Ariel Alternatives’ Post

You ever wonder why the Edward Blum’s of the world are coming for organizations like Fearless Fund and Hello Alice which provide funding for Black entrepreneurs? Here’s why. Entrepreneurship is the #1 wealth creator in the world. Not home ownership. Not 401Ks, savings accounts nor life insurance. Not even inheritance. Entrepreneurship. By targeting Black entrepreneurship, conservative forces in this country see an opportunity to freeze inequality in place. To stamp out racial and economic progress so that the scales remain imbalanced and those on the margins, despite their growing numbers, continue to “know their place”. Well, at BIA, we know our place… and it’s in the arena with Black entrepreneurs who are scrapping every day to get a fair shot at the American Dream. We refuse to go backwards. Join the Clapback movement today!  https://lnkd.in/gJFeANCR #BIAClapBack #blackentrepreneurs #digitaleconomy #ecommerce #BlackEconomicPower #BlackInnovators #BlackInnovationAlliance #FearlessFund #HelloAlice

How can we deepen the impact of Black-led organizations? New Profit, Echoing Green and Ballmer Group are hoping to bring an important conversation to #SXSW — exploring how to unlock capital for Black social innovators and reimagine systems of opportunity. Vote it up here: https://bit.ly/47qnvt6

Our core values are what sets us apart. We're not just building an organization; we're crafting a movement. Working tirelessly to connect, convene, and catalyze resources for Black communities, our mission is clear: prosperity, growth, and thriving for all. #EDABC #BuildingBlackWealth

Wealth management still has great strides to make when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion. We'll continue to report on the work being done there. But for Black History Month, we're honoring the pioneers who took those crucial first steps. Great work by Tobias Salinger for spearheading this project, as well as Dan Shaw, Nathan Place and Cat Auer. #wealthmanagement #dei #blackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth2024

Thanks Wellington Management Private Investing for having me as the speaker for over 100+ of your team members. Discussion on entrepreneurship, venture investing, diversity in tech and so more. I enjoyed the thoughtful questions and discussions. Cc: Van Jones , Ahmed Ismail, CFA

Offering a revolution in Black business financing, this book centers the entrepreneur and responds to the systemic failures surrounding Black wealth building. There is a huge racial wealth gap in America today. Owning a business is one of the best ways to build wealth—but entrepreneurs need capital. And investing in Black companies is obstructed by systemic racism and implicit biases that continue to create barriers to success. Merging historical information and data, along with tactical examples and explanations, this practical guide shows us what needs to be done in order to change the way we support Black companies and how we think about wealth. Norwood calls for investors to move away from extractive, individualistic, exploitative approaches to capital and entrepreneurship. She asks us to move toward transformational, restorative, regenerative, and interdependent relationships to repair the impacts of systemic racism. Investors, large and small, need to say to Black business owners, “we believe in you.” With an entrepreneur-centric approach, Believe-In-You Money challenges the system failure surrounding Black companies. It’s a guide on how Black entrepreneurs can be supported in sustainable ways and offers a shift in the way we think about who can be an investor, while aiming to change our personal relationships with money. #YesWeInvest #WeAreSustainable https://lnkd.in/gHsKyBbP

📢 Explore the ongoing advocacy for empowering Black entrepreneurs! Our latest article delves into the ongoing advocacy for empowering Black entrepreneurs beyond Black History Month. Let's keep the momentum going together. Read more: https://shorturl.at/fkIQZ  #CloseTheWealthGap

As we reflect on MLK's legacy and commemorate #MartinLutherKingJr day, we must remember that his dream extended beyond racial equality. By recognizing and supporting Black entrepreneurship, we honor MLK's vision of #economicempowerment and create a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood the interconnectedness of civil rights and economic empowerment. He recognized that achieving true equality required breaking down barriers not only in social and political spheres but also in economic opportunities. MLK envisioned an inclusive society where individuals of all races could thrive economically, free from discrimination and systemic barriers.   For more, check out this recent report that we published supported by LegalZoom – Empowering Excellence: Building Ecosystems for Black Entrepreneurs. https://lnkd.in/eQvFjsUS

Kauffman Foundation Explores “How to Rebuild Black Wall Street For Us All” at South by Southwest - [vc_video link="https://lnkd.in/gdPWceDk"] More than a century has passed since the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, an event that marked the destruction of the affluent Greenwood District, famously known as "Black Wall Street," by white mobs in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following this dark chapter, Black business districts across the nation faced disruption and decline, grappling with systemic barriers that hindered Black entrepreneurs from accessing essential resources such as capital, knowledge, and networks needed for success. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue and ensuring inclusivity in entrepreneurship, we engaged a panel of experts in a discussion at the renowned South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, in March 2022. Led by Philip Gaskin, the Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, the panel delved into critical questions about the historical prosperity of Black business districts, the factors hindering their resurgence, and actionable steps to support a revitalization that benefits entrepreneurs of color and strengthens entire economies. The panel explored the historical context, acknowledging the thriving Black business districts during times of segregation and Jim Crow. The discussion highlighted the need for systemic change, emphasizing not only access to capital but also access to knowledge and a broader understanding of the significance of business in generating wealth. Insights from panelists such as Karen Freeman-Wilson, Melissa Harris-Perry, and Neo Frank emphasized the impossibility of replicating Black Wall Street in today's fully integrated society. Instead, they emphasized the importance of reimagining what success looks like for Black business owners in the 21st century. Melissa Harris-Perry underscored the distinction between wealth and income, noting that addressing the wealth gap requires more than individual efforts. Neo Frank called for a paradigm shift that recognizes Black brilliance, creativity, and ingenuity, advocating for policies that level the playing field by increasing access to opportunity, funding, knowledge, and support. In conclusion, the panel emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative approach involving policymakers, private industry, and philanthropy to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. The goal is to foster a more inclusive future that celebrates Black excellence and contributes to the overall economic empowerment of communities across the nation. Original Source (Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation)   https://lnkd.in/gWCW2QKR