Black Innovation Alliance

TIME magazine defines a Closer as a Black leader dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap. Dr. Kelly Burton, PhD , CEO of BIA, embodies that definition. At last week's TIME Closers Impact Dinner, Kelly took to the stage and emphasized the importance of the Closers list, highlighted BIA's achievements, and outlined the ongoing work ahead. “What an honor. I am so, so, so proud. We are so proud at Black Innovation Alliance? to serve as a Knowledge Partner for the Closer’s list. It's been an honor to walk alongside the TIME team from the inception of this concept and to see it come to fruition in this room. Founded in 2020, Black Innovation Alliance is a national coalition of organizations dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap through entrepreneurship and ownership. We were formed by a small group of ecosystem leaders, and today, BIA is 175 organizations strong. Yes. And they support over a half million entrepreneurs and innovators of color. In just three years, we've covered a lot of ground. We partnered with Congress to launch the Congressional Caucus on Black Innovation. We've partnered with UBS, the eBay Foundation, and others, some of whom are in this room, to launch the Decade of Black Innovation, launched a partnership with the Bahamas to drive entrepreneurship and innovation in climate tech. We've collaborated with the White House to connect communities of color to opportunities coming out of the federal government, and we've conducted the first ever study on digital entrepreneurship.” -? Kelly Burton, PhD Video credit: TIME #BlackInnovationAlliance

Closing the racial wealth gap starts with systemic change. These six organizations are breaking down barriers to wealth for Black and Brown communities: → Future In Color Institute → BIA (Black Innovation Alliance) → Common Future → Commonwealth → Operation HOPE → Urban Capital Network SWIPE ?? TO LEARN HOW!

If you’re heading to SXSW, you don’t want to miss this! Black Innovation Alliance is hosting an event at TheLightHouse: Library of the Future, presented by The Tech We Want and you’re invited! Why You Need to Be There: ? Lunch & Networking with top innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers ? Inspiring insights from Kelly Burton, PhD, CEO of BIA ? Big conversations on the future of Black innovation & how we grow together in 2025 and beyond ?? Saturday, March 8 ? 12 PM CT ?? Austin, TX Spots are limited, and this is the place to be if you’re serious about building, innovating, and making lasting connections. RSVP now before it’s too late! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/d-DpJ5CQ #SXSW #BlackInnovation #Networking #TheTechWeWant #BIAImpact #tech #austintexas #events #SXSW2025

This is a post that requires your participation in the comments. Because we’re ending this month on a high! This was a difficult Black history month. But on this last day of February, many of us are committing to support emerging, rising and small businesses. I want to share my short list of who to follow, support and check out. And I invite you to share yourself and others in the comments. 1. Check me, Kelly Burton, PhD and our Black Innovation Alliance squad on innovation podcast “From Chains to Links” https://chainstolinks.com/ (photo is us looking fierce ‘cause we mean business lol) 2. If you haven’t checked out my friend Amber Cabral’s show, Human(ing) Well, you’re missing out. Check it out https://lnkd.in/e5W2Apjz and also wherever podcasts live 3. The fires in Altadena impacted so many—but it feels like we’re not hearing directly from those who knew that area before the fires. My beautiful sister Arianne Edmonds is from there and has a book coming out by Oxford Press called “We Now Belong to Ourselves” chronicling her family’s creation of one of the first Black newspapers in the country, and the ongoing quest on Black people for full citizenship. Preorder https://lnkd.in/es5ppe72 4. And shoutout to the forever homie DeShuna Spencer who created www.dei.watch tracks the ongoing shifts on equity within corporations. 5. And then there are people you should follow because their journey and perspective matters. I’m gonna put three names, and you gimme three names India Fordham Leah Vernon RASHEDIA MAYHANE So you’re up! Who should we follow, support, hear from? And…go!

Friends, last week in NYC, trailblazers gathered at our first 2025 Friends of BIA event—the DOBI Impact Salon—to ignite real change. With Tiffany Cross and Colin Kaepernick dropping game-changing insights on empowering under-resourced entrepreneurs, the energy was off the charts. Friends of BIA is driving this movement, and we’re hitting the road—next stop, your city. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/de9EC3zs Got suggestions on where we should go next or who you’d like to see join us? Drop them in the comments. ???? #DOBIImpactSalon #FriendsOfBIA #Innovation #Entrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship #ColinKaepernick #TiffanyCross #BlackInnovationAlliance #BlackHistoryMonth

Got plans to be in Austin for SXSW? ?THE LIGHT HOUSE IS BACK! ?Come hang with us on Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9 at the Belmont in Austin, TX. The Tech We Want is presenting a full-day of tech changemakers and ideas for those of us building a more inclusive innovative future and Black Innovation Alliance will be in the house! And after the sun sets, bring out your inner star for an ?electrifying night ?at the LIGHTS OUT! Party. Get your tickets here: thelighthouse.ttww.us w Aniyia L. Williams Black Innovation Alliance

Hey LinkedIn Fam! ???? Are you headed to SXSW? Come hang out with me & the Black Innovation Alliance team as we convene together in The Light House Library of the Future — presented by The Tech We Want — a product by Omidyar Network! ?? We’ll be serving up lunch, engageing in inspiring conversations, meaningful networking, and exploring ways we can grow together in 2025. ?? Saturday, March 8 ? 12 PM CT ?? Austin, TX RSVP now to secure your spot! ??Link in the comments. I hope to see all my fellow changemakers there - See you soon! ?? #SXSW #BlackInnovationAlliance #TheLightHouse #Networking #TechForGood #InclusiveInnovation

"To truly fix something, you have to understand the mindset of those who designed the problem." -Ifeoma Ike For so many founders, entrepreneurship isn't just about innovation—it's about repairing broken systems, filling gaps, and creating what should have existed all along. That's double the work and double the mental load. So, how do you keep going without running yourself into the ground? Ifeoma Ike, Esq. explains that you must understand that it's a spiritual journey, and prioritizing your wellness is key to lasting success. Join Kelly Burton, PhD and Ifeoma Ike, Esq. for a discussion on what it really takes to thrive on this journey. Watch this full episode of "From Chains to Links" now on YouTube:?https://lnkd.in/efgaBwAe #BlackInnovationAlliance?#BIA?#BlackInnovation?#BlackInnovators #BlackEntrepreneurs?#FromChainstoLinks?#BlackInnovation?#BlackExcellence?#Entrepreneurship #Wellness #Selfcare?

Get ready to power up change at THE LIGHT HOUSE 2025! ?? Dive into our dynamic schedule filled with sessions on coalition building, community resilience, and rewiring relationships in a tech-mediated world. When you're ready for a break, step into the Library of the Future to engage with the stories that have shaped our imaginations. And on Sunday night, celebrate new connections at our signature Lights Out party! Working with our champions Omidyar Network, Siegel Family Endowment, Stanford d.school, and Black Innovation Alliance, THE LIGHT HOUSE offers a vision of a tech ecosystem that centers people, not technology, as protagonists in shaping our shared technological future. Let’s unite our resources to build a future where tech truly works for all. ??? #TheTechWeWant #TeamHuman #TheLIghtHouse2025 #TechForGood #SharedPower

MSNBC recently announced the cancellation of Joy-Ann Reid's The ReidOut and The Katie Phang Show, two programs led by women of color. This isn’t just a programming decision—it’s part of a troubling pattern where major media layoffs disproportionately impact journalists of color. At a time when diverse voices in journalism are more critical than ever, these cancellations raise serious concerns about press freedom and representation in mainstream media. How You Can Take Action: - Raise awareness – Use #WeNeedJoy on social media - Make your voice heard – Contact MSNBC at 212-664-4444 #MediaRepresentation #DiversityInNews #WeNeedJoy #JournalismMatters #PressFreedom #BIA #NarrativeChange #news #newsworthy