BLACK CONNECT, INC.

Black Connect is a national, chapter and membership-based, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eliminating the racial wealth gap in America by increasing the number and success rate of Black-owned businesses.

Black Connect has been a trailblazer in the fight to close the racial wealth gap in America and empower Black entrepreneurs as the only national chapter and membership based 501(c)(3) organization solely focused on increasing the number and success rate of Black-owned businesses. Black-owned businesses are crucial to building generational wealth, strengthening communities and reducing economic inequities. Yet, Black entrepreneurs face systemic challenges:

• Only 2% of venture capital funding flows to Black entrepreneurs.
• 80% of Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months due to a lack of resources
• 96% of Black-owned businesses operate without employees.

Black Connect’s entrepreneurial ecosystem tears down these barriers. Through programs like pro bono legal services, financial planning, and business mentoring, we’re helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and thrive in a system designed to exclude them. Our holistic approach to our mission tears down silos and circumvents inequities and systemic barriers that perpetuate cycles of poverty in Black communities. Our model unifies and increases communication, awareness, and resources. With limited financial support from foundations and major donors, the assistance of skilled volunteers plays an integral role in the organization’s development and our remarkable impact on the communities that we serve.

• Black Connect’s Small Business Legal Services Program was awarded the 2024 Brown Select Award for the Delivery of Legal Services from the American Bar Association. We have partnered with 30 national law firms that have collectively provided a quarter of a million dollars in business-related pro bono legal services to help over 200 small business owners avoid costly legal mistakes and build sustainable businesses.
• We have provided over $50,000 in business grants via FeverPitch - our national pitch competition.
• We have matched over 100 entrepreneurs with business mentors.
• We have opened local chapters in NYC, Tampa, Tulsa, and Atlanta. Chapter involvement allows members to expand their professional network, inspire other entrepreneurs in their community, and advocate for their local Black business community. Members may join as many local chapters as they choose, which helps them grow their businesses and gain customers and make connections in other geographic locations. Entrepreneurship is hard and can be lonely and the emotional support and encouragement that our chapter members provide to one another is invaluable to increasing the success rate of Black small business owners. We’re growing BC’s footprint through a multifaceted expansion strategy that includes strengthening and increasing our local chapter network.

Become a member at https://blackconnect.org/join.

Donate at https://blackconnect.org/donate