GREENWOOD WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER

Though not an accelerator, the Greenwood Women’s Business Center aims to address the inequity facing Black- and women-owned firms. Donna Jackson, GWBC director, says, “there are other programs supporting women entrepreneurship (in Tulsa), but this is the only women’s business center and only organization of its kind located in the Historic Greenwood District.”

Located at 102 N. Greenwood Ave., GWBC opened in March 2022 in the historic business district, where today 80% of business owners are women.

The GWBC is passionate about advancing the expansion of Black- and womenowned businesses. The nonprofi t creates its collaborative programming, tools and resources with partners like the U.S. Small Business Administration, Tulsa’s own TEDC Creative Capital, the Small Business Development Centers and other government agencies that look to expand the growth of minority and women business enterprises.

Programs and courses include continuously updated training, counseling and connections to financial resources, no matter the startup’s stage. Coaching, business planning, certification, financing, business development, marketing techniques, operational management, procurement matchmaking, contracting services and networking opportunities are at the center of the GWBC’s program.

The center has counseled over 200 women in an 11-month period, providing direct technical assistance or referrals to partners.

“We believe our program is keenly unique in serving diverse women entrepreneurs in the city of Tulsa,” Jackson says. “(We) focus and concentrate on their business needs, work/life balance and exposure to available resources and programs to increase their knowledge, expertise and long-term sustainability.”

GWBC has hosted women’s pitch competitions. Activewear brand Bounceless CEO Chantelle Lott won the organization’s first competition, which introduced her to the center and its contacts and networking opportunities. GWBC will host its second pitch competition at its 2023 Women’s Summit on March 29.

The Greenwood center is one of 140 women business centers across the nation and is partially funded through a cooperative grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Business owners can learn more about GWBC, its partners, furture events and workshops at greenwoodwbc.org.