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November 5, 2020The ParentPreneur Foundation Gives $10,000 To Ten More Black Entrepreneurs
It’s been about four months since, in the middle of a pandemic, we launched the ParentPreneur Foundation to empower Black parents who are entrepreneurs, so they can leave a legacy for their beautiful Black children. We first announced a $50,000 seed grant from renowned venture capitalist, Brad Feld, and quickly awarded $10,000 in grants to ten outstanding Black ParentPreneurs.
And in three months, we turned $50,000 into $200,000 of value for our community.
Today I am thrilled to announce the next group of ten entrepreneurs to receive a $1,000 grant from the ParentPreneur Foundation.
The grant is called the Sugar Plum Grant, named after my dog, Sugar, that I recently had to put down after ten beautiful years of companionship. Sugar was the most loving, loyal, and consistent being I ever met. With these $1,000 grants, I pray for love, loyalty, and consistency for these ten grant recipients.
Announcing the ParentPreneur Foundation’s next ten recipients of the Sugar Plum Grant
1. James Lopez –Cool4Dads
Our motto is that a dad’s presence never has to be boring and we help dads find cool things to do with their kids. When not hosting our own events or helping brands reach fathers, you can catch us representing for dads of all backgrounds with our written content, videos, and globally recognized podcast, #FatherhoodIsLit.
It’s all about our PRESENCE and we work diligently to show that #PresenceOverPresents is more than a motto, it’s a lifestyle!
I am a father of three boys and husband of one wonderful NYC school teacher named Kimberly. I have been an entrepreneur for the last ten years and found success with our previous company, The Phat Startup.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
Entrepreneurship, just like parenting, can throw you twists and turns at any moment sometimes making you feel like you are going at it alone.
With the ParentPreneur Foundation, I have a community of hustling parents that get me and can provide that proverbial shoulder to lean on when things get rough. It gives me an outlet to ask questions, but from a Parent’s point of view, and with business in mind. It doesn’t get better than that! #bossup
With the grant, I plan to create a more cohesive marketing plan for the podcast.
2. Elissa Frazier- NAVCAP
NAVCAP is a conscious EdTech platform dedicated to creating access to navigational career capital for Black and Latinx graduate professionals in college. We cultivate diverse talent through mentorship & career coaching, place-based and global networking, and professional development. We believe in creating empowering, connected communities. The Fraziers (my husband, our little humans, and I) are a family of six, with three kids in elementary school. And like many, we are navigating the challenges of e-learning while growing our business. Two of our kids are on the Autism spectrum, and we know first-hand how important it is to support students’ social-emotional well-being, positive sense of self, and academics.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
The ParentPrenuer Foundation has been a great resource, a supportive sounding board, and a thriving community with like-minded parents who want to create the best future for their kids and their family. This grant will allow me to launch my business, and move from a passionate idea to a prototype.
I’m really grateful for this grant and I know the best is yet to come.
We are still in development and our projected launch date is March of 2021. I’m a single mother of a beautiful kindergartner. My partner and I started this business back in January and when Covid hit in March, we had to make some changes to how we run our startup business and raise our family.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
The ParentPreneur foundation has truly been a blessing for me and my family. It has connected me with some awesome people, and I’ve learned so much just within the past few months from being in the community.
I received pointers from raising my daughter to being the best entrepreneur I can be. I’m glad I found the ParentPrenuer Foundation and I couldn’t ask for a better community to be a part of.
4. Kunbi Tinuoye – UrbanGeekz
UrbanGeekz is an African American, Latinx, and multicultural digital news platform focused on technology, business, science, and startups. Our mission is to make tech ‘cool’ and accessible while highlighting business, entrepreneurship, and STEM-related fields as exciting and rewarding career paths, especially for women and underrepresented groups. I’m a wife, mother, and ambitious startup founder at the helm of a high-growth multimedia brand. With my busy schedule, I am so grateful for the wonderful support system that’s encouraged me to pursue my passion. I also get to wake up every day to be a role model for my two adorable sons.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me Being an entrepreneur is hard but juggling this journey with young kids comes with a unique set of challenges. This year has been particularly tough, with the demands of virtual schooling alongside running the business.
I’m thankful to be involved in the foundation, a unique forum that supports and empowers parents to be their very best in their personal and professional lives.
5, T. Adeola Osinubi – STEM Whisperers
It is the mission of STEM Whisperers to combat, counter, and reverse the destructive effects of the school-to-prison pipeline and generational poverty in students furthest from opportunity (under-served) with unmet social-emotional needs (at-risk).
STEM Whisperers is a workforce development program that teaches business strategy and digital marketing to under-served and at-risk students within a STEM framework; with an emphasis on building numeracy skills in business storytelling, as well as executive etiquette. I have three children who live in Ohio and Georgia: Elijah (11), Gabrielle (7), and Oliver (4). Their initials spell EGO, so I play that Beyonce song featuring Kanye to remind me of them when I miss them (which is often). I work hard to make sure they all have a bond as siblings, though they’re in different households – as well as have a future free of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
As a non-custodial parent, it’s important to me that my children enjoy themselves when they’re with me. Ice cream at Carvels may seem like a small thing, but it was a positive memory made possible by $50 food gift cards from the ParentPreneur Foundation.
There are nine forms of capital, money is but one. In addition to providing grants, James is a living testament to the importance of leveraging social capital – most notably providing ACCESS to heavy hitters like Seth Godin, Dr. George C. Fraser, and Mario Armstrong.
That alone is worth its weight in gold!
6. Terria Givens – Hair Essentials Company
Hair Essentials Company helps transracial adoptive and foster families learn to give good care to their child’s hair.
It wasn’t until I was approached by a Caucasian mom wanting my services for her Black child and her subsequent referrals to others like her that I became aware of deeper issues transracial adoptive parents face. I bet we all have given a side-eye to the white mom in the grocery store with a Black child whose hair is a wreck!
I became a mother at age 41. As a single mom, it’s been a long road with many trials and pivots to get to Hair Essentials Company. My son is now preparing for college and is on the path to entrepreneurship as well. He said watching me have the courage to go for it is his biggest inspiration!
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me I have joined other groups as more of a lurker. When I read about James and The ParentPreneur Foundation I knew I found my tribe! I made a decision to stay engaged, support others, and contribute to the success of this Foundation.
This grant will help me hire the additional services I need to launch my main online course, Root II Root Academy.
7. Shannette Prince – Africa On My Back
Africa On My Back is a socially conscious fashion brand that sells unique, handcrafted African-print backpacks, bags, and accessories that provide study abroad opportunities for Brilliant Black Boys while supporting small businesses in Ghana.
After seeing my son, who was 14-years-old at the time, quickly embrace the Ghanian culture during our trip to Ghana I knew it was important for African American boys to visit the continent and that Africa On My Back would help provide the opportunity through our backpacks. This past March, that vision was realized when we took seven students to experience Ghana for the first time.
As the mother of two Brilliant Black Boys and an entrepreneur, my life is always exciting. My 18-year-old son, Isaiah, is preparing to graduate from high school, and my 12-year-old is writing the next hit television series. My days are filled with planning for the future while simultaneously savoring the moment.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me Representation matters for children and adults. James, through the Parentprenuer Foundation, has created a space for us ParentPrenuers to learn and grow in a way that is beneficial to the whole person. It is important that I have this space that caters to who I am as an entrepreneur and as a mom because I am both at all times.
Rozalynn, Mike, Gabby, and future commentator son Michael live in Columbia, SC.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me The ParentPreneur Foundation is a family there for one another through the unique challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurial trailblazing and legacy building. I’m grateful for this community.
9. Kewanta Brooks – Elite Kids TV
Elite Kids TV is a comprehensive learning platform enhanced by entertainment and diversity. We are “EdTech with a whole lot of excellence!” We are developing a 21st-century skills curriculum that combines branded animated learning and live-action classes taught by engaging and diverse educators. Our app is in development; however, you can purchase our physical educational resources in our eCommerce store.
My husband’s background in film production coupled with my background in education was only the framework of Elite Kids TV. The birth of my two sons became its pulse and essence.
It is my responsibility to empower, educate, and equip my children to be the best versions of themselves. My responsibility to my boys became my purpose in the most beautiful and life-changing way.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
I can shamelessly admit that I am a member of about a dozen business communities. The ParentPrenuer Foundation is by far the best in terms of quality and timely webinars, active members, and social-emotional support as a parent and entrepreneur.
Receiving this grant is an incredible opportunity, especially for a Black woman entrepreneur. Being a member of the ParentPrenuer family is priceless.
10. Evana Oli – Beautiful Curly Me
Beautiful Curly Me is a lifestyle brand that inspires self-confidence in young black girls through dolls that reflect their natural beauty, hair care accessories, and empowering books.
My daughter, Zoe, had the idea for this company after she overcame self-esteem challenges at 6 years old, and is passionate about motivating other young girls to love and celebrate themselves. We donate 10% back to Girl empowerment organizations.
My husband and I have been blessed with Zoe, a brilliant 8-year-old superstar with whom I get to build a business, and we live in Atlanta, Georgia.
Why the ParentPreneur Foundation matters to me
Being part of a community of parents on the same journey means there is support and a shoulder to lean on every step of the way. It also means that there are friendships and partnerships all waiting to happen.
This grant means a lot for our growing business and we are truly grateful for all the resources the ParentPreneur foundation provides.
I am excited to support these beautiful Black people, their families, and their businesses. And I thank God for them.
If our mission to empower Black ParentPreneurs so they can leave a legacy for their children resonates with you, please make a tax-deductible donation. As little as $25 makes a big difference. If you are a Black ParentPreneur, please join our online community.
More to come. Peace and love,
James
ParentPreneur Foundation CEO
