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Reflecting on Progress and Advancing Equity
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At Forward Cities, we believe that true progress is rooted in understanding and embracing our shared history. Each year, Juneteenth provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the past, and to honor the generations of Black leaders, activists, and individuals who fought tirelessly for freedom and justice.
We hope you experienced a meaningful Juneteenth celebration filled with joy, reflection, and renewed determination and encourage you to continue to engage in educational activities that amplify Black voices and contributions in June and beyond.
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Black Wall Street Forward at Leading Locally 2023
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Forward Cities' Fay Horwitt, President & CEO, and Magalie Yacinthe, Director of Ecosystem Engagement, had the wonderful opportunity to join Lynette Bell, President at the Truist Foundation, in Denver, Colorado for Leading Locally 2023: The Power of Place-Based and Community Philanthropy.
Their session, Catalyzing Black-Centric Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, delved into the transformative impact of the Black Wall Street Forward initiative that convened and catalyzed Black business owners, local leaders, and entrepreneur champions in five North Carolina communities. Black Wall Street Forward models how funders and national organizations can partner to create space for local communities to envision and chart their own path toward an equitable economy and attendees were invited to learn from this model how centering Black leadership and networks can catalyze narrative change to create more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Hosted by Council on Foundations, the event delivered an informative, engaging, and energizing experience designed to develop practical skills and connections with sessions centered around three themes, addressing the ways we Strengthen, Build, and Love our communities. Topics centered around ideas such as the latest trends and analysis on place-based work, collaboration among foundations or across sectors, especially through unlikely partnerships, and effectively applying a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to the work.
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Igniting Growth with E3 Durham
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E3 Durham is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in the Durham, NC community. We created the E3 Durham Business Directory to shine a spotlight on E3 Durham small businesses and provide them with a platform to reach a broader audience and connect with their fellow community members. All throughout June, we’ve been highlighting each of the small businesses listed on the directory on the E3 Durham Instagram. Take a look at some of the recent posts!
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Industry News, Reports, Best Practices
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The BLK BIZ SUMMIT will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, from 10 am -4 pm at the Chesterfield Center located at 701 West Main Street inDurham, NC 27701. The theme for this one-day summit is FINANCIAL FREEDOM / BLK EMPLOYEE TO BLK ENTREPRENEUR.
Join us as we explore the concept of liberation economics and how it can be used to create economic freedom and empowerment for Black Founders as we build a new Black Wall Street. Explore options for creating aside hustle, starting a business, and find out what quitting your day job looks like as a full-time business owner.
Expect a lively and engaging day of STRATEGIC DOING, filled with energetic, information-packed, action sessions and engaging conversation about strategies for financial growth, developing mental wealth, as well as marketing yourself and your brand to generate more opportunities and revenue streams. Entrepreneurs will meet resource partners, economic funders, and engage with marketing techniques during the event. Expect to branch out online and in person to build a sustainable network of resources to create a prosperous business.
The Summit is curated by Give it to the People® and will be hosted by NC's #1 Small Business Facilitator, Chisa Pennix-Brown aka LadyBizness. Sponsored by Durham Technical Community College Small Business Center.
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“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.”
– John Lewis
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We are committed to ensuring equity for every entrepreneur, in every community. Please consider a gift to support our work.
Thank you!
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