Good Works

GOOD WORKS Women ‘In the Black’ – Organized by Women to Assist African-American Women Owned-Businesses

By Audrey J. Bernard

Women In The Black New York Inc, reorganized in January 2021, helmed by a dynamic duo -- founder Princess Jenkins (owner of The Brownstone boutique) and Pat Stevenson (owner of Harlem Community Newspapers, Inc.) with a mission of assisting African-American women business owners to be successful and make a significant economic impact in the community. The 501 C3 non-profit is made up of an Executive and Advisory board of like-minded women who believe Black owned women businesses have too often been unable to get the type of

financing and resources required to soar and create the multi-million-dollar corporations they are capable of creating. They also want to ensure that after the Pandemic African-American business women will be able to maintain and grow their business.

Princess and Pat are

two African American women business owners who mean business! They have owned and maintained businesses in Harlem more than 25 years. They both have incredible resumes and experience and could have choice positions in corporate America but decided to own businesses in the

Harlem community where they; live, work and raised their families. They have witnessed the struggles and are intent upon helping women growing their businesses get and stay "in the black” and leave a legacy for others to follow.

The expression “in the black” is used to refer to a company’s profitabil-

Pat Stevenson Princess Jenkins debt - the goal resulting in financial stability.

As the entire world continues to transform, Women In The Black is seeking to implement a brighter more resilient future for African American women business owners in Harlem. This vision requires a relentless, long term secure pandemic plan committed to strengthening the community through fostering the growth of women owned businesses and promoting entrepreneurial excellence.

Women In the Black’s main objective is to raise monies to maintain and grow African-American women owned businesses by: providing grants/ micro loans ($2,500 to

$10,000) to assist them in Pandemic recovery. Also provide patience capital to legacy businesses (businesses who have existed for at least 7 years and have gross sales of over $250,000 for 3 years) to ensure that they can expand and grow into multimillion dollars businesses, providing jobs while making a significant economic impact in the community.

The group is actively raising $200K for administrative and support staff, workshops and events. Seeking a total initial budget of $3.7M. Women In The Black is making a true economic impact in the community. Proposals are available for government, foundations and corporations who have a desire to assist small businesses in general and specifically African-American women owned businesses.

The organization is accepting tax exempt donations from individuals and organizations. Visit their website at www.womenintheblack.com

Audrey Bernard Darlen Bryan

Mari Moss Maria Grazia Caveghni Debi B Jackson Donna Walker Dr. Marcella Maxwell Eugenia Foxworth Lil Nickelson

Nell Merlino Norma Darden Regina Smith Sofia Davis Thelma Russell

ity and current financial health. When a company is “in the black,” it denotes positive earnings, financially solvency and is unencumbered by too much