ChicoSTART’s Post

Redefining Flow as Village & Legacy Work IRL Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to give an activation talk about my journey with racial affinity work with leaders of ventures funded by NewSchools. ⚡️ This experience amplified the 6-year journey I’ve been on to build BIPOC communities. The impact of this journey has helped me clarify my boundaries, especially related to my capacity and energy for the spaces I want to be in, belong to, work within, and build. The result is two BIPOC community spaces that I’m building in public: 1. DEI Potluck with Emily Roh 🍽️ 2. Changemaker Mamas of Color Summer Camp 😎 Just days before, I had a coaching session with Erin Corine Johnson, who encouraged me to consider the self-sustaining skills that fall under two categories: 1) village work and 2) legacy work, based on my definition of both. Imagine the Justice & Joy of showing up to hold affinity space for BIPOC educational entrepreneurs and experiencing the intersectional flow of my village and legacy work in action. The gift of it all - Andrew Vega and Dorenyse Díaz reflecting the joy of laughter coming from the room and a participant texting the positive impact of how I held the space. 💝 I am also celebrating that this paid gig is the first business transaction for Lovelution Lab, the next evolution in business for yours truly. 🥳 In my lovelution sphere, this is Intentional Justice. Are you passionate about creating and supporting BIPOC communities? I'd love for you to join the conversation. 💕 Share your thoughts and experiences on village and legacy work in the comments below. Let's co-create a future where community care and legacy building are at the forefront. 🌟 In Lovelution... P.S. Are you curious about how I define village and legacy work? Join the Justice & Joy newsletter droppin' tomorrow directly to your inbox! 💌 Link in comments.

CoBuilders is a partnership-enabled initiative that would not be possible without the support and efforts of our eight partners spread across the state of Mississippi. These esteemed partners include the Oxford/Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, Higher Purpose Co., Mississippi State University E-Center, The Community Development Foundation, JSU/The Bean Path, MSU E-Center Vicksburg, Mississippi Polymer Institute, and The Meeting Place. Together, our partners host a regional pitch event where a minimum of $7,500 in cash prizes is awarded. Entrepreneurs selected to pitch at these events are automatically considered for inclusion in the main cohort. This main cohort consists of up to 10 companies, each receiving a minimum of $25,000 in the form of a SAFE investment. Moreover, participants benefit from invaluable mentorship and gain access to resources that significantly enhance their entrepreneurial journey. https://bit.ly/3GlDNYp

Today we are sharing a short resource in honor of August's #BlackBusinessMonth initially published in February by Enterprise Community Partners: ✊🏾 5 Ways to Support Your Community’s Black-Owned Businesses. In the words of Angela Hurlock, CEO of Claretian Associates, in South Chicago, who is advocating for placemaking and affordable homeownership to support neighborhood-based entrepreneurship, it looks like: -access -capital -education "What’s notable about South Chicago’s small business strategy is the link to a broader place-based approach...That means efforts to promote Black-owned businesses and advance workforce development align with ongoing efforts by Claretian and partners to prevent displacement by developing affordable homes for rent and ownership and revitalizing open spaces and community facilities to create healthy recreational opportunities." 🔗https://lnkd.in/evgJtWUQ

Entrepreneurs in the West Phoenix Valley, if you are trying to start a small business come to the presentation tonight at the Goodyear Innovation Hub. Learn how SCORE Mentors can help you get your business up and running. Hope to see you there!

"Rock the Polls: Empowering the Black Community to Vote on National Black Voter Day!" In the heart of Miami, as entrepreneurs, let's take a moment to appreciate the power of unity and action. The recent collaborative campaign, "Your Voice, Your Vote," initiated by BET Media Group, National Urban League, NAACP, and other partners, has stirred the winds of consciousness in our society. This powerful alliance prior to National Black Voter Day on September 20th was not just a wave but a tide ready to turn the course, raising awareness on the importance of voter registration. Such inspiration teaches us more than the importance of right to vote - it tells us that, like a hive full of bees, we can produce more honey working together than apart. Imagine Miami's flourishing ecosystem of creativity and innovation fruiting into startups that can change the world, one idea at a time. Recall the strength in unity we've witnessed and ask ourselves: Are we empowering our communities, fueling innovative thought, supporting each other in our entrepreneurial journeys? Let's use our voices to create values, craft opportunities and support growth. Visit our website, share your thoughts, join our upcoming events and be part of our collective mission to foster a prosperous entrepreneurial community in Miami. After all, just like every vote counts, so does every voice in shaping our future. #Unity #Entrepreneurship #MiamiEntrepreneurship #CommunityEngagement #VoicesCount

Do you have the support and community you need for the journey you are on? The past year has taught me the true power of conscious, cultivated and intentional community spaces and the immense impact it creates. I've always loved the saying "it takes a village to raise a child" and I know the argument has been made that starting a business is like having a baby or raising a child. So it begs the question, do you have a village to help you grow your business? Both in my work as a founder and my work within men's work, this past year has shown me another, much deeper level of support that exists within the right communities. The "right" community being the important part. Because there is plenty of distractions out there. Not an echo chamber, not a bunch of folks nodding their heads and agreeing with everything you say. Find your people that are in it with you, know what it's like to stand in the fire, be held accountable and will push one another to dig deeper and keep going. Traverse City is stepping up in big ways and there is an amazing, quickly growing core group of humans dedicated to disrupting traditional business happy hours and networking. Instead, opting to truly ask, what do I need? What does my community need? The growth of the Michigan Founders Fund TC Chapter is proof of that. Hats off to Broc Crandall, Chase Bonhag, Josh Hart AIS, ASLI, AU 💭 for leading the charge. All of it is built on the ethos of walking through the fire that is the journey of building a business and a desire look back and extend a real helping hand to those who are starting to walk their own path. Thanks for the sweet video nick beadleston!

Today we’re sitting down with Michigan’s Chief Innovation Officer and key leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation this week to discuss the future of Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the state. 🤎 Our goal is simple: partnership, transparency, and real action that ensures the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Michigan includes us, supports our growth and breaks down barriers to success. This meeting is a crucial step in making Michigan the premier destination for diverse tech talent and businesses. To our BTS community and Black and Brown Founders especially those born and raised in Detroit —who can’t be in the room today—we need your help. We are here advocating for opportunities for all of us. If you’ve attended a Black Tech Saturday or are a Black or Brown founder in Michigan,a community member, or support our mission, please share this post in solidarity and stand with us today. Your support makes all the difference. We are committed to: -Ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the steps we take. -Laying out a clear path for investment and resources for our community. -Securing our place in the vision for Michigan’s economic future. Expect updates and follow-ups—we are just getting started. This is only the beginning of a movement to make Michigan the best place to start and grow a business for EVERYONE! #BuildInTheState #BlackTechSaturdays #BlackFounders #DetroitFounders #MEDC #DiverseEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #MichiganTech #BIPOCInnovation #TOGETHERWECAN #strongertogether #champions

I'm excited for the world to see what happens when you bring people together who move with Purpose and Intention. Looking forward to joining you all shortly for a meeting that will move Mountains! ~ 🚀 Exciting News for Michigan's Future! 🚀 We are thrilled to announce that we’re sitting down with Michigan’s Chief Innovation Officer and key leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation this week to discuss the future of Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the state. 🖤🤝🏾 Our goal is simple: partnership, transparency, and real action that ensures the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Michigan includes us, supports our growth and breaks down barriers to success. This meeting is a crucial step in making Michigan the premier destination for diverse tech talent and businesses. 🌟 To our Black Tech Saturdays community—who can’t be in the room today—we need your help. We are here advocating for opportunities for all of us. If you’ve attended a Black Tech Saturday, are a community member, or support our mission, please share this post in solidarity and stand with us today. Your support makes all the difference. We are committed to: 💡 Ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the steps we take. 💼 Laying out a clear path for investment and resources for our community. 🚀 Securing our place in the vision for State of Michigan’s economic future. Expect updates and follow-ups—we are just getting started. This is only the beginning of a movement to make Michigan the best place to start and grow a business for EVERYONE! 🏙️💼 #BuildInTheState #BlackTechSaturdays #MEDC #DiverseEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #MichiganTech #BIPOCInnovation #TOGETHERWECAN #strongertogether #champions

🔊Calling All PR Founders of Color & Ecosystem Builders! Through a future-forward lens, the Black Tech Public Relations Society stands with organizations that are leading the charge in helping diverse entrepreneurs secure capital – which includes those working in the public relations industry as well. Additionally, many professionals in the BTPRS community work closely with diverse founders in the tech space – and it's crucial that support also extends toward the growth of clients and their ability to scale. The Center for American Entrepreneurship and Engine | Advocacy & Foundation are asking founders and ecosystem builders to sign a letter urging policymakers to pass two crucial pieces of legislation: ☑️ Community Development Investment Tax Credit Act: Boosts investment in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). ☑️ Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act: Increases the size and number of accredited investors in 3(c)(1) funds to diversify the investor base and get more capital to diverse entrepreneurs. Join us in calling on Congress to act – and create more opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs to grow. 🟣 Add your name by Friday, June 21st – and share this with your network to amplify the call to action. Sign Here: https://bit.ly/3Rv1kvm #founders #publicrelations #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #tech

🌐 Introducing "Bloom the Block" 🌐 We are thrilled to share the launch of a meaningful initiative aimed at empowering our local community in Queens, New York City - "Project Bloom the Block"! 🚀 We're the passionate founders behind Bloom the Block - Pema Yatsang, Aaliyah Lightfoot, and Genessis Valencia. At Bloom the Block, our mission is simple yet powerful: Empower and uplift our local community by providing free, quality marketing services to local businesses. Through our dedication to fostering growth, driving visibility, and fostering connections, we aim to contribute to the sustainable success of local businesses, strengthening the fabric of our community and promoting economic vitality. In a world where digital presence is crucial for success, many small businesses face challenges in navigating the complexities of online marketing. With Bloom the Block, we aim to bridge this gap, supporting and amplifying the voices of our local entrepreneurs. Our vision extends beyond just marketing - it's about building connections, sparking growth, and cultivating resilience within our community. By providing these services free of charge, we hope to remove barriers and pave the way for long-term success. Join us on this journey to blossom together! Whether you're a local business owner seeking support or someone passionate about giving back to your community, your involvement is invaluable. Let's unite to Bloom the Block and create a brighter future for Queens, New York City! 🌟 #BloomTheBlock #QueensNYC #CommunityEmpowerment #DigitalMarketingForAll