Blacquity - BEU Programs

Blacquity was founded in 2020 by community and business leaders, with Bridgette Frazier and Billy Watterson at the forefront of this initiative spearheading the conversations and actions to elevate, empower, and promote black-owned business in our community. Both having an entrepreneurial background looked around the community and saw the need and void of representation among black businesses in our area. 

To address this need, a nonprofit organization was formed, to provide resources, training, and support to black owned businesses through the expansion of Black Equity University, a black business directory, and the creation of additional programs. Black Equity University a 12 week accelerator program geared toward creating those foundational business resources and education to entrepreneurs. Motivation Monday, a monthly networking/workshop to further engage local businesses and develop their skill sets, and an advisory council that coaches and develops business plans for these entrepreneurs. 

Blacquity is hyper-focused on connecting business, culture, and creativity while also fueling black business growth. The vision is broader than just providing capital, inviting leaders of financial institutions, philanthropy, government, corporations, and investors to align and collaborate towards a clear set of goals that address systemic barriers. Because of historic discrimination in housing and lending, would-be black business owners have significantly less startup capital than their non-black peers. Blacquity works to create ways to build a supportive ecosystem for black-owned businesses.