Bernadette Hamilton-Reidis Sankofa Bookkeeping Financial Literacy for Blak Women Founders

ForbesBLK released its #ForbesBLK50 Money Masters list highlighting the most prominent Black funders in venture capital, private equity and private credit. But even among this cohort, gaps in income, risk tolerance and access to capital continue to limit Black women’s representation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emNHW9xY (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)

ForbesBLK released its #ForbesBLK50 Money Masters list highlighting the most prominent Black funders in venture capital, private equity and private credit. But even among this cohort, gaps in income, risk tolerance and access to capital continue to limit Black women’s representation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emNHW9xY (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)

ForbesBLK released its #ForbesBLK50 Money Masters list highlighting the most prominent Black funders in venture capital, private equity and private credit. But even among this cohort, gaps in income, risk tolerance and access to capital continue to limit Black women’s representation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emNHW9xY (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)

Every year there’s a list. A Black list. A Women list. A Black Women list. Some list. Then there’s a disappointing, yet realistic, statistic to accompany the list. While the systemic and other factors that influence these statistics are nuanced, multi-layered and may not be fixed in our lifetime, how much change does this list make? Does it add any value? If we use the everyday Black Woman for example, how can she benefit from a list such as this one? Yes, it’s great and inspiring for her to see someone like Mellody Hobson but there’s also the reminder that she may never get there. I don’t have a solution to fix what’s broken but I do want to offer the importance of highlighting or placing more emphasis on women that are moving, growing, or “on their way”. Not only highlighting those who have arrived to a certain status or level. Women don’t pursue opportunities such as promotion because most times they don’t see someone that looks like them at the next/higher levels. Perhaps if we highlight women across the pipeline we will see a change and have a list we can truly be proud of. A list that can impact the everyday Black Woman. As I share my thoughts, I’m certainly open to other’s on this topic as well.

ForbesBLK released its #ForbesBLK50 Money Masters list highlighting the most prominent Black funders in venture capital, private equity and private credit. But even among this cohort, gaps in income, risk tolerance and access to capital continue to limit Black women’s representation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emNHW9xY (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)

Remember in 2024 when black women rallied around Kamala Harris for that historic “Win With Black Women” zoom call and raised about $1.5M within hours??? That’s the power of black women. That’s what happens when we come together and move with intention. Now imagine if we applied that same energy to funding our own. Here’s the reality: startups led by black women receive well under 1% of total U.S. VC investment. Under 1%!!!!! That’s absolutely pathetic! And I know this firsthand. Black women are building incredible platforms like SEELAH™, Greenlight Yourself, and Callo. And those are just a few I’ve been introduced to. Like me, each of these women is unwavering in her vision and commitment to entrepreneurship, yet we remain dramatically underfunded when it comes to access to capital. The talent is undeniable. The innovation is real. The funding is what is missing. But we already know this. We’ve talked about it. We’ve posted about it. But, what is the actual solution? What are WE going to do about it? No one is coming to save us. Historically, black women have built without safety nets, without institutional backing, without access to generational capital. This moment is no different. So I am asking a real question… What if we created our own system? I keep running the numbers over and over in my mind. To raise $1M, we need 5000 black women to invest $200 each. That’s it. One founder fully funded at $1M dollars. But then, we rotate.  We pay it forward. We build equity in each other’s businesses at the ground level. Y’all this could be transformative. We could help founders launch, scale, and hire. We could create ownership. Generational Wealth. Leverage. I don’t have every detail figured out. But I know this much: WAITING IS NOT A STRATEGY. This is not a pyramid scheme. It’s an intentional economic strategy to circulate capital within our community and help scale companies led by black women. We all know this truth. When black women get behind something, change happens. So, if this existed, would you participate? Would you invest? Would you help build it? I’m genuinely asking this because I’m SO serious about creating real change. Who’s with me?

Last week, Black Women of Long Island convened a sold-out Power Dining Experience, gathering some of the most accomplished Black women and allies across sectors — executives, attorneys, physicians, superintendents, political leaders, founders, and Fortune 500 professionals — for an intentional evening of dialogue and connection. Most importantly, we had the distinguished opportunity to celebrate former White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre. This work sits at the intersection of Black Women of Long Island and Black Women in Media . Our mission is clear: to elevate and highlight Black women who are shaping industries, influencing policy, leading institutions, and redefining representation in real time. We are not interested in proximity for optics. We are interested in visibility, access, and alignment. Black Women of Long Island was founded to create a regional infrastructure for professional Black women — a space where achievement is recognized, leadership is affirmed, and influence is shared across disciplines. Long Island is home to extraordinary Black women whose impact often extends nationally and globally. Our responsibility is to ensure they are not operating in isolation. The Power Dining Experience reflects that mandate. When women across law, healthcare, education, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service sit at one table, conversations shift. Networks expand. Opportunities compound. That is the work. As a 501(c)(6) chamber of commerce, Black Women of Long Island is building an ecosystem — not just events, but sustained platforms for economic mobility, strategic partnerships, and executive visibility. The recap captures a moment. The mission extends far beyond it. Membership announcements will be shared soon. If you are a Black woman leading on Long Island — or know one who should be in this room — connect with us.

About a year ago, I realized that my real passion lay in advising small businesses and I wanted to learn how to invest in them. Since joining BII, I have been inspired by the many ways we support entrepreneurs in our community and those, in particular, that have lacked access to the type of finance and wrap-around supports that meet their needs. Shout out to our technical assistance team, Samalid Hogan, Walther Morales Rios, and Keyur Patel, for the great ways you support our entrepreneurs. See Samalid's blog post below highlighting some of the programs we offer including Accelerate Your Impact and GreenEdge Accelerator. I'm excited to continue building the enabling environment to foster the success of our entrepreneurs. 

Continuing our Everyday Legacy series, we’re spotlighting Black entrepreneurship and leadership. Supporting Black economic leadership isn’t seasonal; it’s essential. Black entrepreneurs build businesses, create employment, and strengthen communities. We also recognize the importance of platforms and networks that increase visibility and circulate economic opportunity. In this Everyday Legacy spotlight, we’re highlighting: • Black Owned Toronto—An Instagram-based directory increasing visibility for Black-owned businesses in the GTA. • Black & Indigenous Owned Bookstores (Canada & U.S.)—A curated list supporting independent bookstores centering Black and Indigenous authors. https://lnkd.in/efKfWS_b • Ode Hotel—A Black family-run hotel grounded in hospitality and community connection. • Cobella Financial Inc. Financial — A Black-led financial services firm supporting Canadian business owners with accessible bookkeeping, advisory, and tax support. • Project Agape — A Black-led, Black-serving and survivor-led non-profit supporting the wellness, safety, and care of Black survivors through education and community programs. • Jonah Events & Experiences — A Toronto-based event company producing community-centred marketplaces and curated experiences. • Scantlebury Law — A Toronto-based law firm advancing accessible employment and real estate legal services. • CQ Business Consulting Inc. — A consulting firm supporting organizations with strategy, research, and planning to strengthen equitable economic opportunity. Economic justice requires visibility, investment, and sustained commitment. Support Black-owned businesses this month and beyond. These spotlights are shared to celebrate and increase visibility. They are not endorsements but an invitation to discover these and other Black-owned businesses and organizations doing meaningful work in their communities.

We’re proud to spotlight Zainab C. Williams, CFP®, a York University alum whose work is reshaping how women access financial clarity, confidence, and control. A Certified Financial Planner, Zainab is the founder of Elleverity Wealth Management and FundEvolve; two platforms rooted in the belief that financial strategies should always put people’s best interests first. Through her work, she helps women plan for their financial future, build lasting wealth, and make informed decisions without pressure or confusion. In Part 1 of our two-part spotlight, Zainab shares her journey from York University to financial leadership and reflects on navigating the industry as a Black woman entrepreneur.