Strengthening the Ecosystem for Women of Color Entrepreneurs

We launched the WBENC Women of Color Program in 2017 to create an effective and successful business ecosystem designed to engage, advise and drive the growth of women of color women-owned businesses.

Since then, hundreds of women entrepreneurs have attended in-person and virtual sessions at WBENC events, designed to address the challenges faced by many women of color business owners and provide resources and programming to address those challenges.

 

PROGRAM DATES

The 2024 Women of Color programs take place each 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, as we’ve introduced our new Community Resource Groups!

View Calendar

LOCATION

Virtual

 

Women of Color LEGACY African American & Afro-Black Community Program
Networking & Engagement
Women of Color

The WBENC Women of Color LEGACY Community Resource Group is an outreach and development initiative dedicated to fostering a supportive ecosystem for African American, Afro, and Black women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Learn More
Women of Color TAPESTRY Asian American Community Program
Networking & Engagement
Women of Color

The WBENC Women of Color TAPESTRY Community Resource Group is an outreach and development initiative dedicated to fostering a supportive ecosystem for Asian American women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Learn More
Women of Color UNIDAS Hispanic and Latina Community Program
Networking & Engagement
Women of Color

The Women of Color UNIDAS Hispanic & Latina Community Program is an outreach and development program designed to build and strengthen a dynamic ecosystem for women of color entrepreneurs.

Learn More
Founding Sponsors
Women of Color Supporters
Upcoming Events
Program Details

The WBENC Women of Color (WOC) Program is cultivating a business ecosystem for women of color through seven program pillars:

  • Community Building: WOC is a tight-knit community, sharing resources for accelerating growth, strategizing to overcome problems, and meeting new customers.
  • Market Access: WOC identifies and leverages regional network areas that focus on the advancement and development of WOC businesses and connects them to the WOC community.
  • Resources: WOC provides support throughout the year with resources in education, support, leadership development, mentorship and provides materials to help strengthen and enhance WOC businesses’ capacity for doing business with corporations.
  • Human Capital: WOC empowers and advances women owned businesses by providing education, inspirational speakers, facilitators, consulting, trainings, subject experts, coaches, and more for aspiring WOC leaders. The program also connects women of color entrepreneurs to pipelines of talent and emphasizes the importance of developing their teams as their most valuable asset.
  • Innovation: WOC facilitates innovation and growth by building bridges with the next generation of women-led firms and entrepreneurs through partnerships with universities and the WBENC NextGen program.
  • Policy: WOC partners with government advocacy organizations including Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) to promote federal legislative priorities that are necessary for sustained women-owned business success.
  • Capital: WOC researches and communicates access to capital programs and other outside resources and opportunities for women entrepreneurs to the network on a regular basis
WOMEN OF COLOR RESOURCE LIBRARY
Beyond the Brand: Marketing Strategies and Persona Mapping for Success
Enhance your marketing strategies, attract and retain your ideal customers, and drive sustainable growth for your business.
Step Into Your Money: Financing Your Business With The Right Funding
Businesses are as individual as the founders who build them. And because businesses evolve and change over time to suit market conditions and customer demand, business owners should be prepared to capitalize their businesses with funding sources that are a fit for their business type, age, and size.
Black History Is OUR History
In February, WBENC Women of Color dives deep into the rich tapestry of stories, achievements, and undiscovered treasures in Black History. Prepare to embark on a journey through these sessions, uncovering hidden gems and celebrating unsung heroes whose impact has been profound yet not widely acknowledged.
Review, Reflect & Re-Energize
Women of Color introduces and dives deep into the impactful Community Resource Groups created to support our diverse WOC communities in 2024, reflect milestones and achievements that occurred in the past year, and re-energize ourselves for the year ahead.
Effectively Building Your Business Dream Team with Employees and Contractors
Whether you’re thinking about hiring employees or working with independent contractors, you will learn how to make strategic hiring decisions and explore the advantages of stepping into an employee role within your own business.
Strategies for Online Positioning and Boosting your Online Brand
During the session, you will explore effective strategies for positioning your brand online and reaching your target audience.
Strategies to Help Build Wealth
Strategies and tools to help you build wealth and achieve financial success. Brought to you by JPMorgan Chase.
Closing the Sale, presented by P&G
P&G NA Sales Capability Director Christy Demetrakis shares and guides you through the 5-step process for effectively selling your products, services and ideas.
Building Generational Wealth Through Succession Planning
Featuring Sabina Bhatia, CEO of Rose International, Meredith “Moe” Peguero, Executive Director and Banker for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, and Mike Thompson, President & CEO of Fair Oaks Foods and Michael J. Thompson, SVP Business Development of Fair Oaks Foods
The Great Resignation Era: Effectively Managing Your Business While Leading Employees
Featuring Sherry L. Darden, CEO of Sherry Darden Speaks.
Branding Basics for Small Businesses
Featuring Mari Milenkovic and Jessica Korthuis co-founders of Her Brand & Co.
Taking Flight – Creating & Executing a Successful Strategic Plan
Featuring Michelle B. Horn, Chief Strategy Officer at Delta Air Lines.
Effectively Scaling Your Business Through Mergers & Acquisitions
Featuring Frantz Alphonse, Senior Managing Director of Ariel Alternatives, LLC & Co-Founder of Project Black; Fred Royall, Managing Director- National Head of Diverse Businesses at JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Rich Dennis, Founder and Chairman of Essence Ventures,; and Ann Ramakumaran, CEO, Ampcus Inc.
How to Overcome Objections and Close that Sale!
Featuring Christy Demetrakis, North America Sales Capability Director for Procter & Gamble and President and Founder of The Empowered Speaker.
The Art of Influence
Featuring Cheryl Polote Williamson, an award-winning best-selling author, filmmaker, transformational speaker, philanthropist, and certified life coach.
Banking on Relationships
Featuring Thelma Ferguson of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lisa Dyson of Air Protein, and Mike Branch of Miss Jessie's
Ignite Your Company Success Through Storytelling
Featuring Renae Bluitt, Creator & Executive Producer of 'She Did That'
Brand Me: Creating Opportunity in Unprecedented Times
Featuring Melissa Dawn Simkins, CEO of Velvet Suite
How to Create the Breakthrough and the Life You Really Want
Featuring Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour
The New Normal$ For Female Entrepreneurs of Color
Featuring Stacey Tisdale, CEO of Mind Money Media Inc.
Who Should Participate

As an outreach and development program, the WBENC Women of Color program is open to all women business owners, including WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprises and those not yet certified.

If you are a female entrepreneur, but not yet certified by WBENC, attending a Women of Color program event is a great way to get a taste of the network.

We also invite all allies of women of color business owners to participate, including Corporate Members, WBEs or other partners.

Sign up to receive the latest WOC program events and opportunities.
Join Us
See upcoming events.
See events
Article . Interview . Success Story
Women of Color 2023 Incubator Pitch Competition 3rd Place Awardee: Miya Reddrick
Jun 18, 2024
Article . Interview . Success Story
Women of Color 2023 Incubator Pitch Competition 3rd Place Awardee: Priscilla Kini
May 31, 2024
Article . Interview . Success Story
Women of Color 2023 Incubator Pitch Competition 3rd Place Awardee: Kemi Karim
May 20, 2024
Article . Interview . Success Story
Women of Color 2023 Incubator Pitch Competition 1st Place Awardee: Lina Suber
May 3, 2024