Level

This is the posture our founder leads with and it is the posture Level is built on. Putting Black women on is not a moment. It is a model. When Nikoa Milton Gulstone talks about access, capital and participation, she is not speaking in theory. She is describing the framework we operate from every day. We believe community is strongest when it moves beyond encouragement and into coordination. When information becomes infrastructure. When proximity becomes ownership. When support becomes capital allocation. The instinct to turn toward each other in uncertain markets is powerful. At Level, we formalize that instinct. We create structured pathways for women to invest together, to fund founders together, to share diligence, opportunity and risk in ways that build long-term economic power. Community is not just connection, it is collective action backed by resources. We are proud to be led by someone who understands that winning alone is small and building systems that allow many to win is the real work. That is the standard and that is the strategy.

“What’s something you’ve known as a Black person that the world is just now catching up to?” That we were never behind. We were surviving systems designed to exclude us. We are excellent, even when excellence isn’t acknowledged. We’ve always known that we’re not the only ones being targeted by broken systems. We’ve always known that redemption is resilience. We’ve always known that our communities carry a moral compass rooted in collective care. Now the world is calling it innovation. Now they’re calling it leadership. Now they’re studying what we’ve practiced for generations. At Level, we don’t wait for validation and never have. We invest in what we already know is powerful. We build capital around excellence that has always existed. The world may be catching up but we’ve been clear. #LevelLeaders #BlackExcellence #CommunityWealth #InvestInBlackWomen #BlackHistoryMonth2026 #BHM2026

For decades, research has shown that Black women receive less than 1% of venture capital, despite outperforming peers in revenue efficiency, innovation, and community impact. Yet when Black women do receive investment, the returns are often stronger and more sustainable.   Angel investing becomes a corrective force, a way to repair gaps that philanthropy alone has never solved. It shifts who gets to build, who gets to scale, and who gets to imagine beyond survival. When we invest collectively, we’re not just writing checks. We’re redistributing power. We’re changing outcomes. We’re building the ecosystem we’ve been waiting for. #AngelInvesting #WomenInvestors #InvestinBlackWomen #LevelUp #CollectivePower

Last holiday season, Level hosted a dinner party in partnership with JP Morgan Chase. The room was full of dynamic women talking about their futures.   Everyone came in carrying something different: curiosity about wills, uncertainty around trusts, questions about revocable trusts, power of attorney, executors and what it really means to plan for the future.   What unfolded was a room full of grace. A space where people could seek clarity without shame. It wasn’t about having all the answers but it was about creating space to ask the right questions. A space where two Black women, working inside one of the largest financial institutions in the world, opened up the room for honest conversations about stewardship. We discussed how to care for your money even when you’re in debt, how to set up trusts that make your money work for you, how to protect children while still giving them room to grow and how to plan intentionally if you don’t have a spouse or children.   It was an eye opener that financial planning doesn’t have to feel cold, intimidating or exclusive. It can feel human. It can feel welcoming. It can feel like community.   That’s what Level is about. We aim to meet people where they are and walking forward together with clarity and care.   This event will forever go down as one of our favorites. Thank you so much Makena Kiara and Amanda D. Johnson for sharing your knowledge in such a warm way.

We’re closing out 2025 in partnership with JPMorgan for the Level Holiday Soirée in NYC! This will be an evening of celebration, connection, and community. Join us on Thursday, December 4th for elevated vibes, meaningful conversations and great company as we toast to a year of growth, impact, and collective wins. 🥂 This evening is designed to honor where we’ve been, celebrate how far we’ve come and set intentions for the legacy we’re building - both personally and collectively. What to Expect: ✨ A fully catered dinner and curated drink experience ✨ Conversations around wealth and estate planning to building lasting impact ✨ Community and elevated vibes that remind us what we’re creating together Space is limited so RSVP by Thursday, November 27th via this link: https://lnkd.in/eUUY-3Mv Let’s toast to a new year of legacy, abundance and alignment. #LevelLeaders #LegacyParty #HolidaySoiree #BuildingLegacy #CommunityInAction #TogetherWeRise #ThingstodoinNYC #NYCWomen

There are some people who don’t just show up to do the work, they elevate everything and everyone around them. That’s Ixchel Frierson. Four years ago, she stepped into our world and immediately brought more intention, clarity and heart to the way we operate. She’s the pulse behind so much of what makes Level flow: an operations genius, creative strategist, thought partner and grounding force who keeps us aligned with our mission. Beyond her brilliance, she’s pure light - community-driven, deeply human and the kind of teammate you hold close. Here’s to Ixchel - my right hand, my right brain and a vital part of the Level story. When one of us wins, we all win. Happy work anniversary, boo. We’re just getting started. ✨

Nikoa Milton Gulstone said what she said and we couldn’t agree more! 🙌🏽

Sometimes the best conversations start with a simple ask. Anthony Codispoti, host of The Inspired Stories Podcast, reached out to Nikoa Milton Gulstone to share Level’s journey and her mission of creating access to capital for Black women entrepreneurs. What followed was an honest, powerful exchange about leadership, equity, and why building community is the key to real change. Big gratitude to Anthony for the invitation and for holding space for this conversation. 🙏🏾 Tap into the full episode to get inspired and let this be your reminder: stories have the power to shift what’s possible. https://lnkd.in/edcBAVEX #InspiredStories #AccessToCapital #BlackWomenLead #CommunityIsTheKey

Our Women’s Equity Circle (WEC) starts September 11th! Our signature 10-week experience unites Black and non-Black women to learn the truth about the racial wealth gap, examine systemic inequality, and take real action by investing in a Black woman entrepreneur. You'll walk away more informed, more connected, and more committed to change. Want more info? Visit our FAQs page: https://lnkd.in/eRB9RkC6 Considering joining us? Here's the application link: https://lnkd.in/eNWSX_cE Deadline to apply is approaching fast!

We value relationships that are based on action, such as showing up, speaking the truth, and uniting to transform culture and ignite genuine change. When we say that we support one another, we truly mean it. #FriendshipInAction #PowerOfConnection #CommunityThatMoves #LevelWomen #SolidarityIsStrength #WeMoveTogether