Black BRAND

In 2023, b-force accelerator nurtured 140 businesses, many of whom are providing critical service in hampton roads every day. In addition to the technical assistance provided, business owners benefited in the following important ways: 1. B-force accelerator awarded 71,000 in funding to 20 program participants. 2. 65 b-force participants reported having accessed a total of 1,650,794 in capital. 3. B-force accelerator expanded its service area to accept businesses across the hampton roads region, and partnered with the city of portsmouth economic development to ensure that all portsmouth cohort program graduates would qualify to receive its 2000 and/or 5000 grant. 4. Black Brand curated a popup event for each of its five cohorts whereby the community could come out, learn about and shop with local merchants. 5. Black Brand organized a successful cash mob event for one deserving business during each cohort where the entire cohort committed to coming out, bringing a friend, and spending at least 20. 6. Black Brand provided collaboration opportunities for participants which turned into a number of successful collaborations and joint ventures. 7. Black Brand worked one on one with businesses not only to prepare them but to curate capital opportunities for them based on their unique profiles, resulting in a number of businesses receiving their first ever capital opportunities in the form of grants, business credit cards, lines of credit, and pitch contest winnings from across the region. Women who lead is a 12-week professional development accelerator that helps minority women (prioritizing lmi candidates) improve their leadership skills, access traditionally male-dominated industries, and gain certifications to obtain higher paying wages or access to contract opportunities. In partnership with nsu, participants are exposed to 58 subject-matter experts. 75% of participants matriculated into wwl society for ongoing professional development. 15% of participants increased their pay during or after the 12-week cohort. 20% of cohort members took classes to obtain certification. 30% of participants obtained community-based leadership positions. 10% of participants matriculated into other personal or professional development programs. Black diamond weekend 2023 expanded its offering to create a free track called 757 bias which included an opportunity fair and affirmative action town hall, introducing participants to the invaluable resources that exist across the hampton roads region. In addition to four other value-packed tracks, participants were given the opportunity to earn ceus through tcc for the courses taken. The 8th annual Black diamond affair awarded key leaders in the following categories: excellence in innovation: michelle wren- portsmouth partnership lifetime achievement in business: dr. keith newby - fort norfolk medical plaza community impact: truist entrepreneur of the year: diamond gorman- rea-d employment agency, llc excellence in nonprofit leadership: anthony walters - ymca excellence in business leadership - nneka chiazor- cox communications excellence in health equity- dana beckton - sentara health excellence in public relations- kelli webb- kbd group llc excellence in entertainment- tony brothers- brothers restaurant bdw 2023 featured 70+ hours of content, 75 speakers across 3 days, 451 participants, 1 grant given to Black health-industry business, and 9 community Black diamond awards.