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The Kinsey Collection: Unearthing Black History Through Art & Artifact

4 mins read

For over five decades, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, alongside their son Khalil, have woven together a remarkable tapestry of African American history and culture: The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection.

The kinsey collection
Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (Artis Lane 2002)

The Kinsey Collection, encompassing over 25,000 objects, stands as one of the most comprehensive of its kind globally. It’s a testament to the Kinseys’ unwavering passion for preserving and showcasing the triumphs and struggles of Black America across time.

the kinsey collection
The Negro Motorist Green Book (Victor H. Green 1941)

The Kinseys weren’t simply accumulating artifacts; they were embarking on a mission to ensure these stories were never forgotten. Their dedication is evident in the collection’s diversity.

Renowned works by Elizabeth Catlett, Alma Thomas, and Jacob Lawrence share space with lesser-known but equally significant pieces. Everyday objects, captivating photographs, and historical documents offer a poignant glimpse into the lives of ordinary Black Americans throughout the centuries.

the kinsey collection
First Colored Senator and Representatives In the 41st Congress of the United States
(1872)

Unearthing Gems: The Kinsey Acquisition Process

The Kinseys’ approach to collecting wasn’t confined to auction houses or galleries. They actively sought out pieces with personal connections, sometimes unearthing hidden treasures in unexpected places.

A poignant example is a rare first-edition book of poems by Phillis Wheatley. The Kinseys acquired this piece from a descendant of the Wheatley family, ensuring its legacy would continue to inspire.

Their passion for discovery also led them to scour antique shops and flea markets. A keen eye for detail helped them identify a simple yet powerful artifact – a hand-stitched quilt from the Underground Railroad era. This piece, likely a conductor’s map, speaks volumes about the ingenuity and resilience of enslaved people during their fight for freedom.

A Legacy Shared with the World

The Kinseys haven’t limited the impact of their collection. They actively share it with the world through traveling exhibitions. Witnessed by over 15 million people globally, The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection serves as a powerful educational resource.

It creates a deeper understanding of African American history and culture, inspiring dialogue and igniting a sense of appreciation for the enduring spirit of Black America.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection is a monumental tribute to the African American experience. Through their dedication and passion, the Kinsey family has not only preserved a legacy but has also ignited a deeper understanding and appreciation for Black history and culture across the globe.

UPCOMING EVENT

KINSEY COLLECTION AT SOFI STADIUM

Discussing what one of the world’s largest private collections of Black art and historical objects is doing at one of the world’s grandest football stadiums — and why it matters.

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Black Owned Essentials For March 2024

3 mins read

Check out our list of Black owned Essentials for March!

This month, elevate your grooming routine, adorn your mane with unique accessories, and find activewear that keeps you stylish and comfortable.

We’ve also included a brand of children’s products, a luxurious skincare line, and a convenient, delicious breakfast option.

Black Owned Essentials For March

ICONI

Black Owned Essentials for March

ICONI is an activewear line that is equal parts fashionable and functional. From stylish matching sets to T-shirts for men and women, there’s a range of pieces to choose from, whether you’re looking for squat-proof leggings or a new workout tee.

Zigley’s

Zigleys elevates the art of hair adornment for locs, braids, and twists. Their handcrafted jewelry, made from 18-karat gold and diamonds, transforms everyday hairstyles into luxurious statements.

The Cut Buddy

The Cut Buddy Founder Joshua Esnard on the Rise of the Best-Selling Hair Tool

The Cut Buddy is a tool designed to help you achieve a clean and defined beard or hairline at home. It acts as a template or guide, allowing for precise lining up of hair clippers, trimmers, or razors.

Tom Bullock’s Cocktail Shaker Bar Set

Black Owned Essentials for March

Enhance your bartending prowess with Tom Bullock’s 5 pc. Cocktail Shaker Bar Set. Crafted from premium stainless steel, this set ensures quality, convenience, and the perfect mixology experience.

Absolute Joi

Black Owned Essentials for March

Absolute Joi is a skincare brand designed for all skin types and tones. Their gentle, science-backed formulas promote a natural approach to achieving healthy, radiant skin.

Brown & Coconut

Brown & Coconut’s earthy clay mask is infused with deeply purifying plants and herbs that combine forces to calm and clear congested skin.

Spoonful

Spoonful offers convenient, grab-and-go breakfast solutions. Their specialty is pre-made overnight oats packed with natural ingredients, superfoods, and designed for a healthy and delicious on-the-move meal.

Afro Unicorn

No photo description available.

The Afro Unicorn brand celebrates Black culture through empowering children’s books and a vibrant collection of clothing, accessories, and party supplies.

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HarbourView Secures $500 Million to Fuel Music Industry Investments

3 mins read

HarbourView Equity Partners, a leading investment firm in the sports, media, and entertainment space, has secured nearly $500 million in debt financing. This significant capital injection aims to propel the company’s expansion within the music industry.

The financing is unique as it leverages a strategy called “private securitization.” HarbourView’s existing portfolio of music royalties is essentially repackaged into financial instruments similar to bonds, attracting investments. This innovative approach demonstrates the value of intellectual property, particularly music rights, as a viable source of financial backing.

KKR, a renowned investment firm, spearheaded the financing, showcasing strong market interest in asset-based financing strategies, specifically within the entertainment sector. Participation from investment accounts advised by Kuvare Asset Management further bolsters the deal’s significance.

“We are thrilled to partner with KKR on this creative financing solution,” said HarbourView Founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares. “This capital will empower us to pursue exciting new opportunities in the music industry while ensuring creators receive proper recognition for their contributions.”

This $500 million boost comes on the heels of HarbourView expanding its credit facility by $300 million in December 2023. Since its inception in 2021, the company has reportedly amassed $1.6 billion in managed assets and acquired over 50 music catalogs.

The debt financing strengthens HarbourView’s foothold in the music investment landscape. The additional capital allows them to:

  • Invest in new music assets and companies: This could involve acquiring music rights, funding music ventures, or partnering with music creators.
  • Capitalize on the growing music market: The music industry continues to experience significant growth, presenting lucrative investment opportunities.
  • Validate the potential of intellectual property: The deal underscores the financial viability of music rights as collateral, potentially paving the way for similar financing structures in the future.

This deal signifies a potentially significant shift in music industry financing. Traditionally, music rights haven’t held the same weight as tangible assets when seeking capital. However, HarbourView’s success in leveraging their music portfolio for debt financing demonstrates a growing acceptance of intellectual property as a valuable asset class. This could open doors for smaller rights holders and independent artists to explore similar financing options in the future.

Furthermore, the participation of prominent firms like KKR indicates growing institutional investor interest in the music sector. This increased investment activity could lead to a more robust music rights market, potentially benefiting creators through fairer valuations and increased opportunities for monetization.

It’s crucial to monitor the long-term effects of this financing approach. While it presents exciting possibilities, potential risks like overvaluation of music rights or complex financial structures warrant close observation.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Diverse Private Equity Firms Outshine Benchmarks, Raising Questions About Underinvestment

4 mins read

A recent report by the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) has reignited the conversation surrounding diverse-owned private equity firms and their consistent outperformance of industry benchmarks.

Titled “Examining the Returns 2023: Further Evidence of Diverse-Owned Private Equity Firm Outperformance,” the report paints a compelling picture of the expertise and potential within this often-overlooked segment of the investment world.

The report arrives against a backdrop of evolving demographics in the United States. While recent news cycles may paint a picture of heightened public discourse around diversity, the actual landscape is far more nuanced. Based on the 2020 Census, the U.S. population is diversifying rapidly, particularly among younger generations.

The Brookings Institute, analyzing early Census data, found that while 40% of the total population is now considered diverse (up from 30% two decades ago), this figure rises to near parity among those under 16. Similarly, the Census Bureau’s Diversity Index, indicating the probability of two random individuals belonging to different racial or ethnic groups, jumped to 61.1% in 2020, a significant increase from 2010.

This demographic shift underscores the increasing relevance of diverse perspectives in various sectors, including private equity. The NAIC report highlights the superior performance of diverse-owned PE firms:

Superior Returns

From 1998 to September 2022, diverse PE funds (represented by the NAIC Private Equity Index) generated a net Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 17.23%, a net Total Value to Paid-In (TVPI) of 1.68x, and a Distribution to Paid-In Capital (DPI) of 0.66x. These figures significantly surpass the industry benchmarks established by The BURGISS Group.

Outperforming the Median

The NAIC Private Equity Index consistently outperformed the median BURGISS fund across various metrics. For instance, when comparing IRR by vintage year, diverse PE funds outperformed the BURGISS Median Quartile in 66% of the years studied.

Top Quartile Performance

Notably, the NAIC Private Equity Index performed in the top two quartiles (first or second) 72.2% of the time, with 31% of the funds even achieving top quartile net IRRs during the entire period.

These findings challenge the long-held notion that investing in diverse-owned firms comes at the cost of sacrificing returns. In fact, the data suggests the opposite. By allocating capital to diverse PE firms, institutional investors have the potential to not only enhance their returns but also fulfill their fiduciary duty by considering a wider range of investment opportunities.

Despite the clear evidence, the report also highlights a concerning reality: diverse managers manage less than 2% of the industry’s total assets. This underinvestment persists despite the consistent track record of superior performance documented in the NAIC report and previous studies.

As the financial services industry evolves, the call for inclusivity extends beyond moral considerations. The evidence presented in the NAIC report suggests that embracing diversity is not just the right thing to do, but also a strategic and financially sound decision.

By recognizing the talent and potential within diverse-owned firms, investors can unlock significant value for themselves and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous investment landscape.

by Tony O. Lawson

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eu2be: Expressing Artistry in Luxury Skincare

9 mins read

Founded by Charla Jones, eu2be is a skincare brand inspired by a global perspective on beauty and self-care and a deep respect for the power of nature.

eu2be’s products are formulated with biomimetic carrier oils, which are sourced sustainably from around the world and chosen for their ability to nourish and protect the skin.

In this interview, Charla Jones discusses her vision for eu2be, her commitment to sustainability, and her belief in the importance of supporting the arts.

What inspired you to start eu2be? 

Two things really. First, we need to expand our imagination about beauty and align it with our human connection to it. This is a treasured insight I learned from my stylish, world-traveling aunt Eugenia for whom eu2be is named, and my nana, whose Midwestern speakeasy hosted jazz and blues greats like BB King.

These inspiring women were less focused on the “arithmetic of beauty” and more on their birthright to define beauty through whole-body skincare enabled by their agency and proven results.

Secondly, skin needs a new story—one that is defined beyond makeup, mirrors, and the face we present to the world. Skin is so much more than a static covering for the face and body— it has a complex life of its own, with many active layers that impact the quality of our health and our lives.

eu2be

What is your approach to sustainability within eu2be?

Sustainability is a serious priority for us that extends beyond product packaging. It begins with our biomimetic carrier oils that are sustainably sourced from all around the world.

These “best in class” ingredients are whole and non-GMO. We prioritize suppliers who engage in regenerative farming practices to ensure the good for our planet.

Because of timing, Covid, and supply chain issues, it took two years to relaunch our reimagined packaging and new branding. eu2be products are manufactured in the US and our beautiful new product packaging is infinitely sustainable.

We are equally committed to preserving and supporting diverse cultural skincare practices and self-care rituals, especially those that elevate care of the body. This extends to educating about the culturally-prized biomimetic carrier oils in our products.

eu2be

Creating a true luxury experience goes beyond the product itself. How does eu2be approach customer service, packaging, and overall brand communication to deliver an experience that reflects your positioning as a luxury brand?

I agree, although it is no small feat to create a true luxury experience in products.

We approach the luxury experience with great care. We’re a small business operating with a lean, experienced team, competing against larger entities on every front. So we take every customer seriously and we value every single order.

Luxury is a feeling, not a thing, that gets reinforced through careful attention to every touch point with our valued customers. And to your point, the consumer gets these feelings by how these details are executed.

How does the concept of artistic expression play a role in how you approach product development or brand aesthetic?

eu2be was born out of my value for cultural and creative expression, starting with my selection of our biomimetic carrier oils. I began formulating the products in 2012 and we launched in 2015 with proprietary formulas, no shortcuts.

Many cultures and places inspired our brand aesthetic and beauty mindset—Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and West-Central Africa just to name a few. The extraordinary cultural riches, including skincare practices from these places, contribute to what I call, eu2be’s rare blends of “culturally-prized” natural oils.

I think about these things holistically, not just from the perspective of how various natural oils behave with skin but how their cultural impact has endured through generations of engaging our human needs.

For example, mangoes are an important food and skincare staple in Senegal, the buriti seed oil comes from trees Brazilians regard as the “tree of life” and our nangai seed oil is sourced from Vanuatu island in the South Pacific where traditional farming methods are used to extract it from the seed of tropical nangai trees.

In all of these examples, the trees have practical and spiritual significance in culture.

Lastly and personally, I believe we have a human need to be creative. I think it’s tied up with our survival and wellbeing. The very act of self-care involves aesthetics and creative expression. In the same way that our bodies need to feel cared for, we need the arts to nourish our imaginations and souls.

And that’s why eu2be’s philanthropy is committed to our most treasured human resources: human creativity and the arts. Like caring for our skin, the arts carry the power to take us deeper into ourselves.

eu2be

The skincare market is highly competitive. What strategies do you use to differentiate eu2be from other brands?

eu2be’s elegant formulas were specifically designed for function, to be high-performing and multi-tasking. Unlike most other body care products eu2be products are not highly fragrant or composed of the ubiquitous coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils ingredients.

“You to be” treasures who you are and the skin that you have with best-in-class biomimetic carrier oils and proven science to deliver luxurious, moisturizing, premium face-grade skin care discerning consumers demand.

Sustainably sourced from around the world, our powerful biomimetic carrier oils sink into skin easily, hydrate deeply and instantly deliver eu2be’s impressive and superior crowd-pleasing benefits. And our products have more of these oils than most other products.

Carrier oils are the silent workhorses in any skincare formula—they can make or break a product’s efficacy and function. Derived from the most potent parts of a plant, they ‘carry’ naturally existing, bioactive compounds that the body needs but can’t produce.

I think nature designed us in a way that caring for our skin is a conducive regimen for caring for the body and the person we are to become. So our bodies are implicated in our emotional life, not just our physical one. They need more than marketing tropes of trendy miracle ingredients. They need to feel cared for which is why I devised a rare blend of powerful biomimetic carrier oils—prized through generations of skincare traditions, practices, and wisdom to deliver transformative skincare experiences.

And as I said, our philanthropy supports our most treasured resource: human creativity and the arts.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those interested in the beauty industry?

Do your homework. Have a strong vision and know that it’s going to take more of everything you’ve considered. The golden days of having a cool story or great idea are over.

Your product must add real value and be differentiated because IP is critical. Chart your course meticulously and be prepared to make changes along the way that fuel growth. Have an exit strategy from the beginning.

SHOPPE eu2be HERE

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Crowning Glory: How Zigleys is Redefining Luxury Hair Jewelry

3 mins read

Daria Dana, the founder of Zigleys, isn’t just creating luxurious hair jewelry; she’s redefining the narrative around Black hair and its adornment.

Her journey began with a personal observation – a realization that while she adorned herself with exquisite jewelry, her “crown,” her natural hair, lacked the same level of refinement. This sparked a fire within her, and fueled by a deep love for her heritage and a desire to empower others, Zigleys was born.

Zigleys
Daria Dana, the founder of Zigleys

Driven by the vision of “jewelry for your crown, fit for royalty,” Daria embarked on a year-long mission to bring her vision to life. From meticulously selecting the name – a tribute to her father’s nickname for her and a symbol of the brand’s unique identity – to collaborating with skilled artisans in New York City, each step was taken with intention and deep respect for craftsmanship.

The result? A collection of exquisite hair jewelry pieces, handcrafted in 18-karat gold, some adorned with diamonds, designed to celebrate and elevate the beauty of locs, braids, and twists.

Beyond the undeniable elegance of the pieces, Zigleys carries a deeper significance. It’s a celebration of Black culture and history, where intricate hair adornment has held deep meaning for centuries. Daria weaves this rich heritage into each design, ensuring every piece is not just an accessory, but a symbol of pride, resilience, and cultural significance.

The brand’s impact extends beyond aesthetics. Zigleys is actively involved in fostering conversations about Black hair, challenging negative stereotypes, and promoting self-love within the community.

Daria’s optimism, fueled by her unwavering belief in following her intuition and purpose, is a cornerstone of Zigleys’ journey. She embodies the spirit of the brand – one that celebrates individuality, empowers self-expression, and honors the cultural richness of Black hair.

As Zigleys expands, offering not just exquisite adornments but also venturing into high-end hair care, one thing remains certain: Daria Dana and Zigleys are on a mission to redefine the narrative, ensuring that the Black community has access to the very best, not just in hair care and adornment, but in the way their cultural expressions are valued and celebrated.

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KLIQ Secures €1.4 Million to Empower Creators as Business Owners

3 mins read

London-based KLIQ, a no-code business infrastructure platform empowering creators and solopreneurs, recently announced that it has secured €1.4 million in pre-seed funding.

The round was led by Serena Ventures, the early-stage venture capital firm established by tennis legend Serena Williams, which focuses on supporting founders from underrepresented backgrounds.

KLIQ empowers creators, regardless of their niche, to build and manage their own communities and businesses. This allows them to break free from dependence on major social media platforms and establish sustainable long-term careers.

The creator economy is experiencing explosive growth, with estimates suggesting it will reach a staggering half a trillion dollars in the next five years. However, this prosperity is not evenly distributed. According to Goldman Sachs, only around 4% of creators make over $100,000 annually, with the top earners often leveraging their audience beyond major platforms.

KLIQ aims to address this imbalance and empower creators as Ben Camara, founder and CEO of KLIQ, puts it: “KLIQ’s mission is to shift the creator paradigm from content generation to comprehensive business ownership,” Camara added, “We’re not just helping people create content; it’s about creating a business.”

KLIQ’s platform provides the tools and resources creators need to go beyond content creation and become business owners. Here are some of the features KLIQ offers:

  • No-code app development: Creators can build and manage their own branded apps without needing programming expertise.
  • Monetization tools: KLIQ facilitates various income streams, including subscriptions, pay-per-view content, and merchandise sales.
  • AI-powered business insights: Their AI Business Assistant provides valuable data and analytics to help creators understand their audience and optimize their strategies.

Camara emphasizes the urgency of KLIQ’s mission, particularly “amidst the backdrop of a potential TikTok ban and the volatility of digital advertising.” KLIQ’s solution offers creators a path to independence and resilience in the ever-changing social media landscape.

This funding round highlights the growing investor confidence in KLIQ’s potential to empower creators and reshape the creator economy. The participation of Serena Ventures, alongside existing investors like Techstars and former footballer Kieran Gibbs, underscores the diverse support KLIQ has garnered.

With this fresh capital injection, KLIQ is poised to empower creators to build sustainable businesses, own their data, and take control of their financial futures.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Keepingly: Using Technology to Empower Smarter Homeownership

9 mins read

Keepingly is a platform that aims to make owning a home easier. By combining tech expertise with insight into what homeowners need, they want to make homeownership simpler, more empowering, and sustainable.

In this interview, Keepingly’s founder, Daniel Smith discusses how the started, what makes it unique, and where it’s headed, showing a new way to think about owning and caring for a home.

What motivated you to create Keepingly?

Keepingly was birthed out of my personal experiences as a homeowner, coupled with a noticeable void in effective tools to streamline the homeownership process. Conversations with fellow homeowners revealed a common thread: the journey of managing a home, with its myriad responsibilities from routine upkeep to financial management, often felt daunting.

Having spent several years in technology and previously managing Product for the Internet of Things, reinforced by research, highlighted the intricate challenges homeowners face, particularly in maintaining their most significant asset. Conceived as a direct response to these challenges, We aim to simplify various facets of homeownership, rendering it more accessible, manageable, and sustainable for families and individuals. 

At the heart of our mission is our commitment to Homeownership Sustainability, focusing on equipping homeowners with the necessary knowledge and tools to make well-informed decisions regarding their properties.

Our platform offers a centralized system for document storage, ensuring documents are easily retrievable, with features that aid in maintenance tracking and property appraisal. Our goal is to encourage homeowners to embrace practices that assist them to manage, maintain, and grow the value of their largest asset. 

How does Keepingly differentiate itself from other home management platforms?

Keepingly sets itself apart by emphasizing the entire homeowner journey, equipping homeowners with comprehensive tools and insights from the initial purchase to long-term management and eventual sale.

Our platform is designed to empower homeowners at every stage, providing an intuitive, accessible, and engaging user experience. Some of the features we are really proud of include:

  • Data-Driven Appraisal – Keepingly’s focus on the appraisal process ensures homeowners can capture the full value of their investments, collaborating with appraisers to account for property enhancements. Our distinct approach positions Keepingly beyond mere maintenance or financial management platforms, we offer a holistic solution for homeowners.
  • Our maintenance checklist offers a structured approach to property upkeep. This empowers homeowners to make informed decisions, fostering proactive property management.  
  • Homeowner Score – Our unique scoring methodology delivers deep insights into the impact of homeowners’ actions on their property’s value and health. Keepingly rewards homeowners with a tangible metric that reflects their efforts, encouraging ongoing engagement.
  • Keepwize with Keepingly – Our podcast in Season 1 has become a Top 20 Podcast for homeowners. It is designed to really discuss the issues that are relevant to the Homeowner’s journey and experience. We discuss what homeowners should be focused on and how they can make the best decisions around their most important asset. 

How do you ensure the security and privacy of users’ sensitive home-related information?

At Keepingly, safeguarding our users’ data is a top priority. We employ robust encryption methods to protect data both in transit and at rest, ensuring that all communication is secure and stored data is shielded from unauthorized access.

Our security measures include regular system audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities, strict access controls to limit data access and two-factor authentication for an added layer of account security.

Keepingly upholds a strict policy against selling user data, emphasizing our dedication to user privacy. Users retain full control over their data, with clear consent required for any data collection, the ability to easily export, and transparent policies that govern data sharing. 

Our approach not only ensures compliance with data protection standards but also fosters trust and transparency with our users, reinforcing Keepingly’s position as a secure and user-centric Homeownership Sustainability platform.

In what ways does Keepingly support collaboration and communication among homeowners, contractors, and other relevant parties involved in home management and improvement projects?

Keepingly focuses on the relationship between Real Estate Agents/ Brokers and Homeowners and lays a solid groundwork for document management and organization.

The platform’s ability to store and categorize essential homeownership documents like closing documents, mortgage details, insurance policies, utility records, maintenance receipts, expenses, and renovations is crucial for enhancing homeowners’ efficiency and peace of mind.

This is instrumental in ensuring that homeowners can access critical information swiftly and reliably, thereby streamlining the post-purchase phase of homeownership.

Future functionality for contractors includes 

  • Real-Time Document Sharing will be implemented in future versions of the platform. 
  • Allowing vendors and other stakeholders seamless access for sharing documents into the platform.
  • Vendor-planned features would allow better management of the relationship with the homeowner

Could you share any success stories or notable instances where Keepingly has helped homeowners manage and maintain their homes effectively?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with stories that highlight the real impact Keepingly has had on simplifying homeownership and reducing the stress that often accompanies it. The feedback also allowed us to hone in on the experience and what we needed to enhance the platform. 

One new homeowner spoke about the volume of documents and the ongoing maintenance her new home required. Keepingly became their go-to solution. They were particularly impressed by how the platform stored and allowed them to consolidate all her homeownership documents in one secure, easily accessible location.

Another client shared how Keepingly’s maintenance checklist feature was eye-opening and helpful for him as he didn’t realize all the things that he needed to be aware of. It helped him establish a proactive maintenance schedule and to ensure that his home’s systems were serviced thus preventing costly emergency repairs. 

One homeowner was especially happy with the expense feature which allowed them to know exactly what they spent on their home. 

For our theme these instances embody our core mission: to empower homeowners by providing the tools, resources, and support homeowners require to manage their homes efficiently. The Keepingly team is committed to evolving and improving the Keepingly platform and ensuring homeownership sustainability. 

Where do you see your company in the next 5 years?

In the next five years, Keepingly is set to define Homeownership Sustainability, establishing our platform as the leading platform for homeowners. Our vision is to make Keepingly synonymous with simplicity, efficiency, and empowerment in the realm of homeownership.

This journey will be characterized by relentless innovation, enhancements centered around user needs, and a steadfast dedication to fostering a sustainable and supportive ecosystem for homeowners.

Our commitment will not only enhance the homeownership experience but also contribute to a more sustainable and community-oriented approach to managing homes.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Uncle Nearest Launches Second Annual HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge

3 mins read

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the world’s leading Black-owned spirits brand, is proud to launch its second annual HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, a nationwide initiative dedicated to supporting HBCUs.

Intending to raise $1.4 million, this inspiring initiative aims to provide one full tuition scholarship at each accredited HBCU nationwide.

The campaign, which commenced on January 15, 2024 (in honor of MLK Jr. Day) and will culminate on June 19, 2024 (in honor of Juneteenth), two pivotal dates in Black American history, invites individuals nationwide to participate in the fundraising effort.

Highlighting the vital role of HBCUs in fostering academic excellence and driving equity, the initiative underscores the need to address historical underfunding. Despite constituting less than 3% of the nation’s colleges, HBCUs have consistently produced a significant percentage of Black professionals, including doctors, attorneys, and judges.

Fawn Weaver, CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest emphasizes the brand’s commitment to ensuring financial barriers do not hinder talented students from receiving the education they deserve. Weaver shares, “Before we sold our first bottle of Uncle Nearest, we were already funding the college education of Nearest Green’s descendants. Every semester, writing those checks brought me immense joy, knowing the significant impact they would have on each student’s life. This same feeling resurfaced when I began writing tuition checks to HBCUs for our Old Fashioned Challenge. It’s an honor, and my hope is that we can continue this tradition annually with the checks growing larger as the Uncle Nearest whiskey family expands.”

“Uncle Nearest gives a lot, with ‘pulling as we climb’ being part of our DNA right from the start,” said Victoria Eady Butler, great-great-granddaughter of Nearest Green and four-time Master Blender of the Year. “But this challenge is something special, ’cause we’re inviting our whiskey family to join us in giving back. Seeing the excitement from them, and our thousands of retail, restaurant, bar, hotel, and airline partners across the country even before this year’s challenge kicked off, well, that lets me know we’ve started something extraordinary. To our whiskey family and partners everywhere, thank y’all!”

For more information on the HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, including a list of participating bars, restaurants, and retailers, and to follow along on the road to $1.4 million raised, visit www.oldfashionedcocktail.com.

Black Tech Nation Ventures Raises $50M to Fuel Diverse Tech Startups

2 mins read

Black Tech Nation Ventures (BTN.vc), a venture capital firm committed to empowering Black and diverse founders in the tech sector, announced the successful closing of its $50 million inaugural fund on February 28, 2024. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the firm’s mission to bridge the funding gap for historically underrepresented groups in the tech industry.

The newly secured fund will primarily target pre-seed and seed-stage software and enterprise-focused startups led by Black, Latinx, female, indigenous and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who have the potential to generate outsized returns. “We set up BTN.vc to equip and train a new generation of more diverse entrepreneurs and investors,” said David Motley, one of three general partners. “We are committed to providing intellectual as well as financial capital to help our founders navigate growing a successful company and opening up opportunities for future venture capitalists who are Black or diverse to participate in the industry.”

The firm has already invested in 10 companies in cities including AtlantaBostonDistrict of ColumbiaIndianapolisNew York, and Pittsburgh. These include; EMTECH, a fintech infrastructure company; Goodfynd, an enterprise solutions provider for food truckers and mobile vendors; The Folklore, an e-commerce platform connecting brands from the African continent to premium retailers in the US; and Kloopify, provider of supply chain sustainability analytics. Multiple investments have already secured up-round follow on funding.

BTN.vc expects to back 20-30 companies from its inaugural fund, typically seeking entry at the pre-seed and seed stages with checks in the $250,000 to $1M range. The firm has led, co-led and or helped complete funding rounds.

The team has built a unique deal funnel to match its investment focus, which includes diverse professional development groups, top tier research universities, and historically Black colleges and universities.

 

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