Southern Black Girls Announces New Investment Program For Entrepreneurs

The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) has launched the Dream Investment Program to empower Black girls and women entrepreneurs across the South. 

The Dream Investment Program

This initiative will support 25 current and aspiring business owners with financial investments, training, and mentorship, in partnership with Kindred Futures and supported by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation.

“This program is a dream come true,” LaTosha Brown, Founder of Southern Black Girls, said in a press statement. “It’s about giving Black girls and women the resources and opportunities they need to build thriving businesses in supportive environments.”

“Partnering on this program felt natural,” added Kim Addie, Vice President of Strategy & Impact at Kindred Futures.  “We’re not just providing funding; we’re creating a community of support to help these businesses grow and succeed.”

Closing the Resource Gap

Black women entrepreneurs face major challenges in accessing funding. Research shows that Black women and girls receive less than 1% of philanthropic investments in the South, averaging just $5.48 per person. 

Southern Black Girls aims to change this by raising $100 million over the next decade. 

So far, the organization has distributed $10.2 million to 250 Black women-led organizations and nearly $409,000 to 800 girls through its #BlackGirlJoy Challenge.

The Dream Investment Program continues this work by providing practical tools, education, and support to help entrepreneurs create sustainable businesses. 

Applications for the program open from November 1 through November 30, 2024.

Feature Image Credit: Pop Culture Collaborative