American Express Commits $2.5M to “100 for 100” Program to Invest in the Future of Black Women Entrepreneurs in the U.S.
Today, American Express (NYSE: AXP) revealed the 100 Black women entrepreneurs selected for its “100 for 100” program, which will provide each with grants of $25,000 and 100 days of business resources, including business education, mentorship, marketing, virtual networking, WorkSpaces by Hilton hotel reservation credits and more. American Express created this program in partnership with IFundWomen of Color, the leading platform for women of color to raise capital, to support Black women entrepreneurs as they work to jump start and grow their business ventures. The initiative is part of American Express’ recently announced $1 billion action plan to enhance diverse representation and promote equal opportunities for its colleagues, customers and communities.
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The 100 entrepreneurs joining the American Express “100 for 100” program (Photo: Business Wire)
Prior to the pandemic, Black-women-owned businesses were growing at unprecedented rates yet still making less revenue than their counterparts. In fact, according to last year’s State of Women-Owned Business report, commissioned by American Express, Black, women entrepreneurs were founding 763 new businesses every day – making them the fastest growing entrepreneur group in America. Yet, they still do not have equal access to the resources they need to grow and be successful.
“American Express is proud to support the highly talented and innovative entrepreneurs selected for our 100 for 100 program, as they kick start their ventures and keep the momentum going so their businesses can continue to evolve,” said Clayton Ruebensaal, EVP Global B2B Marketing, American Express. “The Black women entrepreneurs selected for the program have created many types of innovative, early-stage businesses across the country, inspiring and carving new paths for others to follow. Their business plans demonstrate that great ideas often come out in times of hardship, and American Express is committed to continuing to back small businesses and advance equal opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly during these challenging times.”
“Through our years of experience with businesses in need of funding, we have found $25,000 can truly change the trajectory of an emerging business. It could be the difference between one month of rent or five months, between being able to develop a decent prototype or a prototype that’s really not-so-great, and between doing real consumer testing or no testing at all. It means a business can do marketing to promote their product or service to drive more revenue and they can afford more payroll. We are thrilled to work with American Express to provide a meaningful difference for these inspiring 100 Black women-owned businesses, so they can grow and succeed,“ said Karen Cahn, Founder and CEO, IFundWomen.
100 DAYS OF RESOURCES
The “100 for 100” program is part of American Express’ broader commitment to provide access to capital and financial education to at least 250,000 Black-owned small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. by the end of 2024, to help them navigate today’s environment and thrive into the future.
The 100 days of business education for the entrepreneurs will kick off virtually in January 2021, with a tailored curriculum focused on topics for early-stage companies such as managing cashflow and growth, securing and maintaining customer relationships and finding balance, all taught by industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs. Many of the experts teaching the curriculum will also serve as mentors to the 100 women throughout the program, sharing insights during coaching sessions to help these entrepreneurs navigate business challenges and find the path towards growth.
Other resources for the women include marketing support from American Express to drive awareness of the entrepreneurs and their businesses across a variety of channels, complimentary access to a one-year premium subscription with the sleep and mediation app Calm and a $1,000 credit to use towards WorkSpaces by Hilton, a new work-from-hotel solution that provides guests with a private, distraction-free work space to increase efficiency, all backed by the elevated cleanliness standards of Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection. Hilton, a longstanding American Express partner, is also offering Hilton Honors Diamond status to the 100 women, to help plus-up their work-from-hotel experience and provide valuable, elite benefits. The 100 days of resources will culminate with an online event hosted on the Amex Virtual Campus, bringing the women together for networking, informative panels and more.
Resources also include Business Class from American Express - a modern business education platform offering world-class know-how and essential insights to help entrepreneurs navigate the current environment – available to anyone, all at no cost.
100 BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
American Express worked closely with IFundWomen of Color to select and surprise 100 unique and passionate innovators across a number of different industries including fashion and beauty, food and beverage, finance, fitness and wellness, home goods and apparel, technology, social good and more. Many of the women are also creating content and fostering communities to empower the next class of Black women leaders.
Here are the 100 Black women entrepreneurs joining American Express’ “100 for 100” program:
Name
Business
Location
Ahlilah Longmire
Ascot Manor
Long Island City, New York
Alex McConney
HOOP YORK CITY LLC
Brooklyn, New York
Alex Steinman
The Coven
St. Paul, Minnesota
Alyscia Cunningham
Her House Media
Silver Spring, Maryland
Alyssa Ackerman
Booked ‘N Busy
New York, New York
Andrea Osei
Osei en Rose
Maplewood, New Jersey
Angela Hawkins
Bamblu
Atlanta, Georgia
Angela Richardson
PUR Home
Pahrump, Nevada
Anna Gilchrist
Sandfish Publishing LLC
Harrison, New Jersey
Ashlee Ammons
Mixtroz
Birmingham, Alabama
Ashley (Elbi) Elm
The Culturist Union
Guyton, Georgia
Ashley Sodipo
Pink Flamingo Party Co.
Brooklyn, New York
Bea Arthur
The Difference
New York, New York
Berly Cordero
Women's Worth, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
Bianca Jackson
BrickRose Exchange
Baltimore, Maryland
Briaan Barron
Grail
Seattle, Washington
Brianna Hairlson
Bri's Dance Place
Gary, Indiana
Bridgette Wallace
G|Code,Inc
Boston, Massachusetts
Brittany Cribbs
Cloud 9 Easy Go, LLC
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Brittany Rhodes
Black Girl MATHgic
Detroit, Michigan
Carina Glover
HerHeadquarters
Omaha, Nebraska
Chavonne Hodges
GrillzandGranola
East Elmhurst, New York
Cheryl Ingram
Inclusology
Calabasas, California
Christa Lynch
Brooklyn Braised
Brooklyn, New York
Christiannah Oyedeji
Trymyfab
Decatur, Georgia
Christine Wachira
The Wachira Group LLC dba Wachira Wines
Oakland, California
Crystal Hines
Super Media Company LLC
Los Angeles, California
Cydnie Smith- McCarthy
Drink Mamey
Portland, Oregon
Dainelle Riley
HBCU Culture Shop
Tampa, Florida
Day Bibb
Helen Rose Skincare
Vancouver, Washington
Del Martin
L'abio Couture
Atlanta, Georgia
Diana Hilaire
When She Comes Home
Brooklyn, New York
Dinai Yelverton
Perfect Vision 2020 (The uDe Agency LLC)
Lansing, Illinois
Domonique Townsend
Work Life Success
Nashville, Tennessee
Elayne Fluker
SiS Academy
Decatur, Georgia
Elisa Molina
COVEDOZA LLC
Tucker, Georgia
Elizabeth Gay
Ìpàdé
Washington, D.C.
Elorm Dela-Seshie
Adorn Me Africa
Mansfield, Massachusetts
Esther Wallace
Playa Society
Boston, Massachusetts
Fikile Mthwalo
Glubbs
New York City, New York
Ife Obi
The Fit In
Brooklyn, New York
Jasmine RuKim
Monicat Data
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Jimanekia Eborn
Tending The Garden
Chino, California
ChiChi Anyanwu
CHI Talent Management
New York, New York
Joy Lindsay
Butterfly Dreamz, Inc.
Newark, New Jersey
Jules Porter
Seraph 7 Studios
St. Paul, Minnesota
Kalilah Wright
Mess In a Bottle
Baltimore, Maryland
Kamilah Mitchell
Teas With Meaning
Oakland, California
Karen Wilson
ChildNEXUS, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Khadijat AKA Khadi Olagoke
Sober Black Girls Club, Inc.
Staten Island, New York
Kim Roxie
LAMIK Beauty
Houston, Texas
Kisha Howell
The Harambee Collective
New York, New York
Laci Chisholm
Fit4Dance
Brooklyn, New York
Lalese Stamps
Lolly Lolly Ceramics
Columbus, Ohio
LaSonya Winstead
Harmony Wines
Charlotte, North Carolina
LaToya Stirrup
KAZMALEJE
Cutler Bay, Florida
Lindsey Murphy
The Fab Lab // MurphMedia LLC
Portland, Oregon
Lundyn Carter
Laine London
Atlanta, Georgia
Maghan Morin
Thynk Global
Miami, Florida
Makeda Mikael
Makeda Mikael Work Bags
Bethesda, Maryland
Mandi Masden
Apostrophe Puzzles
Brooklyn, New York
María Lara Bregatta
Café Mamajuana
Colchester, Vermont
Marsha Stephanson
Cater to Mom
Pflugerville, Texas
Marty McDonald
Boss Women Media
Dallas, Texas
Maryam Ajayi
Dive in Well
Los Angeles, California
Melissa Mueller- Douglas, LMSW
MYRetreat
East Rochester, New York
Michelle Walton
The Collective - Oakland
Oakland, California
Mikki Hernandez
MixedKids&Co
Los Angeles, California
Monica McCoy
Monica Motivates, LLC
Conyers, Georgia
Nadirah Simmons
The Gumbo
Brooklyn, New York
naj austin
ethel's club
Brooklyn, New York
Nicole Fenner
Sister Girl Publishing LLC
Halifax, North Carolina
Nikki Porcher
Buy From A Black Woman
Atlanta, Georgia
Odessa Jenkins
Women's National Football Conference
Rowlett, Texas
Paulana Lamonier
Black People Will Swim
Uniondale, New York
Phylicia Benjamin
Perfect Score Athletic Training Center
Gardena, California
Queen Precious-Jewel Zabriskie
Indulge Catering, LLC
Durham, North Carolina
Reese Scott
Women's World of Boxing
New York, New York
Renee Bobb
Music City Icons Professional Women's Basketball Team
Nashville, Tennessee
Rose Hall
Tessie’s Teas
Coral Springs, Florida
Ruth Jean-Marie
The August Project
Brooklyn, New York
Salma Nakhlawi
StrongHER Girls
Brooklyn, New York
Samantha Sinclair
Pathway To Purpose
Brooklyn, New York
Samia Bingham
Flavors
Fort Washington, Maryland
Sandra Johnson
Global Mobile Finance, Inc.
Cary, North Carolina
Shannon Leon
VPack For Women
Homestead, Florida
Shauntavia Ward
eleMINT Skin Health & Wellness Studio
Austin, Texas
Sherin Dawud
Power Pump Girls
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sissi Johnson
SelfSells
New York, New York
T'Nisha Symone Glenn
BLAQUE Inc.
Jamaica, New York
Tammeca Rochester
Harlem Cycle
New York, New York
Taylor Long
Nomads Swimwear
Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiffany Days
The Communal Group
Atlanta, Georgia
Tracie Shelton
Alamo Kitchens
San Antonio, Texas
Tracy Skelly
The Little Cocoa Bean Co.
Boston, Massachusetts
Trenelle Doyle
Go Girl Ride LLC
Portland, Oregon
Trista Sanford
Bespoke Bakery & Dessert Bar
Graham, North Carolina
Victoria-Pearl Wright
The Creative’s Corner Support Fund
Houston, Texas
Whitney Osei-Akintaju
Ethnic District
Duluth, Georgia
Yosara Trujillo
Sweet Water Dance & Yoga
Bronx, New York
Learn more about the “100 for 100” program at AmericanExpress.com/100for100.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, InAuth, corporate card, business travel, and corporate responsibility.
ABOUT IFUNDWOMEN OF COLOR
IFundWomen of Color is the go-to funding resource for diverse, early-stage entrepreneurs, providing access to capital via crowdfunding and providing grants, coaching, and the connections needed to launch and grow successful businesses. Learn more at ifundwomen.com/woc and connect with IFundWomen on facebook.com/ifundwomen, instagram.com/ifundwomen, linkedin.com/company/ifundwomen, and twitter.com/fundwomen.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201119005329/en/