Economic Equity: Advancing Women of Color in Business Resource Book by WEOP Publications

2021 ECONOMIC ECONOMIC EQUITY: EQUITY: 2021

Advancing of Color in Business Advancing Women of ColorWomen in Business A BUSINESS FORUM SPEARHEADED BY WOMEN COLOR, A BUSINESS FORUMOF SPEARHEADED BY WOMEN OF COLOR, BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, FOUNDERS AND THOUGHT LEADERS BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, FOUNDERS AND THOUGHT LEADERS

ur Meet Our October 27, October 2021 27, 2021

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FORUM RESOURCE GUIDE: Melissa Bradley

ounder, 1863 Ventures

Kim Schoﬁeld

MelissaForum Bradley

AGENDA

Founder, 1863 Ventures

Purpose of

Forum

RESOURCE GUIDE WITH CLICKABLE WEBSITES

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS Discuss ways to break down challenges and create ladders of MORE! & MUCH Discuss ways to break down INFOGRAPHICS opportunity for Black Indigenous challenges and create ladders of Women of Color (BIWOC) opportunity for Black Indigenous Bring#eewomenofcolor women together to create Women of Color (BIWOC)

Kim Schoﬁeld

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have in-depth Bring women together to create conversations Georgia House of Representativesabout issues challenging ofEQUITY colorCONFERENCE in awareness, and have in-depth District 60-Fulton/Clayton/City Atlanta 1 WEOP women | of ECONOMIC business conversations about issues

challenging women of color in

S T N

E T

N O C 03

THE FOUNDERS: ANTIONETTE & MARIONETTE BALL

04 05 07 08 11 12

ABOUT WEOP CONFERENCE AGENDA 9 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE MEET OUR SPEAKERS MEET WEOP’S MEMBERS THE COWEN GROUP WOMEN ON PURPOSE

8 POWERFUL BUSINESS STRATEGIES

STATE OF WOMEN & MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

RESOURCE GUIDE: TOP INITIATIVES SUPPORTING WOMEN

18 19

THANK YOU SPONSORS & PARTNERS

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

THE FOUNDERS

ANTIONETTE & MARIONETTE BALL (THE TWINS)

Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black and Indigenous Women ofColor (BIWOC) entrepreneurs faced major challenges and obstacles.

It is Women’s Small Business Month, and we are mobilizing our community of women with our annual event, “Economic Equity: Advancing Women of Color in Business,” a forum. Since WEOP’s inception, we felt the importance of acknowledging Women’s History Month in March and Women’s Small Business Month in October to honor the resilience of women in history and the milestones and accomplishments of women leaders, creators, innovators and business owners. We also want to acknowledge, empower, and encourage women of color who have founded their own organizations and businesses.

Statistics and reports confirm that the pandemic has economically devastated Blackowned businesses; the rate of Black-owned businesses has dropped by 41%. These alarming figures confirm that our business forum is critically important. We are bringing together women leaders and entrepreneurs to educate, provide their unique perspectives, and address the challenges faced by women of color.

As the Founders of WEOP, we remain committed to doing the work necessary to elevate our community. As we navigate through the impact of the pandemic and the systemic barriers that continue to impede women of color, our work is even more imperative.

At our forum, we intend to discuss actionable strategies that lead to equitable outcomes for women in business. We will bring our partners together and explore ways to break down challenges so we can create ladders of opportunity for our BIWOC community.

WEOP, an organization founded and run by BIWOC, has been able to survive in the nonprofit sector, where only 0.30% of philanthropic funding is allocated by people of color. We are passionate and committed to supporting women because we are a small business, and we have experienced and understand the special challenges women of color face.

A special thank you to our sponsors JP Morgan Chase, Georgia Power, and ADP for their continued support. We also are excited to partner with The Coalition of Women’s Economic Network (COWEN), Delta Sigma Theta, Small Business Majority, and the Consulate of Canada, a group of organizations with a vested interest in the economic development and empowerment of women of color.

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

Empowering, Connecting & Inspiring

ABOUT WEOP The Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP), established in 1999, is a nonprofit organization founded and led by women of color who are dedicated to the economic advancement of women-owned businesses through education, resources, and professional networks. WEOP builds power, purpose, and a platform that advocates for policies, financial sustainability, increased leadership roles, and civic involvement for women of color. For the last twenty-three years, WEOP has created innovative program initiatives, promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives. The organization has built a strong ecosystem of corporate, community, and private sector partnerships, including those with anchor institutions. WEOP has received awards and recognition from Turner Broadcasting, Essence Magazine, U.S. Small Businesses Administration (SBA), the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN), and from the Fifth Third Foundation’s “Strengthening Our Communities” initiative. WEOP’s leadership serves on numerous community boards including Westside Works and the Truist CRA Council, and has worked with various groups in the Multi-Cultural Women’s Collaborative. WEOP’s mission is supported with the following activities: EDUCATION AND INFORMATION WEOP hosts an ongoing calendar of events, classes, monthly educational workshops, annual business conferences, and provides connections to resources for contract opportunities.

COLLABORATION WEOP collaborates with similar organizations, sharing model programs, referrals, and best practices. Together, we explore alternative methods for entrepreneurship education to enable business sustainability and growth.

PROCUREMENT TRAINING WEOP’s specialized class, “Prime Time Contract Training,” provides business owners with the skills and knowledge required to pursue federal and private contract opportunities.

DATA & REPORTS WEOP collects data, gathering insights and analyzing service gaps for women of color in business. This information is utilized to develop customized programming, and share best practices with partners.

MENTORSHIP AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WEOP connects women to a network of business professionals and strategic partners for mentorship opportunities, contracts, and business referrals. We partner with community organizations and stakeholders to encourage economic development within the community while promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity.

AN ONLINE COMMUNITY WEOP maintains an online business portal that reaches women nationally with virtual webinars and posting announcements related to contacts and grants. Additionally, WEOP disseminates a monthly educational newsletter to online subscribers.

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

9:00 am – 1:30 pm

CONFERENCE ECONOMIC EQUITY

Advancing Women of Advancing Women of Color in Busine Color in Business

AGENDA

MISTRESS of OF Ceremonies: CEREMONIES: LYNDSAY LEVINGSTON Mistress Lyndsay Levingston

9:00 am 9:25 am

WELCOME Greetings from Antionette Ball, CEO & Founder, WEOP Beverly Evans Smith, National President CEO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tiﬀany Nicole Glenn, Division Vice President, ADP, Inc.

9:30 am – 10:00 am

IMPACT: Initiatives Advancing Women of Color Industry leaders discuss civic engagement, corporate Initiatives supporting the economic growth and sustainability for women in business.

SPEAKERS

Pamela Bivens Assistant Director for Diversity & Inclusion, Duke University Moderator

10:00 am – 10:15 am

INTERMISSION: Take a break, visit main stage or network

10:15 am – 10:45 am

PROGRESS: Moving Forward in 2021 A lens on the Small Business Administration (SBA) and community organizations providing resources for equitable small business growth, access to capital, and networks that support women in business.

SPEAKERS

Rachel Shanklin Georgia Outreach Manager, Small Business Majority Moderator

10:45 am – 11:00 am

INTERMISSION: Take a break, visit main stage or network

Kim Schofield Georgia State Representative, District #60

Veronica Pugin Senior Advisor, U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA), Oﬀice of Capital Access

weop.org

Jessica Taylor National Director of 10,000 Small Businesses, Goldman Sachs

Terri L. Denison Georgia District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Agenda Continued On Next Page...

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

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Advancing Women of Color in Business

October 27, 20

9:00 am – 1:30 pm CONFERENCE

AGENDA

ECONOMIC EQUITY Advancing Women of Color in Busine

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES: LYNDSAY LEVINGSTON

11:00 am – 11:30 am

INSIGHTS: Confronting our Challenges Candid insights on wealth and wage disparities, correlation of mental wellness with financial wellbeing and the long term financial sustainability for women.

SPEAKERS

Leida M. Speller, CFP ® ,ChFC ®, RICP® Apogee Financial Partners Moderator

11:30 am – 11:45 am 11:45 am – 12:00 noon

Charmaine Davis Regional Director, Southeast Region IV, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau

Rashida Winfrey VP, Minority Entrepreneur Sr. Consultant, JPMorgan Chase

Intermission: Take a break, visit main stage or network PURPOSE: Making A Diﬀerence A spotlight on millennial women making a diﬀerence with projects that make this world a better place.

SPOTLIGHT

Consuela MetCalf Founder, Love Me Enough to Leave, Inc. and Author

12:00 noon – 12:15 pm

Intermission: Take a break, visit main stage or network

12:15 pm – 12:45 pm

Joy Black Violinist and Activist Uplifts victims of bullying in schools

FUTURE: Driving the Economic Power of Women Melisa L. Bradley shares her perspectives on driving the success of women owned businesses with innovation, gender lens investments and utilizing economic power.

KEYNOTE

Kim Greene Hughes, Esq Founder & Manager, K.G. Hughes & Associates, LLC Moderator

12:45 pm– 1:00 pm

CLOSING REMARKS: Glenda Stinson, CEO, S.E.A.T. Business Development Group Musical Selection: Joy Black, Violinist

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Speed Networking weop.org 6

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

Melissa L. Bradley Managing Partner, 1863 Ventures

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9 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MAKE SURE YOUR BROWSER IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONFERENCE PLATFORM. We recommend using a desktop with Firefox or Chrome for the event. If you’d rather use a mobile device, please download the Hopin app for the best conference experience. Check out Hopin’s FAQ section at hopin.com

CREATE A PROFILE and upload a picture! The conference is a fantastic way to network and make connections.

JOIN THE MORNING SESSIONS. Co-founder and CEO of WEOP, Antionette Ball, will give welcoming statements at 9AM, and at 9:30 our first session will begin.

ATTEND ALL THE SESSIONS, you will hear perspectives from some amazing speakers speaking about issues important for you.

ASK QUESTIONS AND GET INVOLVED. Remember, this conference is for YOU to gain and share insights! The sessions will be designed to encourage discussion, so this is your chance to talk to industry leaders.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INTERMISSIONS. There will be a 15 minute break between each session. Use this time to network or visit our main stage for special giveaways, resources and announcements.

8 9

JOIN OUR KEYNOTE SESSION – FUTURE: DRIVING THE ECONOMIC POWER OF WOMEN. You’ll be able to hear from Melissa L. Bradley – managing partner of 1863 Ventures, professor at Georgetown University, and presidential appointee under the Clinton and Obama administrations. She will share her perspectives on driving the success of women-owned businesses.

ATTEND THE NETWORKING SESSION at the end of the conference. You’ll have 30 minutes to meet and connect with other business professionals and industry leaders.

USE THE CHAT FEATURE. This is the best way to engage with your fellow participants. Before the day of the event, get familiar with the Chat session, another great way to network.

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

ANTIONETTE BALL

JOY BLACK

PAMELA BIVENS

CO-FOUNDER & CEO THE WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY PROJECT, INC. (WEOP)

VIOLINIST

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION DUKE UNIVERSITY

Antionette Ball is one of the founders of WEOP. Since 1999, Antionette and her twin sister, Marionette Ball have been instrumental in developing innovative programming and initiatives that fosters the growth of entrepreneurs and women owned businesses. Antionette is also an author, publisher and creator of “Her Biz Journal”.

Joy Black began playing violin when she was 13 years old. Violin provided her an escape from the daily teasing and bullying she endured at school. Her talent has brought her from the days of taking trains and busses to shows with her mother, to now playing shows across the country at events for companies such as Ford, Gatorade, CBS, the New England Patriots, Essence, and more.

In her current role, she trains and educates health professionals on how implicit biases impact culturally competent care and patient safety. Ms. Bivens has spoken around the nation, and within the STEM arena on the human understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, emotional intelligence, belonging, microaggressions and cultural humility.

MELISSA BRADLEY

CHARMAINE DAVIS

TERRI DENISON

FOUNDER, 1863 VENTURES

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTHEAST REGION IV U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, WOMEN’S BUREAU

GEORGIA DISTRICT DIRECTOR U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Melissa L. Bradley is Founder of 1863 Ventures, a business development program that accelerates black and brown entrepreneurs through rigorous leadership training and strategic market access. Melissa is the former Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was named one of the most entrepreneurial women investors in 2018. She has raised $130 million for entrepreneurs, and she has served as a Presidential Appointee under Presidents Clinton and Obama.

Charmaine Davis is an experienced policy strategist, facilitator and organizer. In her role with the Women’s Bureau, she continues to promote the welfare of wage earning women. She is a published author and her articles have been featured in Huﬃngton Post, Paciﬁc Standard and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

Terri Denison is the Georgia District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). She is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the SBA’s ﬁnancial, counseling/training, and business development programs for small businesses throughout Georgia.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

TIFFANY NICOLE GLENN DIVISION VICE PRESIDENT HUMAN RESOURCES ADP, INC.

RACHEL SHANKLIN GEORGIA OUTREACH MANAGER SMALL BUSINESS MAJORITY

CONSUELA METCALF FOUNDER LOVE ME ENOUGH TO LEAVE, INC.

Tiﬀany has been in the ﬁeld of Human Resources for 15+ years with experience in multiple disciplines including talent and performance acceleration, organizational design, associate relations, business process improvement, diversity and inclusion, change leadership, and learning management.

Rachel Shanklin manages the Small Business Majority’s outreach, education, and policy eﬀorts in the state of Georgia by building and maintaining strategic partnerships, educating businesses throughout the state on key issues, and working on statewide policy eﬀorts.

Consuela Metcalf is the founder of Love Me Enough to Leave, Inc.— a nonproﬁt organization dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence. LMETL focuses on the process of recovery, and the organization implements programs and classes to help survivors regain stability and move forward.

VERONICA PUGIN

KIM SCHOFIELD

KIM GREENE HUGHES, ESQ

SENIOR ADVISOR, OFFICE OF CAPITAL ACCESS U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

GEORGIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT #60

FOUNDER AND MANAGER K.G. HUGHES & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Representative Kim Schoﬁeld serves the citizens of House District 60, which includes areas of Southeast Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Forest Park, and Hapeville. She was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 2017, and she serves on the Small Business Development, Interstate Cooperation, and Health and Human Service committees.

Kim has combined legal experience in Corporate/Business, Real Estate (Commercial and Residential), Entertainment, and other related fields during which she has advised and represented clients for over 20 years. Kim is affiliated with both professional and civic organizations and, also, holds the status of a state registered mediator for General Civil and Business/Corporate matters.

Ms. Pugin is the Senior Advisor to the Small Business Administration’s Oﬃce of Capital Access. In this role, she leads programs and projects to deliver small business capital resources across the country with a focus on equity and accessibility.

WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

BEVERLY EVANS SMITH NATIONAL PRESIDENT CEO DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. Beverly Evans Smith is the 20172021 National President CEO for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., one of the nation’s largest minority female-owned and operated public service non-proﬁts. In this role she has restructured the corporate board and headquarters operation, initiated the documentation of all business operations, added new revenue streams and increased membership.

LEIDA SPELLER CFP ® ,CHFC ®, RICP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER APOGEE FINANCIAL PARTNERS

GLENDA STINSON CEO, S.E.A.T. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Leida specializes in retirement planning, investment strategies, and income planning. She has continued her education by obtaining the Series 6, 7, 63, and 24 professional licenses and earned the prestigious CFP®, ChFC® and RICP® designations. Leida is consistently recognized for her unrelenting devotion to helping women achieve their ﬁnancial goals.

Glenda is a retired Supplier Diversity Manager for Southern Company’s electric business affiliates and is known for developing suppliers to build and strengthen core business competencies. She is the founder and CEO of S.E.A.T. Business Development Group, a company that provides services in Supplier Diversity, Mentoring Program development and DBE Sourcing.

JESSICA TAYLOR

RASHIDA WINFREY

LYNDSAY LEVINGSTON

NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES GOLDMAN SACHS

VP, MINORITY ENTREPRENEUR SR. CONSULTANT

MODERATOR SEGMENT PRODUCER/RESEARCHER, BNC

Jessica Taylor is an adaptable, corporate leader with 10+ years of experience developing strategy, cultivating high-value partnerships and driving impact. She is leading Goldman Sach’s 10,000 Women’s initiative that focuses on investing in women entrepreneurs with business education, mentoring, networking and access to capital.

Ms. Winfrey brings an extensive background in corporate and government leadership to her work at JPMorgan Chase. She has over seventeen years of experience providing ﬁnancial management, sales and business strategy for Fortune 500 companies.

JPMORGAN CHASE

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Lyndsay Levingston is a multimedia personality, consultant, and Founder of SurviveHER™. She is also a Segment Producer/Researcher for the Black News Channel, the nation’s fastest-growing news network.

MEET WEOP’S MEMBERS Visit weopwomen.com and connect with WEOP’s circle of business women.

Andrea Harrison Couture Creations Paper Flowers

Ashleigh Poff Rich Beyond Wealth

L’Destiny Barton ACE Moving and Transporting Services LLC

Jennifer J. Barbosa CEO, International Supply Partners

Yolanda White DAYO Women

Karen Mills, P.E., Esq., Mills Law, LLC

Chivonne Hyppolite Abstract Elements Management Agency

Tracy Williams Accu Clean, Inc

Tonia Morris Simply HR, Inc.

Selena Harrow SayIT Tech Consulting, LLC

Montez Diamond Conflict Cookie, LLC

Tonya Hicks Power Solutions, Inc.

Betty Davis Kerbe Productions

Makela Taylor Marke Enterprises

Shatequa Hamilton Aviation Discoveries, Inc.

Hermence Matsosta uBuntuSpeaks, LLC

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THE COWEN GROUP:

WOMEN ON PURPOSE

Antionette Ball

Juanita Sheppard

Pamela Bivens

Leida M. Speller

CEO & Founder, The Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project

Vice President, Foundation Relations, United Way of Greater Atlanta

Duke University Office of Institutional Equity

Investment Advisor, Apogee Financial Partners

Renzie L. Richardson

Terri Marie Gleaton

Kim Schofield

Founder & CEO, BHFL Group

President, Gleaton & Associates

Representative, Georgia House of Representatives, District 60-Fulton/ Clayton/City of Atlanta

Kim Greene Hughes, Esq K.G. Hughes & Associate

WEOP

i s on a mission to bring women together in Atlanta to shine a light on the issues that matter to our community of business women with the launching of the Coalition of Women’s Economic Network (COWEN). The founding members consist of women from a range of backgrounds which includes nonprofit, academic, financial, legal, business and public office. are coming together to form The Coalition of Women’s Economic Network (COWEN). The coalition serves as a voice for women, shares best practices and works on initiatives that foster economic equity, policy changes and opportunities to promote the economic advancement of BIWOC women. COWEN harnesses the collective power of women and operates on the philosophy that great things happen when women come together.

As we bounce back from the impact of the pandemic, and work to support women owned businesses, this is a prime time to demonstrate our strength in numbers. Women business owners continue to face economic, market, sociocultural, and institutional barriers, which are all linked to racial discrimination, lack of capital, family issues and access to networks. The members of the coalition are committed collectively to driving initiatives to promote to spur investment in the advancement for women in business that will produce equitable outcomes. The coalition creates a prime opportunity to address service gaps, explore innovative solutions and bring attention to needs for women in business.

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“Never underestimate what women can accomplish when they stand and work together!”

8 POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

8 Powerful Business Strategies to

Simple tips for small business owners, freelancers, independent contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Simple tips for small business owners, freelancers, independent contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

GET CERTIFIED INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGIES New and emerging technologies can transform the way you do business. Integrate technology tools to automate your internal processes, improve communications, manage your financials, track performance and measure your progress.

Leverage your status with certifications from the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women owned business (EDWOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). BUSINESS certify.sba.gov

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE Explore the following programs offered by the SBA: The Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) and the 8(a) Business Development program. Both of the programs provide the opportunity for small business owners to receive business development assistance with management, marketing, education and partnership opportunities. sba.gov

DO YOUR RESEARCH The federal government has databases that provide you with an abundance of information related to past awards, quantities, costs and listing of awardees. Utilize databases to study your competitors, track federal expenditures and review forecast reports. acquisition.gov

GET FUNDING

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Seeking capital to grow your business, micro-loans are available from Community Development Financial Institutions. CDFIs are nonprofits that support business owners with loans, training and technical assistance. Locate a CDFI in your area by visiting the locator site. ofn.org/cdfi-locator

NAICS CODES Know your NAICS codes! The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are the most commonly used industry codes in the U.S. These codes categorize businesses by their industry types and are used by states, cities, and corporations for procurement programs. census.gov

GET REGISTERED IN SAM If you are interested in doing business with the federal government, you should register your business in the System for Award Management (SAM). Also, familiarize yourself with the registration processes required to do business with your local City, County and State. sam.gov

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The federal government provides tools and business resources for current or future small business owners. The content is from twenty-four handpicked official U.S. government websites. Enter keywords or a topic to get results from federal agencies and programs that work with small businesses. usa.gov

The State of Women AND Minority Owned

Businesses Black Women Leading Business Growth

Black Women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in America

42 % Started By Black Women Of New Businesses Are

% Of Black Owned Businesses Are Headed By Women

Structural & Economic Inequities The average revenue for African American women businesses is the lowest compared to all women owned businesses

$24,000

Average Annual Revenue for businesses owned by black women

$142,900

48%

Healthcare and Social Assistance

13%

Professional, Scientific and Technical Assistance

Businesses owned by Black Women

are concentrated in lower revenue sectors and over represented in low growth industries

Annual Revenue of all Women Owned Business

Administrative Support & waste management Retail

Accomodation & Food Services

Other Services

COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT

The pandemic has had a disproportionate economic impact on Black owned businesses

41 % Black owned

Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project, Inc. www.weop.org

businesses closed during Covid-19

Minority owned Businesses still face funding and lending disparities, lack of access to loans and equity investments

61%

Of Black Women self fund their total start up business cost

0.64%

Of women owned businesses received Venture Capitalist Funding

Sources: • U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey 2018 • National Bureau Of Economic Research (NBER) Working Paper 27309 • Mckinsey & Company 2020 – Building a Supportive ecosystem of Black Owned Businesses • Project Diane 2020 – The State of Black and Latinx Women Founders • American Express – State of Women Owned Businesses 2019 • Stanford Institute of Economic Policy & Research-Black & White: Access to Capital for Minority Start-ups • Brookings Institute – Businesses Owned by Women and Minorities have Grown. Will Covid-19 undo That National

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RESOURCES YOU SHOULD KNOW: TOP INITIATIVES SUPPORTING WOMEN The numbers are in and they confirm that the number of women launching businesses continues to rise. Starting, maintaining, and growing a business is tough, especially for women of color. Yet, women still face numerous challenges which includes lack of access to capital, support from mentors and a network of support to access business contracts. The following resource list was compiled to highlight the organizations that support women in business with training, programs, guidance, peer networking, capital and mentorship

ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR ENTREPRENEURS (ACE) ACE is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing affordable loans to underserved small businesses. (ACE) has helped North Georgia and metro Atlanta’s entrepreneurs survive and thrive for twenty years. The agency also provides capital, coaching, and connections to help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses that generate jobs. aceloans.org ADVANCING BLACK PATHWAYS JPMORGAN CHASE Chase for Business and Advancing Black Pathways have come together to offer Advancing Black Entrepreneurs – a collection of practical resources tailored to help Black business owners grow and scale their business. The educational programs and on-demand resources deliver guidance on a number of business topics.. jpmorganchase.com/impact/people/advancing-black-pathways

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLACK WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION (NABWIC) NABWIC is a Florida-based, non-profit organization, formed in 1991 to address the unique challenges of black women in the construction industry. Its mission is to champion and empower black women in construction and related industries to reach their full potential as entrepreneurs and small business owners. nabwic.org

CENTER FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN (CAPAW) CAPAW strives to expand the leadership capacity of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through leadership training, building awareness, and creating a supportive community. Their signature program is the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI). APAWLI is a 7-month program that helps AAPI women develop their leadership skills to advance their careers. CAPAW also regularly holds leadership and women’s conferences to gather AAPI women and discuss the issues impacting them. pawomen.org DIGITALUNDIVIDED Digital Undivided offers training and resources for women of color entrepreneurs at every stage of business ownership. They have three training programs – one for women in the idea phase, one for start-ups, and a year-long fellowship program for established businesses. They also provide a resource and networking community. Their programs are based on data and research conducted by the organization. digitalundivided.com

SBA OFFICE OF WOMEN’S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP (OWBO) OWBO reaches out to women entrepreneurs through a number of programs that are coordinated through every SBA district office. The Women’s Business Centers (WBC), along with SBA district offices, help women entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. OWBO’s programs provide business training, counseling and technical assistance. sba.gov

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RESOURCES YOU SHOULD KNOW: TOP INITIATIVES SUPPORTING WOMEN

NATIVE WOMEN LEAD

1863 VENTURES Melissa Bradley founded 1863 Ventures, an organization dedicated to the mission of helping New Majority entrepreneurs, individuals that have been historically marginalized and disinvested, grow their businesses through rigorous programming, consistent coaching, personal and professional mentoring, and access to capital. The 1863 Ventures team is comprised of serial entrepreneurs and investors who collectively represent over 60+ years of business experience. 1863ventures.net INVEST ATLANTA, WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE (WEI) The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) is a municipally funded program initiated through the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Atlanta and Atlanta’s economic development authority, Invest Atlanta. WEI provides a network of resources to a community of emerging and aspiring entrepreneurs. WEI also functions as an incubator for a selected group of women-owned small businesses and provides them with individually tailored intensive business training. weiatlanta.com

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN The International Association of Women has chapters across the United States with the purpose of gathering women entrepreneurs to network and promote their brands. The organization also offers webinars, mentorship, labs, seminars, and other resources to help women grow and scale their businesses. iawomen.com

LATINAS THINK BIG (LTB) The primary goal of Latinas Think Big is to provide a support system for Latina professionals. Their online platform is a place where women can go for mentorship, career advice, educational programs, and networking. LTB also holds national and local summits where women can gather to discuss their personal journeys in the professional world. latinasthinkbig.com

Native Women Lead is an organization that celebrates and promotes Native American women in business as the backbones of their communities. NWL hosts an annual Native Women’s Business Summit and creates programs and initiatives to support Native women in business. NWL’s unique program is their Matriarch Loan Fund, which offers affordable loans to be used for any purpose to help Native women business owners, including housing, food, and utilities. nativewomenlead.org THE ACCELERATION PROJECT (TAP) TAP is a nonprofit consulting organization that offers free expert advice on a wide variety of topics to encourage small business growth, particularly for businesses owned by women of color. By providing advice on strategic planning, marketing, financial management, and operations, TAP accelerates business growth and strengthens economies in underserved communities. theaccelerationproject.org SILENCE THE SHAME Silence the Shame is a nonprofit organization that focuses on education and awareness around mental health. The programs and initiatives consist of Crisis Response Trainings, Community Conversations, Wellness Trainings, digital content, and outreach events. In 2019, STS expanded mental health education programming and outreach programs to address poverty, youth development, and health disparities among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+). silencetheshame.com BUY FROM A BLACK WOMEN Buy From A Black Woman (BFABW) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization helping to educate, empower and inspire Black woman business owners. Through educational programs, an online directory, and financial resources, Buy from a Black Woman continues to grow as a trusted organization that provides Black Women in business the tools and resources they need to be successful. buyfromablackwoman.org

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RESOURCES YOU SHOULD KNOW: TOP INITIATIVES SUPPORTING WOMEN WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY PROJECT (WEOP) The Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project is a nonprofit organization that supports women of color entrepreneurs and business owners. Members of WEOP can access classes and webinars on various topics such as SBA certifications, federal contracting, civic engagement, and more. WEOP also provides one-on-one consulting, monthly business roundtables, networking opportunities, and economic symposiums. WEOP’s proprietary course is the “Prime Time” Contract Class, which focuses on training women to secure federal and private contracts. weop.org SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL NETWORK (SAWPN) SAWPN aims to provide South Asian women professionals a community of women who understand one another’s unique struggles in the professional world. SAWPN’s online community is a place where South Asian women can connect and receive mentorship and support. Members have the opportunity to network, make connections, and find a community of likeminded women. sawpn.org

WOMEN IMPACTING PUBLIC POLICY (WIPP) Women Impacting Public Policy is primarily an advocacy organization representing the interests of women entrepreneurs. Members of WIPP can access their education platform, where they can take high-level courses on federal procurement, building capacity, and wealth management. wipp.org

GOLDMAN SACHS ONE MILLION BLACK WOMEN INITIATIVE The One Million Black Women initiative is conducted in partnership with black women-led organizations. Goldman Sachs is making a commitment of $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to address racial biases faced by black women and exacerbated by the pandemic. The initiatives will support healthcare, entrepreneurship, workforce development, digital connectivity and other areas that will address the structural challenges faced by black women. goldmansachs.com

BLACK GIRL VENTURES Black Girl Ventures helps women of color develop the skills they need to grow their small businesses. Along with their signature pitch competitions and fellowship program, BGV has a special virtual community – BGV Connect – where women of color can receive mentorship, funding opportunities, pitch practice, coaching, support groups, webinars, and insider expert knowledge. blackgirlventures.org

SMALL BUSINESSES DRIVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD

and lift our communities up. Each of these organizations understands the importance of women of color joining the ranks of the nation’s entrepreneurs. The resources that exist to help you launch, grow, and scale your business are as extraordinary as you are. We hope that you will find what you need to achieve the success of your dreams.

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SPECIAL THANKS To our “Circle of Women” for your continued support, guidance and inspiration!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHERELLE CORTEZ National Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Layton Construction Group

KIMBERLY KNIGHT PAMELA SMITH Area Director, SBDC at Clayton State President & CEO, Smith Real Estate Services University

EUGENIA BROWN Assistant Vice President, Financial Center Manager, Fifth Third Bank

LASHAUNDA SMITH-POPE Manager, Supplier Diversity, Southern Company Gas

GLENDA STINSON CEO, S.E.A.T. Business Development Group

LEIDA M. SPELLER, Investor Adviser Representative, Apogee Financial Partners

TIFFANY GLENN. Vice President, Human Resources, PEO & Comp Services, ADP TIFFANY MCCLINTON Account Executive, Atlanta, Dell

MORLI DESAI MELISSA MANLEY KENYA A. HOOVER Founder & Principal, DevSai Capital Vice President of Financial Global Entitlements Manager, NCR Operations, Purchasing Power Corp. Corporate Division

WEOP TEAM ANTIONETTE BALL CEO & Founder

LATASHA BALL Technical Director

ASHLEIGH POFF Event Coordinator

MARIONETTE BALL COO & Co-Founder

ANGELA JONES Graphic Designer

KIMBERLY VOUGHT Communications

PARTNERSHIP TEAM CAMILLE PATTERSON Delta Sigma Theta RACHEL SHANKLIN Small Business Majority

ASHANTE INFANTRY Consulate General of Canada Atlanta office YOLANDA WHITE DAYO

WEOP SPEAKERS

VOLUNTEERS

Special thank you to all the speakers.

Thank you to volunteers from Delta Sigma Theta and the WEOP Circle

CAROL THOMPSON U.S. Small Business Administration 18 WEOP | ECONOMIC EQUITY CONFERENCE