The "Liberate U" Newsletter: October 7, 2024

Welcome to the most recent edition of the "Liberate U" Newsletter! As always, you get access to actionable content on Black liberation, funding opportunities, and entrepreneur events in the Triangle, as we explore how to leverage entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic, personal, and community liberation. Enjoy!

Opening Highlights

• I loved this post from Rachel Pitchford about "self-care". She says that self-care isn't JUST bubble baths and sleeping in... it's also: being disciplined about what matters, or doing that thing you've been putting off, or having a hard conversation... I'm meditating on this idea that the care in self-care means doing what's truly good for you. And that includes hard things, too. What do you think?!
• Join me tomorrow, Tuesday, October 7, at Noon EST for a powerful LinkedIn Live conversation with Andre Whittington , CEO and President of Growth Partners Arizona on advancing Black economic liberation as a part of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs "Black Money" series.
• ICYMI: Here is the replay of the brilliant Black Money interview with Jay Diallo - President , President and CEO of First Community Capital, Inc .

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

• The Tory Burch Foundation is looking for women entrepreneurs - from any industry - for the 2025 Fellows program. The application deadline is Friday, November 1st. To apply, visit https://lnkd.in/g5hUrm5U
• Jeanine Suah is making $100K in Pre-seed investments. $25K checks. B2B or B2B2C (applications close TODAY, Oct. 7, at 11:59pm EST). Learn more here.
• Slauson & Co. is investing $300K – $2mm checks from their F&F Accelerator + $100mm Fund II.
• The Well Work x Justworks - Just Thrive Program | Up to $6,000 to existing businesses that have at least 50% ownership by marginalized founder(s) with 2+ W-2 employees, Deadline: Rolling Applications | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV
• 15Percent Pledge?|?The Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award?- $200,000 in grant funding for Black-owned businesses with high growth potential, Deadline: Oct 16, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/guDsrVaQ
• Black Girl Ventures | BGV Pitch Competition - $30,000 in grant funding for underrepresented women entrepreneurs, Deadline: October 9 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gwqUHBkT
• P.S. The top two of these opportunities were shared by Jeanine Suah and the last 3 of these opportunities were originally shared by Kat Gabrielle ... in other words, go follow these world-changers!

Entrepreneur Events in the Triangle this/next week:

• Durham Business Networking Event at Ramside Hall Golf Club- Fri. October 11, 7:30-9:00 AM
• E3 Durham is hosting its next 3rdThurs event on Oct. 17. Learn more here.

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