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

Opportunity is on the other side of Challenge. At our recent Friends of BIA event, Colin Kaepernick said something powerful, none of us would be here without challenges. But guess what? On the other side of those challenges are opportunities. ?? We're at a pivotal moment where people are starting to ask the bigger question: What’s my purpose? Not just what’s my job? People are shifting from running an enterprise to fulfilling their true assignment. The real question now is: Can we create more pathways where doing good is how we survive and thrive? ?? Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Kelly Burton, PhD and Ifeoma Ike, Esq. on?From Chains to Links! Watch the full episode now: https://lnkd.in/eHbhhAwY #BlackInnovationAlliance #BIA #BlackInnovation #BlackInnovators #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #BlackEntrepreneurs #FromChainstoLinks #OvercomingChallenges #OvercomingObstacles

Women don’t just participate in innovation—they drive it forward. This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the visionaries, changemakers, and pioneers in our community who are making history right now! Melinda Weekes-Laidlow, J.D., M.Div., CSM – CEO, Beautiful Ventures Griselle Colon - Wright – Founder & CEO, TXL Diverse Partners Tanya T Morris – Founder & CEO, Mom Your Business These women are redefining entrepreneurship, championing businesses, and fostering inclusive ecosystems. Their impact is shaping the future, and we’re proud to celebrate their work. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInBusiness #BlackWomenLead #Leadership #Innovation #BlackInnovationAlliance #BIA

Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the?Black Tech Saturdays Women’s Event?— and the energy in that room was powerful. From tech innovators to founders, creatives to community builders, the space was full of brilliant women showing up and out for Detroit. At the event, I got the chance to connect with Bianca M Pope (The Greenwood Institute) and catch a glimpse of her amazing session on Managing Finances in Economic Downturn. ???? ???? Later that evening, our?Black Innovation Alliance team?gathered at?The Kitchen by Cooking With Que?with a group of Detroit founders and leaders for food, fellowship, and powerful conversation. We discussed the incredible work happening across the city and how we can build deeper collaboration to move Detroit forward. We also introduced?TRUST Detroit, a bold initiative designed to empower under-resourced entrepreneurs and strengthen Innovation Support Organizations (ISOs) through?funding, training, and collaboration. Through?monthly grants, business & tech education, and capital access support, TRUST Detroit is about building a more connected, inclusive, and resourced ecosystem — with trust at the center. This is just the beginning — and we’re excited to keep showing up and doing the work! To sign up and learn more about TRUST Detroit click here: https://lnkd.in/gUSwfa2a #TrustDetroit #BIA #BlackInnovationAlliance #BlackTechSaturdays #WomensHistoryMonth #CommunityBuilding #TechForGood #DetroitFounders #InclusiveGrowth #EcosystemBuilders #Detroit

From Military Intelligence Officer to corporate leader to beauty industry disruptor—Shante Frazier isn’t just making moves; she’s making history. Co-founding WellCapped, Shanté saw a gap in the beauty industry and created a game-changing solution: a "Rent the Runway" for wigs and extensions that makes luxury hair more accessible and sustainable. ?? This Women’s Month, we’re giving you your flowers. ?? #DearHer?#BlackInnovationAlliance?#WomensHistoryMonth?#WomensHistory?#BlackWomenInLaw?#Leadership?#MakingHistory?#Changemaker?#Innovator?#WomenInLeadership?#Trailblazer?#InspiringChange

The Secret Sauce To Entrepreneurship ?? "Entrepreneurship is more about failing than it is about winning." -Dr. Kelly Burton Success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about wins—it’s about riding out the losses, learning from them, and coming back stronger. If you’re not ready for the L’s, you might want to rethink your journey. Fail. Learn. Try again. That’s the secret sauce. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with?Kelly Burton, PhD?and?Ifeoma Ike, Esq.?on?From Chains to Links! Watch the full episode now:?https://lnkd.in/dbX_v6Hy #BlackInnovationAlliance?#BIA?#BlackInnovation?#BlackInnovators?#BlackWomenEntrepreneurs?#BlackEntrepreneurs #FromChainstoLinks #Entrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship #Failure #OvercomingFailure #Success

This Women’s History Month, we continue to honor powerful women in our community who are leading in business, technology, and beyond. Their work is shaping the future, and we are here to celebrate them! ?? Kunbi Tinuoye – CEO, UrbanGeekz ??Makisha Boothe – Founder & Head Business Coach, SistahBiz Global Network ?? Torin Darling Brazzle – Founder & Executive Director, Ignite From building thriving business networks to amplifying diverse voices in media, these women are changing the game for all of us. Let’s uplift them and continue to support women who are making history today! Tag a woman innovator in your network and celebrate her impact! ?? #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInBusiness #BlackWomenLead #Leadership #Innovation #BlackInnovationAlliance #BIA

For the first time in over a century, the Miami-Dade County Bar Association has a Black woman at the helm. ? Charise A. Morgan is making history and making space. From the courtroom to leadership, her journey is one of power, purpose, and paving the way for the next generation. This Women’s History Month, we honor HER. ?? #DearHer #BlackInnovationAlliance #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensHistory #BlackWomenInLaw #Leadership #MakingHistory #Changemaker #Innovator #WomeninLaw #WomenInLeadership #Trailblazer #InspiringChange

"You belong in any room that you enter!" - Shonda Rhimes Shonda Rhimes is currently the highest-paid showrunner in television history! Shondaland has given a ￡275m UK economy over the past five years. Imagine building a business that can help fuel economies and support over 5,000 businesses. Shonda's right; there is no alternative. Remember, you belong in every room. #Inspiration #womenshistorymonth #womeinmedia #blackwomen #womenwriters #blackwomenwriters #womencreators #womenentrepreneurs #blackentrepreneurs #mediamakers #blkcreatives #shondarhimes #bridgerton #dailyinspiration?

When was the last time you chose joy or to celebrate, no matter who was watching? Dr. Kelly Burton shared her decision to dance unapologetically during a concert in a recent episode of the "From Chains to Links" podcast. Even in something as simple as dancing, we can be leaders and movement makers. Joy is?contagious. It's?a protest, a declaration, a necessity. But sometimes, you have to be the one to?start the movement. Too often, we wait for permission to?fully embrace the moment—to celebrate, to show up, to take up space. But the truth is:?You don't need permission to live in joy.?If no one else will dance,?dance anyway. If no one else will celebrate,?be your own hype squad. And if you see someone dancing alone??Join them! Watch this full episode of "From Chains to Links" now on YouTube:?https://lnkd.in/ej5WUFeF #NewPodcast?#Podcast?#FromChainstoLinks?#BIA? #BlackInnovationAlliance?#Entrepreneurship? #Entrepreneurs?#BlackFounder?#BlackEntrepreneur #Joy