How Black women tech entrepreneurs face unique funding challenges

Career Love LLC, founded by career coach Mercedes Swan, is launching a free online community to help Black women laid off from their jobs access support, training, and mentorship. “Black women are tired of surviving systems and spaces that weren’t built for us. We deserve more. [...] This space is our way of offering hope, direction, and inspiration for a better future.” 🔗 https://buff.ly/XVVIGJ9

Career Love LLC, founded by career coach Mercedes Swan, is launching a free online community to help Black women laid off from their jobs access support, training, and mentorship. “Black women are tired of surviving systems and spaces that weren’t built for us. We deserve more. [...] This space is our way of offering hope, direction, and inspiration for a better future.” 🔗 https://buff.ly/XVVIGJ9

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. Studies show that 78% of Black women entrepreneurs see mentorship and peer networks as the most critical factor in their success especially for young mothers balancing business and family. When we mentor, share resources, and uplift one another, we’re not just building businesses—we’re building legacies.

📍Where Are Black Women Thriving? This recent Travel Noire article breaks down the best and worst U.S. cities and states for Black women to live, thrive, and build generational wealth — based on factors like income, healthcare access, safety, and career opportunities. Not surprisingly, cities like Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Charlotte rank high for professional Black women, thanks to growing economic mobility, strong cultural communities, and increasing support for Black entrepreneurship. At the same time, the report is a reminder that systemic inequities still shape the lived experiences of Black women across the U.S. — making inclusive policy, equitable access, and intentional placemaking more important than ever. 📰 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dX8JiPBu #BlackWomenInLeadership #EquityInCommunity #TravelNoireInsights #BlackExcellence #PlaceMatters #InclusiveGrowth

This analysis raises critical points about equity and inclusion. Still, it’s striking that Illinois, cities like Chicago, did not populate enough data to be placed within either category; not a city/state where challenges persist, but not a city/state creating a pathway for our success either. Black women here face systemic challenges that mirror and sometimes magnify national trends. We can’t move toward true inclusion without centering every region where Black women are striving for equity and opportunity. Very insightful read.

New publication alert! Excited to share new research on Black women's wealth experiences. During this critical time when our voices are being silenced, misrepresented and just straight out ignored. I think it is critical to center us, hear from us and not assume our desires through dominate definitions and frameworks that do not benefit us....but instead exploit us. I'm honored to announce the publication of "Black Women's Experiences With Wealth Accumulation: We Cannot Quantify What We Do Not Qualify" in Urban Social Work, co-authored with my mentor Dr. Selena T. Rodgers. Key insights from our study: Through semi-structured deep interviews with 13 Black women heads of households across the U.S., we found that traditional wealth metrics miss critical dimensions of how Black women define and pursue prosperity. Why this matters: 70% of Black households are headed by Black women, yet current wealth research frameworks often exclude their lived experiences. By centering Black women's voices through Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth model, we reveal how dominant definitions of wealth fail to capture the multidimensional nature of economic security in Black communities. This research calls for a paradigm shift in how we measure, study, and support wealth accumulation among Black women and their families. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e258uWdD #BlackWomen #WealthGap #SocialWork #QualitativeResearch #EconomicJustice #CommunityWealthBuilding

According to @foundersforum 2.3% of funding went to female-only founding teams in 2024 while 83.6% went to all-male founding teams. This gap isn’t about talent, it’s about access. When we invest in Black women, we invest in innovation and community. The resources that benefit us usually benefits ALL. 💰📚

From humble beginnings in the Bronx to leading at the highest levels, Sharon Ehrlich’s story is proof that we don’t have to compromise our values to succeed. In this inspiring conversation, I sat down with Sharon to talk about how she navigated systemic challenges, broke through barriers, and built a career that’s both impactful and true to who she is. If you’ve ever wondered how to rise in your career without losing yourself, this episode is your blueprint. 🎧 Listen now 🔗 Buzzsprout: https://lnkd.in/eKJXKjNh 🔗 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eVnptaNM 📢 Re-share this with another Black woman who needs this reminder. ✨ Follow along for more conversations that center and celebrate Black women’s brilliance. #GettingBlackWomenPaid #GBWPPodcast #SharonEhrlich #CareerGrowth #BreakingBarriers #BlackWomenInLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #CareerValues #RepresentationMatters #FromTheBronxToTheBoardroom 🗓️ 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴�� 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘥. Because yes, I’m working during the day—and still building something big. I teach Black women how to do both (without burnout). DM me if you’re ready to move different. 🖤✨ #ClaimYours

The 2025 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Businesses report released inspirational stats that highlights the remarkable growth of Black women-owned businesses in recent years. Despite the strides achieved, Black women entrepreneurs still face barriers, and our members are powerfully stepping in to champion their success and expand opportunity. Learn more about Black women-owned businesses: https://shorturl.at/T70X7 #WomenSmallBusinessMonth #PowerofUs

Founder & CEO of Full Circle Strategies Jotaka Eaddy shares during Win With Black Women: Lessons in Digital Innovation how a collective moment on Zoom led to the platform expanding its capacity. When Black women showed up together, the technology shifted to meet them. It revealed what is already so clear to us: when Black women move, systems move too. ✨ #AFROTECH25