BOSS, Women, achieving, career, goals, goal setting, Entrepreneurs, outside the box
by Atiya Jordan

January 26, 2024

In Celebration Of Its 15th Year, The BOSS Network Unveils Programs For Black Women Entrepreneurs

When Dr. Cameka Smith founded The BOSS Network in 2009, she sought to address the challenges and needs of Black women founders.

The BOSS (Building Our Successful Sisters) Network, an online enterprise of supportive and empowering Black women in business, is celebrating its 15th year with two programs.

BOSS is bringing back its premier program, The BOSS Impact Fund, which provides grants for Black women entrepreneurs and access to a 1-year mentorship program. according to a press release. The organization has also secured partnerships to offer a new training and mentorship program, “Pathways to Success, to support Black women entrepreneurs in Atlanta.

15 Years And Counting

When Dr. Cameka Smith founded The BOSS Network in 2009 she sought to address the challenges and needs of Black women founders. Less than 1% of minority founders receive investment funding for the start of their small business, according to the platform’s website. Now, more than a decade later, Smith boasts a network of over 200,000,. She launched the first BOSS Impact Fund three years ago, investing in 65 Black women founders.

“For the past fifteen years, The BOSS Network has been committed to investing in and equipping Black women entrepreneurs to achieve success in business,” said Smith.

“With Atlanta at the epicenter for Black business, The BOSS Network is excited to partner with Sage and Swoop on this program to not only provide resources, but to also empower them as they go to the next level in their business endeavors.”

THE BOSS Impact Fund

Thanks to a partnership with Sage Foundation, a global organization committed to grant giving and partnership investment with additional funding, The BOSS Impact Fund provides access to capital and entrepreneurial mentorship opportunities. Applications for the collaborative initiative, the Invest in Progress 2024 grant, opened Jan. 22. Twenty-five grants are set to be distributed to Black women founders across the U.S., with seven going directly to Atlanta-based business owners. The program offers $10,000 business grants as well as training, networking, and comprehensive mentorship opportunities with The BOSS Network.

Applications for the Invest in Progress grant are due Feb. 23. Apply here.

Pathways To Success

The Pathways to Success training and mentorship program was developed and delivered through Sage Foundation, and in partnership with Swoop, a global fintech company specializing in funding solutions for businesses.

It is a solution to the most prominent challenges Black women founders in Atlanta face, which include the lack of access to funding and mentorship and ability to digitally scales business growth. In the program, 150 Atlanta-based Black women entrepreneurs will take on a curated series of “training and roundtables, providing tactical advice to address and overcome financial and capital-raising challenges,” the release read. Participants will also receive one year of training access and a three-year membership to The BOSS Network.

To apply, visit the Pathways to Success program website. Applications are due Feb. 5. 

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