kimberly MacKay

Karl Charles-Pierre

Jessica Colon

Randall McMillan

Dr. Christina Johnson

Erik Miller

Ayo Sanderson Wilson Founder, President & CEO Empower The Village

Mikeisha Anderson Jones

Bonnie Carter

Harry O’Mealia

Michellene Davis

Curille K. McKenna Program & Research Manager Empower The Village

PG3

ETV Year In Review February 2025 3rd Annual Empowerment Expo

January 2025 ETV supports the MLK Observance Breakfast in Morristown

Village Ventures Pitch Competition North Star Celebration

May 2025 Small Business Week Social Media Campaign June 2025 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration For the Love of Art Show and publishes ETV’s For the Love of Art Commemorative Art Journal

September 2025 4th Annual Power Swing Classic Golf Outing & Fundraiser

October 2025 ETV launches the Greater Newark edition of its Village Black Pages in partnership with Metropolitan Baptist Church

March - April 2025 2025 Spring Giving Campaign Annual Strategic Planning Retreat

May 2025 3rd Annual Power Walk for Mental Health

September 2025 ETV support Sistahs in Sales Art Exhibit

October 2025 Operation: Ballot Box 2025 Couples Communications Workshop in partnership with Calvary Baptist Church

November 2025 Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Reception December 2024 Village Empowerment Network Holiday Mixer December 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Release Year End Giving Campaign

ETV EMPOWERS THE VILLAGE: A YEAR OF MEASURABLE IMPACT In 2025, Empower The Village (ETV) further advanced its mission with bold action, measurable results, and community-centered leadership. By partnering with the Village to overcome the new challenges and attacks on the communities we serve Through our continued focus on Economic Empowerment and Community Wellness, we expanded our reach and deepened our impact This year alone, over 2,000 active participants engaged in ETV programs and events designed to build financial independence, entrepreneurial success, and personal wellbeing.

Our digital presence also grew significantly, surpassing 5,000 social media followers and newsletter subscribers, allowing us to amplify Black-owned businesses, share educational resources, and mobilize support at scale 2025 .

Through strategic programming, economic reinvestment, advocacy partnerships, and cultural celebration, ETV remained steadfast in building sustainable ecosystems where businesses grow, artists thrive, families strengthen, and communities prosper.

PG4

®

®

Imagine what could happen if the money you spent this Friday supported Black-owned Businesses...

What could happen if you did that at least every Friday...

Join the Movement!

Support Black Businesses Families & Communities Fun Fact: 1 out of every 7 days is a Friday WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Empower Black-Owned Businesses & Communities utilizing our 25 free State Directories with ~30,000 listings!

Fun Fact: 1 out of every 7 Americans is Black

ETV provides the Black community with access to quality, affordable GE ASS mental health services.

LA

TM

ETV’s nonpartisan voter education and mobilization program is executed annually with Village Partners to inform Black voters in key strategic states how and where to vote early, reliably, and unimpeded by the vestiges of systemic racism and abuse.

IST

OPERATION: BALLOT BOX

UN

M

ETV connects the community to licensed Black psychiatrists, psychologists and other wellness professionals.

COM

Expert business counseling and individual financial coaching for Black entrepreneurs and community members. Includes networking opportunities and access to online and in-person courses needed to survive and thrive!

CLE

TUE

IR

MON

VIL

SUN

®

ITY C

VILLAGE

VENTURES ™

BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION The ETV Village Ventures Pitch Competition provides Black entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business to an expert panel of judges for cash prizes. The Pitch Competition not only gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to raise capital, but also receive coaching during the process to help them grow their companies successfully.

PG5

Economic Empowerment ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESSES Economic empowerment remains at the core of ETV’s mission.

In 2025, we reinvested approximately $750,000 into small and diverse businesses servicing ETV and benefiting from its programs.

This intentional reinvestment strategy ensures that dollars circulate within the community, strengthening long-term economic sustainability.

Through our Make Every Friday Black Friday initiative, ETV increased visibility and customer reach for 271 businesses via free promotion across social media and newsletters. These efforts translated into expanded brand exposure, new customers, and increased revenue opportunities.

Our Village Black Pages Business Directory generated 8,541 clicks in 2025, connecting consumers directly to Black-owned businesses.

Each click represents intentional economic redirection—an actionable step toward closing the racial wealth gap.

Additionally, ETV paid out approximately $260,000 to artists participating in our annual Juneteenth Art Exhibit, reinforcing our commitment to creative entrepreneurs as vital contributors to the economic ecosystem.

PG6

VILLAGE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK (VEN): ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH IN ACTION Economic empowerment remains at the core of ETV’s mission. In 2025, we reinvested approximately $750,000 into small and diverse businesses servicing ETV and benefiting from its programs.

The Village Empowerment Network (VEN) experienced a 26% year-over-year increase in businesses enrolled.

Approximately 250 businesses and individuals participated in the program in 2025, gaining access to financial education, networking, on-demand training, and personalized support.

VEN provided 100+ counseling sessions to entrepreneurs and community members, helping business owners refine strategy, improve operations, and access critical capital pathways.

This hands-on guidance reflects ETV’s belief that education and mentorship are foundational to sustainable business growth.

Through VEN, ETV continues to cultivate resilient entrepreneurs equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to scale their enterprises and build generational wealth.

PG7

Empowerment Summit 2025 Controlling Our Destiny!

Watch the 2025 Summit Video on YouTube

ETV’s Empowerment Summit, themed “Controlling Our Destiny,” features a Black-Owned Business & Resource Marketplace, four educational workshops, and a keynote panel designed for the community. Our Marketplace is a platform to generate revenue, connect entrepreneurs with potential business leads, and facilitate networking among like-minded individuals.The Empowerment Summit kicked off this years Black History month with features panels on entrepreneurship, mental health, and financial wellness led by expert panelists.

PG8

North Star Celebration

Celebrating E³ = Excellence, Entrepreneurship & Empowerment

2025 North Star Honorees

Inaugural Legacy Honorees

Sankofa Honoree

Annie Sneed-Godfrey & Darryl Godfrey Owners of Smart Sudz

Ramelle Massey & Emma Massey Owners of Massey Insurance Agency

Michele Meyer-Shipp CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide

Watch the 2025 North Star Celebration

PG9

VILLAGE VENTURES PITCH COMPETITION: INVESTING IN ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAMS ETV’s Annual Village Ventures Business Pitch Competition provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to refine their pitches and compete for growth capital.

With a panel of three expert judges and six finalists, the competition culminates at ETV’s North Star Celebration. ETV has awarded more than $45,000 to pitch finalists.

Village Ventures reflects ETV’s hands-on commitment to bridging capital gaps and providing entrepreneurs with both funding and visibility to sustain and scale their businesses.

2025 PITCH COMPETITION WINNERS

Adrienne M. Fudge

Salimah Scott

Clevonne St. Hillaire

Urban Glo

Brilliant Image Cleaning Service

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Myani Lawson

Janice Wanjiku

Dr. Christina Hector

40 Dreams Catering

Bergen Lafayette Montessori School

4th Place

MremboNYC

Onyx Aesthetics & Sports Medicine

5th Place

5th Place

PG10

4th Annual

POWER SWING CLASSIC SUPPORTING ETV’S PROSPERITY PROGRAMS

Empower The Village’s Power Swing Classic offers a dynamic platform to promote the mission and vision of ETV while raising funds for our Economic Prosperity initiatives. This event supports Black-owned businesses and their families and serves as a valuable networking opportunity. It also highlights our Village Empowerment Network program and Prosperity Pillar programs, amplifying our efforts to drive economic growth and community empowerment.

PG11

®

Our economic empowerment movement and multiplatform awareness initiative – MAKE EVERY FRIDAY, BLACK FRIDAY!® – encourages all Americans interested in racial equity and economic justice to take action to close the wealth gap between Black Americans and other Americans.

Features 30,000 Black-owned businesses across 25 states.

The Village Black Pages is a critical resource that enables individuals to empower and patronize ~30,000 Black-owned enterprises to create jobs and build wealth across 25 states, where 90% of the Black US population lives, works and owns businesses.

271 ETV increased visibility and customer reach for 271 businesses in 2025 with free promotion via social media and newsletters

8,541 Number of clicks to ETV’s Village Black Pages Business Directories

ETV EMPOWERS THE VILLAGE 5,000+

ETV’s social media followers and newsletter subscribers

~$260,000

paid out to artists participating in ETV’s annual Juneteenth Art Exhibit

~$750,000

Re-invested in small businesses and diverse business owners servicing ETV and/or benefiting from its programs

2000+

active program and event participants empowered by ETV’s data-driven mission and initiatives

234

community members participating in Village Assist mental health workshops and wellness programs

320

exquisite works of art sold from creative entrepreneurs PG12

POWER WALK For Mental Health

The 3rd Annual Power Walk for Mental Health welcomed more than 100 registrants and raised over $20,000 in support of Village Assist and mental health programming Participants engaged in yoga, fitness activities, and mental health workshops designed to normalize conversations around wellness and encourage community care.

The 3rd Annual Power Walk for Mental Health welcomed more than 100 registrants and raised over $20,000 in support of Village Assist and mental health programming Participants engaged in yoga, fitness activities, and mental health workshops designed to normalize conversations around wellness and encourage community care.

Dr. Karima Forbes of Bloom Psychological served as the 2025 Power Walk Ambassador, educating participants and encouraging individuals to seek support when needed.

100+ Registrants Over $20K in funds raised in 2025 to support Village Assist and Mental Health programming Mental Health wellness sessions hosted ~ yoga, fitness, and mental health workshops 2025 Power Walk Ambassador, Dr. Karima Forbes of Bloom Psychological, educated participants and encouraged community members to seek mental health support.

For The Love of Art

EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ART ETV’s 2025 Juneteenth Celebration: For the Love of Art marked the 5th anniversary of this signature cultural and economic empowerment event.

The exhibit featured 100+ pieces of art from 38 local and nationally renowned artists, generating over $100,000 in total art sales in 2025. Over the past five years, more than 600 attendees have supported this growing platform for creative entrepreneurs.

In commemoration of the milestone anniversary, ETV released a special For the Love of Art Exhibit Journal, celebrating selected works from previous years. This event continues to demonstrate that culture is commerce—and creative talent deserves sustainable economic opportunity.

Watch the 2025 Juneteenth “For The Love of Art”

ETV’s nonpartisan voter education and mobilization program is executed annually to inform Black voters in key strategic states how and where to vote early, reliably, and unimpeded by the vestiges of systemic racism and abuse.

TM

ETV partnered with other organizations, including the North Jersey chapter of Jack & Jill of America, to increase voter education and mobilization for NJ’s gubernatorial election, as well as key elections in Virginia and New York.

Financial Summary 2025 Income: $565,971*

2025 Expenses: $620,896

Income Breakdown

Corporate/ Foundation Support 18.1%

Individual Contributions 28.5% In-Kind Donations 1.5%

Program Revenue 53.4%

*Total calculations are subject to final audit.

Special Thanks to ETV’s Corporate and Individual Founder’s Circle Donors!

CORPORATE FOUNDER'S CIRCLE

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

PLATINUM FOUNDER’S CIRCLE Bonnie & Michael Carter

GOLD FOUNDER’S CIRCLE

Paula Tuffin

Denelle Waynick Johnson

SILVER FOUNDER’S CIRCLE

Annie Sneed-Godfrey

Jack Cox

Allyson Hugley

BRONZE FOUNDER’S CIRCLE David Hubbard Bill & Terri Borden Terry Trayvick Shaun Freeman

Kimberly MacKay Maurice Kuykendoll Randall McMillan Carolyn & Mark Mason

Perri Richman Mikeisha Anderson Jones Harry O’Mealia Mark Wilson

Thank you to our donors at every level for standing with Empower The Village and investing in the strength and resilience of our community. Every dollar you give creates incremental impact—fueling opportunity, expanding access, and moving us closer to shared prosperity for those we serve.

YOU ARE THE VILLAGE!

SAVE THE DATES! ETV 2026 EVENTS CALENDAR

Empowerment Summit WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING & MARKETPLACE Saturday ~ January 31, 2026

VILLAGE

VENTURES™ BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION

4TH ANNUAL BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION February 2026

North Star Celebration CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP Saturday ~ February 21, 2026

UNITY WALK For Community Wellness & Empowerment Saturday ~ May 16, 2026

For The Love of Art

6 T H ANNUAL Juneteenth Art Exhibit Saturday & Sunday ~ June 20-21, 2026

Power Swing Classic 5 T H ANNUAL Power Swing Classic Monday ~ September 28, 2026

Scan Here for tickets, sponsorships, and event information!

JOIN THE FOCUSED ON WEALTH, WELLNESS AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

VILLAGE

EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, BUSINESS OWNERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

STRATEGIZE TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY WEALTH AND WELLNESS

RESTORE PROSPERITY, PEACE AND POWER TO COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

LEARN MORE AT EMPOWERTHEVILLAGE.ORG ETV is a data-driven, community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit.