The BOSS Network, in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase and Advancing Black Pathways, will host a two-day virtual event to educate, empower and promote Black female founders on Dec. 4-5.
Black founders receive less than 1% of venture capital funds annually, and Black women founders account for less than that, according to the Harvard Business Review. Through the Minority Merchant Event series, The BOSS Network will provide a platform for Black women to discuss their experiences in launching successful businesses, provide a blueprint on how to build a successful business and share strategies that Black female founders can leverage to gain access to capital.
“The time is now to support these extraordinary women, who are breaking down barriers in technology and their respective industries, even in the midst of a global pandemic and a social unrest that has ignited a national dialogue on systemic racism,” states a press release for the event.
Hosted by Cameka Smith, the founder of The BOSS Network, and presented by JPMorgan Chase and its Advancing Black Pathways initiative, the event will feature a panel discussion on “The State of the Black Female Founder” on Friday, December 4, with Beverly Johnson (Modelprenuer), Racquel Oden (JPMorgan Chase), Eva Robinson (JPMorgan Chase) and Saundra Davis (Sage Financial).
The following day’s event, on December 5, will include the “Reclaim Your Future” business coaching session that will provide insights for Black women entrepreneurs on how to navigate the current economic environment and prepare their business for long-term success with Chase Business Bankers Lavonda Davis and Kanayo Oweazim. The event will also include a performance from singer Tarrey Torae and poet J. Ivy.
Additionally, modeling icon and author Johnson will participate in a fireside chat with Smith.
This event, which will take place over Zoom, is open to the first 100 Black female entrepreneurs at no cost. Register here for Friday and here for Saturday.