Entrepreneurship center
Your Dream, Our Mission: Building Prosperity Together
Black-owned businesses are the heartbeat of thriving communities, fueling innovation, self-sufficiency, and cultural vibrancy. Whether you’re reshaping food culture, redefining procurement, igniting your entrepreneurial spirit, or creating art that connects, we’re here to help you rise. Through our specialized cohorts, we provide the tools, guidance, and connections you need to succeed.
Together, we’re not just building businesses—we’re creating a legacy of prosperity where communities of color in the Washington Metropolitan Area thrive, flourish, and lead. Let’s shape the future, together.
Our
Mission
We’re committed to building viable Black communities by supporting Black-owned businesses. Through our programs, we eliminate barriers to entrepreneurship and accelerate access to resources, ensuring success from startup to expansion.
Our
Vision
To inspire and lead the creation of entrepreneurial mindsets, sustainable businesses, and generational wealth in communities of color across the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Our
Purpose
We offer free and discounted services designed to cultivate competent, successful entrepreneurs who can shape the future.
Cohort Specializations:
Where Passion Meets Expertise
- By Our Hands: Elevating food culture by revolutionizing the culinary world with step-by-step support to launch, sustain, and scale your food service business.
- Contractors’ Pathway to Inclusion: Become procurement-ready with personalized guidance to win contracts, grow revenue, and build multi-generational wealth
- Entrepreneurship Spark:
Turn your ideas into reality with tailored training, resources, and a roadmap to entrepreneurial success.
- Arts & Creative Entrepreneurs
Build your business, connect with resources, and create a lasting legacy as an artist and entrepreneur.
Our Impact
in 2024
In FY 2024, our “By Our Hands” (BOH) program supported PepsiCo BRAP participants through developmental cohorts, expert-led workshops, and exclusive networking events, helping them thrive in the food industry.
By our hands:
Elevating Food Culture
Mission
Equipping food service entrepreneurs with training, resources, and connections to succeed and scale.
Vision
To elevate Black food culture and build a collaborative, innovative ecosystem for food businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Purpose
- Step-by-step guidance to launch food service ventures
- Training in cutting-edge practices and technology
- Networking opportunities within the industry
- Access to funding and contract bidding resources
Contractors’ Pathway to Inclusion
Mission
Guiding contractors through the procurement process with personalized roadmaps for success.
Vision
Accelerate Black contractors’ ability to win and retain contracts, driving job creation and wealth-building opportunities.
Purpose
- Comprehensive bid process guidance
- Tools to scale businesses and create jobs
- Strategic partnerships for long-term success
Entrepreneurship Spark:
Mapping your journey
Mission
Equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to turn passion into profit.
Vision
Foster entrepreneurial mindsets and guide participants from ideation to venture launch.
Purpose
- Explore and nurture entrepreneurial potential
- Develop a creative and resilient mindset
- Provide personalized entrepreneurial roadmaps
- Build placement within the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem
Arts and Creative Entrepreneurs:
Build x Connect x Create
Mission
Nurture Black artists by providing them with the skills and resources to thrive as entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Vision
Transform artists into business owners who lead with creativity and pursue new markets.
Purpose
- Business coaching tailored to creative industries
- Support for licensing and organizing arts-based businesses
- Resources for building wealth and bridging racial economic gaps