SHOPPE BLACK: Recent Episodes
Tony Lawson
In today’s ever-evolving food industry, brands that resonate culturally while prioritizing health and wellness are rare.
But A Dozen Cousins, founded by Ibraheem Basir, has managed to achieve just that—offering a unique blend of family values, cultural authenticity, and nutritious foods. In an exclusive interview with Shoppe Black, Ibraheem shares the inspiration behind his brand, its growth journey, and what the future holds for A Dozen Cousins.
The Origin Story: A Dozen CousinsThe name “A Dozen Cousins” has a deep personal meaning for Ibraheem. He explains, “The brand is named after my nieces, nephews, and my first daughter. When we were preparing to have our first child, I already had 11 nieces and nephews, so my daughter became the 12th cousin.” This family connection is the heart of the brand, symbolizing the role that family, food, and culture have played throughout Ibraheem’s life.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Ibraheem was surrounded by a rich Black and Latino melting pot of cultures, where food was more than just sustenance—it was a way to celebrate and spread love. “I grew up eating Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine. Food was always a way to mark holidays and special occasions, and it’s something I wanted to bring to others through A Dozen Cousins.”
The Mission: Celebrating Culture and Promoting HealthIbraheem started his career working at a large national food brand, but as he learned more about health and wellness, he noticed a gap in the market. “There were very few brands that hit the right combination of being health-focused, using high-quality ingredients, and staying culturally relevant,” he said. This observation led to the creation of A Dozen Cousins, with a mission to celebrate culture through food while promoting healthy eating.
The brand’s first product, seasoned beans, was chosen with intention. “Beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet,” Ibraheem explains. “They’re also emotionally significant for many cultures. We wanted people to feel like they were treating their bodies well, while also connecting to their culture.”
From Beans to Full Meals: Expanding the Product LineA Dozen Cousins started with seasoned beans, a product that resonated with customers for its convenience and authenticity. “For about two years, beans were the only product we sold,” Ibraheem recalls. As demand grew, the brand expanded its offerings to include rice and seasoning sauces.
“When we saw that 90% of our customers were eating our beans with rice, we knew it was time to expand into that category,” he says. But, as with everything A Dozen Cousins creates, the rice had to stand out. “We decided to cook our rice in bone broth, making it more nutrient-dense with seven grams of protein and a few grams of collagen.” This focus on both taste and health is what sets the brand apart.
Today, A Dozen Cousins offers a full portfolio of products, allowing customers to create entire meals. “You can put together a high-quality dinner using just our products. Grab a couple of pouches of our beans, rice, and seasoning sauces, and in 20 minutes, you’ve got a delicious meal.”
Growing the Brand: Retail Strategy and BeyondA Dozen Cousins is now available in over 8,000 stores, including major retailers. When asked about his strategy for expanding the brand’s retail presence, Ibraheem emphasizes the importance of standing out. “Retailers are looking for the same thing as consumers—products that are new, interesting, and different from what’s already out there,” he says.
He highlights the brand’s unique value proposition. “When we launched our beans, most of what was on store shelves were plain cans of beans. We offered something more convenient, something that didn’t require chopping, seasoning, or cooking time. That’s how we were able to grow our distribution so quickly.”
But getting onto retail shelves wasn’t easy. Ibraheem shares how persistence and creativity played a role. “We’ve done a lot of hustling—cold emails, sending products to headquarters, and attending trade shows. It’s not always a smooth line, but we’ve seen success.”
Balancing Operations and CreativityRunning a food brand requires a delicate balance between operational demands and creative development. Ibraheem credits his team for helping him maintain that balance. “We have a great team in place—our director of supply chain ensures we’re producing on time and on spec, while our VP of sales helps us meet retailer requirements. That gives me the headspace to think about the future of the brand and product development.”
For Ibraheem, creativity is about doing things differently. “We launched a white bean chili last year at Whole Foods, and it’s now our number two seller there. It’s a product that didn’t exist in the market, and we made it our own by using white beans, tomatillos, and jalapeno for a vegan twist on a classic chili verde.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of A Dozen CousinsWhen asked about his vision for the next five years, Ibraheem is clear: he wants A Dozen Cousins to be synonymous with Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine. “The goal is for people to think of A Dozen Cousins when they’re preparing a meal from these regions. We want to be their sous chef, the brand that helps them put together a meal that’s delicious, healthy, and culturally authentic.”
Achieving that goal involves more than just creating great products. “You need great packaging, an emotional connection with consumers, and a solid business model. But ultimately, it’s about getting to that point where people know you, your products are in their pantry, and you’re part of their routine.”
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In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, where accurate predictions can make or break investment strategies, Victor Ekpoke, founder of Trending Neurons, is making waves with his fintech company.
Trending Neurons redefines how investors approach financial market predictions, offering unparalleled insights powered by proprietary AI and machine learning algorithms.
Designed to simplify stock trading for both novice and experienced traders, Trending Neurons turns overwhelming market data into actionable insights. As Victor explains, “We simplify trading decisions by answering three crucial questions: which stock to buy, why to buy it, and when to buy it.”
The platform’s high level of accuracy and commitment to transparency have been pivotal in building trust within the trading community. “Our platform boasts an accuracy rate of up to 98%, and we proudly display these figures on our website to maintain full transparency,” Victor shared. This dedication to reliability has been a core value since the company’s inception.
The Problem Trending Neurons SolvesStock trading can be overwhelming, especially for those who don’t have a financial background or experience in the market. Victor was aware of this challenge when he created Trending Neurons. He elaborated, “The problem is that most people are either scared to invest or make emotional decisions when they do. We wanted to provide a tool that takes emotion out of the equation and makes decisions based on data.”
The platform provides traders with clear, data-backed reasons to buy specific stocks, removing the guesswork from trading decisions. It helps them identify the best opportunities, ensuring that users aren’t making investments blindly. As Victor put it, “Our goal is to give people the confidence to make informed trades without needing to be experts in finance.”
How Trending Neurons WorksTrending Neurons uses advanced AI algorithms to analyze market data, providing users with predictions on stock performance. The AI is designed to mimic the strategies used by successful traders but does so on a larger and faster scale. Victor highlighted the speed and efficiency of the platform: “Our AI processes thousands of data points in seconds, something no human trader could do in such a short amount of time.”
This technology enables the platform to spot trends and opportunities before they become widely known, giving users an edge in the market. Trending Neurons doesn’t just predict stock movements—it explains them. Victor emphasized, “We don’t just tell you which stock to buy; we explain the reasoning behind it, so you’re learning as you trade.”
The Human Element Behind AIAlthough Trending Neurons is driven by AI, Victor firmly believes in the importance of the human element in decision-making. “AI is powerful, but it’s still a tool,” he remarked. “At the end of the day, the user has the final say in what to invest in. We’re here to empower traders, not replace them.”
Victor’s approach balances technology with human insight, ensuring that users remain in control of their investments while benefiting from AI’s analytical power.
A Vision for the FutureVictor envisions Trending Neurons becoming a must-have tool for every trader. “We’re not just trying to build another trading app,” he said. “We’re creating a platform that helps traders of all levels make better decisions and ultimately achieve financial success.”
He’s also keen on expanding the platform’s capabilities to include more personalized trading recommendations and insights, tailored to each user’s risk tolerance and financial goals.
Sign up for full access to their advanced market sentiment tools and AI-driven predictionshttps://youtu.be/QW9I1LZDM0g?si=NflguWljEZZAb6Q9
Yaba Baker is the founder and CEO of Just Like Me World, a company dedicated to empowering Black children through books and animated content that address mental health, self-love, and pride in Black history.
In this interview, he shares the personal story of trauma that inspired him to create content that fosters positive mental health for children, particularly in underserved communities.
Yaba BakerHighlights: Inspiration for Just Like Me World: Yaba’s traumatic experiences with violence during his teenage years motivated him to create a platform that would make a positive impact on children. * Focus on Mental Health for Children: Just Like Me World integrates mental health tools into children’s stories, aimed at helping kids feel better about themselves and make positive life choices. * Impact of His Books: The Just Like Me series, featuring Black history and characters, has received positive feedback from parents, teachers, and psychologists. Stories like Princess Brianna and Super CJ have instilled pride and improved mental well-being among young readers. * Balancing Fun and Education: Baker ensures that while serious topics like mental health and financial literacy are addressed, the content remains fun and engaging to keep children interested. * Plans for Future Growth: The focus is on expanding Just Like Me TV on YouTube, continuing the Super CJ series with new episodes, and launching new projects, such as an animated movie for Princess Brianna* by 2028.
Subscribe to their YouTube channel, purchase books or merchandise, and join their Patreon for exclusive content and opportunities!https://youtu.be/bc3jJs11tmM?si=PeOksqOFtMTyNutk
The Black Hoteliers & Investors Association (BH&IA) is a membership-based, nonprofit trade association focused on growing the valuation of the independent, Black-owned boutique hotel and resort market to $8 billion by 2060.
BH&IA provides its investor and owner members with innovative models to scale their hospitality brands, increase returns, and collectively impact the industry.
In this interview, S. Lovey Parker, Executive Director of the BH&IA highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Black hotel owners and investors, as well as the organization’s efforts to address these issues through marketing, capitalization, and community support.
Key points from the interview: BH&IA’s mission: To empower Black hoteliers and investors by growing the value of the independent, Black-owned boutique hotel market. * Challenges facing Black hotel owners: Proper capitalization, marketing, and navigating the hospitality industry. * BH&IA’s approach: Providing resources for marketing, capitalization, and community building. * Upcoming events:* The Black Hoteliers and Investors Retreat, where 200 ultra-high-net-worth individuals, accredited investors, and Black hoteliers will gather to explore investment opportunities in this space.
Watch the full interview to learn more about BH&IA and its commitment to supporting Black entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJzRVJNSvr0
Tiffany Kelly is the founder and CEO of Curastory, a platform that empowers creators to seamlessly produce, edit, and monetize their video content across multiple channels from a single hub.
Curastory not only streamlines the content creation process but also connects brands with creators, simplifying the complexities of legal and financial negotiations.
In this interview, Tiffany reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, from observing the rapid transformations within the media industry to identifying the immense potential of the creator economy.
She recounts how her early career at ESPN, where she played a key role in developing essential data metrics, ignited her entrepreneurial spirit and inspired her to establish Curastory.
Join us as we delve into Tiffany’s journey, the obstacles she has overcome, and the innovative solutions she continues to pioneer in the dynamic world of digital media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlOmIKHRFMU
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Nasir Qadree, the founder of Zeal Capital Partners, a venture capital firm based in Washington, DC, joins SHoppe Black co-founder, Tony O. Lawson, for an insightful conversation on inclusive investing and the unique approach of Zeal Capital Partners.
During the interview, Qadree discusses his journey into venture capital and underscores the significance of supporting diverse management teams and mission-driven entrepreneurs. He outlines Zeal Capital Partners’ dedication to redefining the foundations of wealth through strategic investments in education, employment pathways, financial technology, and health equity.
Zeal Capital Partners operates under an inclusive investing mandate, ensuring both financial returns and social impact. Qadree’s background, which diverges from the traditional VC path, allowed him to create a differentiated strategy that resonated with limited partners. This approach helped Zeal raise significant capital, even amidst challenging market conditions.
The conversation delves into Zeal’s focus areas:
Future of Work: Investing in technologies that reskill and upskill workers to address the skills gap.
Financial Technology: Supporting ventures that expand credit access and combat biases in credit systems.
Health Equity: Investing in companies that improve access to affordable healthcare and address social determinants of health.
Qadree discusses the challenges of raising capital for a mission-driven firm and shares his strategies for convincing limited partners to back Zeal. He emphasizes the importance of having strong conviction in one’s vision and being disciplined with the cap table. Additionally, he advises founders on navigating the VC market, focusing on market understanding, product differentiation, and investor alignment.
As Zeal Capital Partners continues to grow, Qadree remains dedicated to inclusive investing, supporting diverse entrepreneurs, and driving meaningful social change. The firm’s comprehensive post-investment support ensures that portfolio companies receive the necessary tools and guidance to scale and succeed.
Watch the full interview below to learn more about Nasir Qadree’s inspiring journey and Zeal Capital Partners’ innovative approach to venture capital.
https://youtu.be/UiHfUfPfUZY
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The Entertainment Football League Association (ENTFLA) is redefining the sports and entertainment landscape with a unique blend of professional indoor football and high-energy live events. From pre-game tailgating to post-game concerts, ENTFLA offers fans an immersive experience unlike any other.
Founded by entrepreneur Douglas Freeman, ENTFLA is more than just a sports league. It’s a platform for community engagement and economic growth. With a focus on profitability and expansion, Freeman is building a business model that attracts investors and positions ENTFLA for nationwide and global success.
Backed by a seasoned team of industry experts, ENTFLA is committed to making a positive impact on its host cities. Through strategic partnerships and community initiatives, the league aims to unite communities, support local businesses, and provide opportunities for youth.
As ENTFLA continues to grow, its vision is to become a dominant force in the sports and entertainment industry, with a global reach and a lasting legacy.
Key points:
- Unique blend of sports and entertainment
- Focus on community engagement and economic impact
- Profitable business model attracting investors
- Rapid expansion plans for national and global growth
Watch the full interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjMsiC4DV5A
Gregory Boler Jr. is the founder and managing partner of KMT Partners, a company that sources and executes unique industrial development opportunities in primary and emerging markets along the East Coast.
In this interview, Gregory shares his journey from a mechanical engineering student and football player at Florida A&M University to a leading figure in industrial real estate development. He delves into his strategic investment approach, market focus, and the emerging trends shaping the industrial sector.
With insights on creating generational wealth and navigating complex projects, this conversation offers a comprehensive look into the expertise and ambition driving KMT Partners.
by Tony O. LawsonInterested in investing in Black founders? If so, please complete this brief form.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IMYVA9p4q8
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NAAGA is a membership-based organization dedicated to helping African Americans learn about their rights and responsibilities as firearm owners.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Shanea Daniels, Director of Chapters and Memberships for the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA).
Shanea shares her thoughts on the importance of gun safety and education within the Second Amendment community.
We’ll also learn about the upcoming NAAGA 2024 National Summit in Dallas, Texas, happening July 25th through 28th. The summit offers a variety of activities for gun enthusiasts of all experience levels, including training sessions, educational workshops, and social events.
Stay tuned as Shania dives deeper into the summit’s theme, “It’s Bigger Than Us,” and explains how NAAGA promotes a holistic approach to well-being for its members.
Atlanta-based ECOMSPACES provides a collaborative workspace that caters specifically to the needs of online retailers.
From marketing assistance to private offices, dedicated desks, and inventory management solutions, ECOMSPACES equips entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.
In this interview, co-founder and CEO Maïré Bavarday-Rosa shares her inspiring journey from a bedroom startup to a global e-commerce support hub.
Topics Covered:
- The founding story of EcomSpaces
- Comprehensive e-commerce services under one roof
- Success stories of member brands
- Global reach and international client support
- Plans for expansion and growth
- Insights into the e-commerce industry
WATCHhttps://youtu.be/yl5vNeF3oPA?si=Fdur6vpOyrZTyI25
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Imagine the unique collaboration between a Military Submarine Force Veteran and an Optometrist.
Now, envision them uniting their expertise to confront one of today’s most pressing health challenges: diabetes.
The result? The birth of the first Black and US Navy Veteran and Optometrist-owned ophthalmic goods manufacturing company.
Enter LensRxLAB, a Philadelphia-based healthcare startup poised to redefine diabetic eye care through a blend of pioneering technology, accessibility, and social consciousness.
In this interview, Anthony Miles and Dr. Chelise Firmin share how their innovative products cater to the needs of individuals with diabetes, offering innovative healthcare delivery platforms alongside specialized lens technology.
They underscore the pivotal role of partnerships—be it with investors or strategic allies—in propelling their venture forward, aiming to scale operations with a recent $830,000 seed funding and an ambitious $3.1 million fundraising goal.
Their vision? To transform LensRxLAB into a billion-dollar enterprise fueled by innovation, commitment, and collaborative endeavors.
Join us as we explore their inventive strategies and audacious aspirations to disrupt the ophthalmic goods manufacturing sphere and extend their impact to millions worldwide.
WATCHhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PodPWZwnlyQ
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What do you get when a Military Submarine Force Veteran and an Optometrist join forces to tackle diabetes? You get LensRxLAB, a healthcare startup on a mission to revolutionize diabetic eye care with cutting-edge technology, affordability, and social responsibility.
In this interview, Anthony Miles and Dr. Chalise Furman explain how their product addresses the needs of diabetic individuals, offering both healthcare delivery platforms and specialized lens technology.
They emphasize the importance of partnerships, both in terms of investors and strategic alliances, to scale their business and make a meaningful impact. They also highlight their commitment to diversity and social responsibility, aiming to serve communities at large while also achieving financial success.
Their ultimate goal is to build LensRxLAB into a billion-dollar company, driven by innovation, service, and partnerships.
Having secured $830,000 in seed funding, they now aim to raise $3.1 million to scale up their operations, including production, staffing, and facility development.
In this interview, Ashley Cleveland, founder of the Afrika Investors Academy, takes us on her transformative path from the United States to Africa. She shares the driving force that led her to make the momentous decision to relocate. Delving into the origins of the Afrika Investors Academy, Ashley sheds light on its inception and how it has grown into a thriving online community with members from across the globe. She highlights the Academy’s mission of fostering entrepreneurship and investment in Africa, showcasing the remarkable businesses and projects being built by its members. Drawing from her own experiences, Ashley identifies lucrative
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The Agaciro Development Fund (Agaciro) was established in 2012 with the purpose of fostering Rwanda’s self-reliance and advancing economic development. Currently managing assets worth approximately $284 million, Agaciro has made strategic investments in 29 companies. In this conversation, Mr. Gilbert Nyatanyi, the CEO of the Agaciro Development Fund, discusses the fund’s objectives, its diverse investment portfolio, and emphasizes the significance of collaborating with international investment partners and African sovereign wealth funds. Mr. Nyatanyi also highlights the upcoming African Sovereign Investors Forum, a pivotal event designed to promote cooperation among sovereign wealth funds in Africa. The forum aims to facilitate the
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Eric Taylor is the CEO of Trident, a private equity firm focused on acquiring US-based small businesses in the industrial, consumer, and healthcare sectors.
In this conversation, Eric demystifies the world of private equity investing and provides a comprehensive overview of Trident’s approach. From identifying and assessing potential acquisitions to addressing the racial wealth gap through a specific emphasis on Black-owned businesses.
Eric also delves into the current state of the Industrial, Consumer, and Healthcare sectors, as well as discussing the transfer of wealth and its potential to address the racial wealth gap.
by Tony O. LawsonInterested in investing in Black founders? If so, please complete this brief form.The post Eric Taylor, CEO of Trident: Demystifying Private Equity and Bridging the Racial Wealth Gap appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Mitch Gilbert is the Co-founder & CEO of Oya, a femtech apparel brand that uses innovative fabrics and sweat absorption technology to provide performance wear engineered for feminine health and comfort. She has successfully raised $1.3 million to date for her Los Angeles-based company.
Notably, over $100,000 of that funding was raised on Seed at The Table, a Black-owned equity crowdfunding platform.
We caught up with Mitch to gain her insights on navigating the fundraising landscape as a Black founder.
In this interview, Mitch shares:
- Her experience fundraising for her company.
- What inspired her decision to raise capital on Seed At the Table.
- How Seed At the Table supported her campaign beyond just providing a platform for fundraising.
- Some of the biggest challenges she faced during the crowdfunding process, and how she overcame them.
- The steps she took to prepare for her crowdfunding campaign.
- Her advice for other founders who are considering equity crowdfunding as a way to raise capital.
Investors:True to its commitment to access, Seed is considering opening up an investment round to the community to allow investment participation in its growth journey. This is a unique opportunity that is typically only afforded to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Click here to be considered for investment in Seed at the Table and support socially responsible business!Businesses:Ready to fund your business growth and get connected with resources? Sign up on Seed at the Table to connect with potential investors who share your values and other viable resources to grow your business.
Email Support@SeedAtTheTable.com to sign up.Follow Seed At The Table on social media:* Seed LinkTree * Seed Instagram * Seed Fanbase * Seed Twitter
LISTEN BELOWThe post Black Founder Raised Six Figures on a Black-Owned Equity Crowdfunding Platform appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal lineages of African descent. Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Gina Paige, it is also the first Black owned DNA testing company. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of over 30,000 indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries and specific ethnic groups of origin with an unrivaled level of detail, accuracy, and confidence. In this episode, co-founder Gina Paige shares: The origin of AfricanAncestry.com Talking test recipients on curated “birthright trips” to Africa Why she is passionate about her work The many ways
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Scotch Porter is a New Jersey-based company that makes handcrafted, vegan, and all-natural men’s grooming products. The company’s mission is “To provide healthier, multi-purpose beard, hair, and face care products that are highly effective and easy to use.” Within the first 12 months of operation, Scotch Porter generated more than a million dollars in sales and has been growing rapidly ever since with distribution in major retailers such as Target and Walmart. In this interview, Calvin Quallis, Scotch Porter’s founder and CEO, shares: How his entrepreneurial relatives inspired him to start Scotch Porter The secrets behind his company’s growth How he plans
The post Scotch Porter CEO Discusses Growing the Largest Black Owned Men’s Grooming Brand appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Attiyah Blair is a self-made millionaire, real estate investor and coach, licensed realtor, and professional speaker. She bought her first home at age 23 and has been successfully investing in real estate since 2007. Her company, The Real Estate Reset, focuses primarily on rehabbing severely distressed properties and turning them into beautiful homes primarily in the Philadelphia area. In this interview, Attiyah shares: Her thoughts on the current state of the market How many properties she has accumulated to date How she finances her real estate deals Her current strategy given present market conditions The recipe for building a successful
The post How Attiyah Blair Built a Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Zing Health is a tech-enabled health insurance company that was founded in 2019 by two African American physician entrepreneurs, Eric E. Whitaker, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Alleyne, MD. The Chicago-based company’s mission is to provide managed care Medicare Advantage plans that address social determinants of health to reduce healthcare disparities among historically underserved populations. Dr. Eric E. Whitaker has more than 30 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors to create cutting-edge healthcare solutions for medically underserved populations. He is also one of the first Black entrepreneurs to raise over $180 million in Chicago. In this interview, Dr. Whitaker shares:
The post Physician-Entrepreneur Founded Company Has Raised $190M To Combat Health Inequity appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Pierre Laguerre is the founder of Fleeting, a trucking and fleet management services company that he grew to $4.5 million in revenue in just 3 years. He is also the first Black man to raise over $1 million via crowdfunding platforms. In this interview, Pierre shares: Thoughts on the current state of the trucking industry How to get into trucking without being a driver Removing the misconceptions attached to trucking Why investors like the trucking industry How a personal tragedy inspired him to educate others Topics included in his new trucking course Please LIKE the video, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to our
The post How to Make $5,000 a Month Running a Trucking Business From Home appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Tara Darnley is the founder of Darlyng & Co., an innovative line of baby products and apparel.
Darlyng & Co. is also the first Black-owned baby registry with more than 100 kid’s products and the fastest-growing clean beauty brand with products formulated for locs, Peculiar Roots.
Darlyng & Co. brands are currently sold by retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Sally Beauty, and more.
In this interview, Tara shares:
- What inspired her to start the business
- How the business was financed initially
- Owning ideas and learning how to file a patent
- Starting the first Black owned baby registry
- Best practices for operating her business effectively
- Developing good manufacturer relationships
- Growing from a team of two to selling in multiple retailers
Please LIKE the video, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel
-Tony O. Lawson
Access exclusive content about the latest business and investment opportunities. Sign up for a premium membership. LISTEN BELOW The post Building The First Black-Owned Baby Registry appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
According to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 U.S. adults is living with a disability — 61 million in total.
The global market for assistive technology estimated at $23.3 billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a size of $32 billion by 2026.
Accessibility or assistive technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.
Moaz Hamid is the founder of Mvmt Ventures, a venture studio and venture fund on a mission to advance accessibility and disability technology.
He previously served as general manager and partner with Google and helped with the emerging market growth for Maps, Apps, and Search. Before that, he helped Microsoft bring smartphones to the forefront of its agenda in the emerging market. Moaz also led the investment, strategy, and launch of the smartphone company HTC and many other global brands.
In this interview with Moaz, he shares:
- Common misconceptions about what it means to be disabled.
- The personal challenges and experiences that inspired him to focus on this space.
- The different ways assistive technology is being used to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
- The trends he is noticing in the assistive technology space.
- The reasons why startups focused solely on assistive tech have a more difficult time raising capital.
- What he looks for in a company before investing.
Don’t forget to LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to our Channel.
-Tony O. Lawson
Access exclusive content about the latest business and investment opportunities. Sign up for a premium membership. LISTEN BELOW The post Investing in Assistive Technology to Empower The Disabled appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
Black-led community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are at the forefront of channeling financial resources to Black communities across the country.
However, white-led CDFIs have six times the assets that Black-led CDFIs do, and while white-led CDFIs’ assets have increased over time, Black-led CDFIs’ assets have remained stagnant.
Lenwood Long, the President and CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is on a mission to change that.
The Alliance supports and empowers CDFI CEOs to lead and grow their institutional operations, teams, and social impact.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The difference between CDFIs and other financial institutions.
- Helping Black-owned businesses become more bankable.
- Black-led CDFI’s role in increasing wealth in Black communities.
- How racism leads to the underfunding of Black-led CDFI’s
- The $125 million Black Renaissance Fund.
- His thoughts on the future of Black-led CDFI’s.
-Tony O. Lawson
LISTEN BELOW The post Empowering Black-led CDFIs to Create Wealth in Black Communities appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.