The "Liberate U" Newsletter - August 13, 2024

Welcome to the most recent edition of the "Liberate U" Newsletter! I'm thrilled to journey with you as we explore how to leverage entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic, personal, and community liberation.

Opening Highlights:

• I posted some late night musings on what Black liberation looks like as a way of being and not just a cute discussion topic... I would love to hear your thoughts so please hop in the comments!
• Join me today (Tuesday) at Noon EST for a powerful LinkedIn Live conversation with Paul Jones , CEO of ProsperUs Detroit , on how advancing Black economic liberation.?This is a part of The Alliance's "Black Money on LinkedIn Live" series.
• As we near the half-way point of Black Business Month, check out this great article on the history of Black August by Lenwood V Long Sr , CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs .
• ICYMI: Here is the replay of the inspiring interview with Malinda Starr Williams, MBA , CEO of Omaha 100 Inc .

Securing the Bag (funding, revenue, and resource opportunities for Black founders):

• NC IDEA 's MICRO and SEED Grant Applications are due in a couple weeks!

They're offering early stage, growth-oriented companies the opportunity to apply for one of two different NC IDEA grants. If you're a young company looking to validate assumptions and develop and business model, Apply to?NC IDEA MICRO , who awards $10k project-based grants.?If you're an early stage company looking to scale faster,?NC IDEA SEED ?offers 50k.

Need more info? Check out their?Grants Info Session Webinar. Applications are due by Aug. 26th at 5pm EST.

• BWFA Cohort 2024 - The Build Wellth Founder Academy has a great 4-week accelerator course designed for Black women and non-binary founders.
• The Well Work x Justworks $6000 Just Thrive Grant - Justworks PEO assists qualified companies with Payroll, HR, Compliance along with access to optional benefits like Health Insurance, 401k and more. Click the link to learn more.
• P.S. The Well Work is a major plug on the topic of grant opportunities for Black founders! Gain access to 100k worth of grants directed to your inbox when you sign up for their Newsletter.

Upcoming Entrepreneur Events in the Triangle:?

• Third Thursday's - Thurs. August 15th, 5:30-8:00 PM?hosted by E3 Durham and the Forward Cities team
• Senior Industry Networking Meetup Group Lunch Wed.August 21, 12:00 1:30 PM at PF Changs on Fayetteville Rd.
• The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce hosts their Black Business Assembly on Aug. 24. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how to plug in to the resources they offer.
• RTP Business Networking at The Sheraton Imperial Hotel - (Day). August 21, 6:00 PM
• Women's Collaborative Business Network (Durham Chapter) Thurs. August 22, 10:00 AM at Namu Korean Eats , Beer Hall and Coffee Bar
• Unlocking Capital Success Webinar: Expert Strategies for Business Financing (Online)- Tues. August 27th, 8:00 PM

You know that our mutual liberation is inextricably intertwined. What other opportunities and events do you know about so that I can share them with the community?!

With Love,

Justin Minott