In August and year-round, WBENC celebrates Black Business Month and Black female business owners! During this month, we spotlight and honor the growth and economic impact of Black entrepreneurship as we continually support and advocate for Black Women Owned businesses. WBENC is dedicated to creating more spaces for Black entrepreneurs to grow their brand and make meaningful connections through a dynamic network.
WBENC is showcasing some of the MANY programs within the WBENC network that present opportunities for Black-owned businesses to build community, have access to capital, and create wealth. With the help of our corporate members, WBEs, and sponsors, WBENC is able to bolster the voices and visions of Black Women Owned businesses and promote social and economic change nationwide. The programs provided through WBENC and partners range from in-person to virtual events that acknowledge the challenges black-owned businesses face and refocus on solutions that drive their business to success.
WBENC Women of Color Program
The 2022 Women of Color programs take place each 2nd Tuesday of the month, with additional special sessions throughout the year. We launched the WBENC Women of Color Program in 2017 to further create an effective and successful business ecosystem designed to engage, advise and drive the growth of women of color women-owned businesses.
“Having the opportunity to meet other women business owners has been a great experience. It is refreshing and therapeutic to know that some of the issues I face as a CEO, I am not facing alone. I love the community, the collaboration, and the sisterhood. I greatly appreciate WBENC for engaging, supporting, and uplifting women-owned business!” – Tamekia Flowers-Ball, CEO and Chief Visionary of Epiphany Blue
WBENC Women of Color Incubator Program
The WBENC Women of Color Incubator is a premier program designed for Black female student entrepreneurs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This incubator provides the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs with the resources, community and support they need to strengthen their idea and grow their early-stage ventures.
WBENC Allyship Program
Morgan Stanley’s Small Business Academy is an educational program that seeks to promote equity and empower diverse-owned small-business leaders. The Academy consists of a 12-week virtual, instructor-facilitated learning experience, followed by a yearlong mentorship program.
JP Morgan Chase Diverse Supplier Grant Initiative
Morgan Stanley’s Small Business Academy is an educational program that seeks to promote equity and empower diverse-owned small-business leaders. The Academy consists of a 12-week virtual, instructor-facilitated learning experience, followed by a yearlong mentorship program.
Ascend National Cohort
WBENC Corporate Members JPMorgan Chase, Target, T-Mobile and UPS serve as Opportunity Partners and EY serves as a Resource Partner.
By 2024 the Ascend National Cohort will grow 100 businesses owned by people of color toward the middle-market. The Ascend National Cohort’s unique M3 model melds increased access to Markets through contracting opportunities, Management skills development through business mentoring, coaching and education from three nationally ranked business schools and access to Money through loans and investments.
Black-Owned Beauty Brands at Target
The Workshop at Macy’s 
The Workshop at Macy’s is the retail industry’s longest running vendor development program dedicated exclusively to diverse -, Women -, LGBTQ-, and veteran-owned businesses. Macy’s selects high potential applicants and provide the tools they need to better succeed and sustain growth through one-on-one education from Macy’s, Inc.’s top executives.
We know that there are increasingly more and more programs to support, celebrate and accelerate the growth of Black-owned businesses, including Black Women Owned Businesses. We applaud everyone who is contributing to these efforts and want to see even more initiatives!
