Here's Millions In Funding Opportunities For Black Women Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs thrive when they are able to work freely and truly focus on their gifts in building their brands and businesses. But that focus can be tough when the finances are tight, dwindling, or just not available for key parts of the journey like expansion. Well, we've got all our xoNecole budding entrepreneurs and businesswomen covered with millions in funding opportunities that you can literally apply for from the comfort of your computer screen.
Check out a few awesome options to get your business off the ground, finance a new phase, or just invest in bettering the process of offering your best product or service to the world.
(Oh, and all application information and websites can be accessed by clicking each title. Get your money sis!)
Funding Opportunities for Black Women Entrepreneurs
LIFEWTR's #LifeUnseenContest
This one is targeted toward creatives, and anyone interested in the $10,000 in funds, as well as a mentoring session with Issa Rae, will need to follow LIFEWTR's Instagram, shoot their shot via a pitch presented on the platform, tag them, and use the hashtag. There will be five winners chosen and the deadline is July 30.
National Black MBA Association's Scale Up Pitch Challenge
If you have a big idea for a business that you can scale to succeed over time, you could win $50,000 with this one. You'll get to connect with investors and venture capitalists as well. The deadline is July 26.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund
There are 25 $10,000 grants up for grabs for small business owners via SIA Scotch's partnership with Hello Alice, an online entrepreneurship resource for funding and more. The deadline is August 10.
Eat Me Guilt Free's You Glow Girl Grant
Eat Me Guilt Free, a maker of protein-filled baked treats, is offering $10,000 to finance a lucky woman's entrepreneurial dreams. They're also offering a one-year supply of their products, a Peloton bike, and a one-year mentorship with founder Cristie Besu. The deadline is August 1.
Halstead Grant
This is a unique opportunity for jewelry entrepreneurs that includes a $7,500 cash grant and other resources, and it's presented by Halstead Bead Inc., a family-owned company with more than 40 years in the business. The deadline is August 1.
Comcast Rise
This multimedia giant is offering marketing, creative, media and technology services and resources to minority-owned businesses, much of which is almost priceless but clearly worth thousands of dollars. The deadline is July 31.
National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants
National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis and there's up to $4,000 available to each recipient. Applicants must be members of the organization, and there are rolling deadlines.
Featured image via Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS