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

Black homebuyers are disproportionately denied purchase mortgages compared to other homebuyers in America. On average, 14.44% of Black homebuyers are denied a mortgage, which is 5.30 percentage points higher than the average denial rate of 9.14% across the overall population. We published the Ameritocracy comic as a part of last years' Clapback campaign and we are still fighting to close the racial wealth gap. Learn more about BIA's initiatives on our website: https://lnkd.in/gjnwJMD #Clapback #digitaleconomy #ecommerce #BlackEconomicPower #BlackInnovators #BlackInnovationAlliance #Equity #EconomicJustice #RacialEquity #Homeownership

We love seeing this program grow, and our members also get to participate in the work.?

Did you know an African man introduced the concept of inoculation to the Western world? Our CEO, Kelly Burton, PhD, shares the often unspoken history of how Onesimus introduced the concept of inoculation to the Western world in the 1700s. Onesimus explained the practice, which had been used in Africa for hundreds of years, to Cotton Mather. But historically, Mather?is largely credited with introducing?inoculation?to the colonies. Our ancestors have contributed to innovative solutions across industries, including healthcare, saving countless lives. We all have the right to innovate! #DecadeofBlackInnovation #BlackInnovation #BlackInnovators #Blackhistory #history #BlackinSTEM #BlackInnovationAlliance #Blackstories #Innovators

Are Black entrepreneurs wasting their time on building beauty brands? Tyrome Smith, Senior Consultant, Public Spend Forum, offers a compelling explanation in the latest episode of the "From Chains to Links" podcast. He states, "The margins on that stuff are so skinny. They’re so thin. What can you do in a digital environment? Build once multiple uses. It’s not infinitely scalable, but if you’re smart about it, the scalability or the X on it is 10, 15, 20, or 25X." What do you think—are we too focused on beauty and CPG (hard products)? Let us know your take in the comments below! Watch the latest episode of "From Chains to Links" on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/evUdKJbY Stream the episode on your favorite podcast platform. #newpodcast #podcast #FromChainstoLinks #BIA #BlackInnovationAlliance #DecadeofBlackInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneurs #VentureCapital #CPG #BeautyIndustry #Blackentrepreneurs #Innovation #DigitalInnovation #InnovationEconomy #DigitalEconomy Ifeoma Ike, Esq. Kelly Burton, PhD

?? Last call to register! The Bahamas Women in Tech Series begins today at 12 PM ET! Join us for an inspiring session led by Bianca J. Jackson, MBA, PMP?, Creative Technologist, and Creative Experience Officer at BrickRose Exchange. During the "AI for Growth: Building and Scaling Your Business" session, she will explore actionable strategies for leveraging AI to grow and scale your business. Presented by the Black Innovation Alliance and the The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, this virtual event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn from leading experts in tech and innovation. Don’t miss out—register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/ezj7b7hU #BlackWomenInTech #DecadeofBlackInnovation #BlackInnovationAlliance #WomenInTech #WomeninSTEM #MarketingTech #AI #BahamasWomeninTech #Hospitality #Tourism

"You make sure that you own what no one can take from you. So you own the trademarks, you own the patents, you own the land!" -- Fawn Weaver During a Forbes Women Summit interview, Fawn Weaver dropped gems explaining her philosophy: "If you don't own the land, you don't own the brand." Fawn explained she developed this concept after seeing many women and people of color receiving venture capital investments but being forced out of their companies two years later. Fawn followed this advice to keep ownership of her company and build her billion-dollar spirits brand, Uncle Nearest. #DecadeofBlackInnovation #BlackInnovationAlliance #BlackInnovation #BlackInnovators #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusiness #BlackBillionaires #SupportBlackBusiness #BusinessAdvice

The promise of AI transformation can seem overwhelming if you’re not familiar with AI and what it can do. I’m excited to break it down and share easy tips on how AI can enhance business processes at The Bahamas Women in Tech Series tomorrow. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e4DUjmV7 #womenintech #blackwomenintech #martech #AI

Talisha Padgett, MBA, the General Manager of Marketing Technology and AI at Microsoft and co-founder of Empathy Coaching LLC, will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming Bahamas Women in Tech series session. Talisha’s expertise in tech innovation and her commitment to empathetic leadership are poised to provide valuable insights on leveraging digital tools for business growth. The Bahamas Women in Tech Series is presented by the Black Innovation Alliance and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. Date: Wednesday, November 20th Time: 12 PM ET Join us and other women in tech and tourism. You still have time to register here: https://lnkd.in/ezj7b7hU #BlackWomenInTech #DecadeofBlackInnovation #BlackInnovationAlliance #WomenInTech #WomeninSTEM #MarketingTech #AI #BahamasWomeninTech #Hospitality #Tourism

Rose LeJiste, Founder of RL Engineering and Tech Solutions, is a trailblazer in ecosystem building and a passionate advocate for Black entrepreneurs. RL Engineering and Tech Solutions is an industry-leading engineering, technology, and business solutions firm that empowers entrepreneurs with innovative strategies and tools to achieve growth. In 2023, Rose Lejiste took a leap of faith, leaving her nonprofit role to focus on her business full-time. She joined forces with four Black women entrepreneurs, combining their expertise along with hers to secure a $1.3 million contract with the City of Jacksonville. Together, they became an unstoppable force, proving that collaboration can turn ambitions into achievements. “We were better together,” Rose shares, inspiring others to embrace the strength in unity. Rose’s story is a powerful reminder that the future of Black entrepreneurship lies in collaboration, trust, and shared vision. When we come together, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish! For aspiring entrepreneurs, Rose’s advice is clear:?“Find your community and a mentor. Your network is your net worth.”Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, step out of your comfort zone, and build relationships, they’re often the key to unlocking your next opportunity. Amplify Rose’s journey by sharing it with your network. Discover how RL Engineering and Tech Solutions is shaping the future of Black entrepreneurship in tech at?www.rlengtech.com. #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #CollaborativeSuccess # #BusinessGrowth #Empowerment #BIA #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #MinorityWomenInBusiness #DecadeofBlackInnovation