Happy Black History Month!
This month, we're proud to have Kai Martin, one of our Entrepreneurship Managers, share a special message with our community on how we can lift up Black immigrant entrepreneurs and showcasing some of our undocumented Black SEED grantees.
We're also excited to host A SEED to Grow the Dream, a SEED grant application clinic for undocumented Black entrepreneurs in California, hosted by Kai herself. Share this newsletter far and wide so that undocumented Black entrepreneurs in your extended networks can access this opportunity.
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In addition, our Entrepreneurship Team is organizing Spark Academy, a series of intensive trainings in Korean, Spanish, and Tagalog to help budding entrepreneurs through the SEED grant application process.
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We'll be hosting more Spark Academy sessions throughout the year until the end of the last SEED Grant cycle, so be sure to stay tuned to our social media and online platforms!
Thank you for all that you do,
The Immigrants Rising team
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Building Upon a Powerful Legacy:
Black Entrepreneurs Shaping History
by Kai Martin, Entrepreneurship Manager
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They are the offspring of Black Royalty with roots that run deep in the African Diaspora. They are skilled entrepreneurs, each striving to leave their mark in the rich and diverse landscape of Black history. They are fashion designers, floral artists, educators, researchers, and content creators. They are DACA recipients, asylum seekers, and undocumented. While the history of Black excellence extends well beyond the month of February, this month, the entrepreneurship team takes a moment to celebrate undocumented Black entrepreneurs and the array of services they offer.
Here are 4 ways you can continue to uplift and support Black owned businesses:
- BUY BLACK!: Below are a few of our undocumented Black entrepreneurs in California. A more comprehensive list of Black-owned businesses in the state can be found here.
- CLOSE THE GAP: By supporting Black businesses you are helping to close the economic wealth gap caused by racial disparities that continue to negatively impact Black communities1.
- BUILD COMMUNITY: Black movement-building matters all year long, not just when it's trending on social media! So don't just tune in to Black Lives Matter or Critical Race Theory during Black History Month. Get connected to groups like UndocuBlack Network who are dismantling stereotypes and empowering communities every day.
- SHARE: The SEED team is here to offer our support for undocumented Black entrepreneurs. Forward this newsletter and encourage someone to apply for a SEED grant.
Below we feature four of our undocumented Black SEED grantees from Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. We welcome your creativity and entrepreneurship ideas among our Cycle 3 applicants. Visit our website to learn more about the SEED grant and how you can apply. Applications for Cycle 3 are due Tuesday, March 2.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
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Creative Designer and Owner, The Petal Effect
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“My undocumented experiences put life into perspective for me, fostered my entrepreneurial journey, and prompted my curiosity for something deeper in the world. It was these subtle imprints that ultimately led me into the magical world of flowers.”
A creative designer with floral designs that capture the heart and illuminate any space, Tobore’s work can be viewed on Instagram @petaleffect and purchased through her website The Petal Effect.
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Creative Designer, Not Your CIS!
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“I come from a third-world country and seeing people of color boxed in based on society's perception is rather problematic and toxic. As I come into my own, I see the need for me to create and I want to ensure I fill a need within my community. The objective of this brand is to ensure black and brown youth have a safe space to be their authentic selves.”
A safe space creator, gender rights advocate, and creative designer, Travis’ work can be viewed on Instagram @NOTYOURCIS and purchased through the online store Not Your CIS.
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“I decided to create UInclude because of my own experiences as a Black immigrant woman with a disability in the STEM field. Each of my marginalized identities have greatly impacted my experiences in the spaces I have occupied. Namely, because I’m usually the “only” something in those spaces. I am driven by the desire to ensure that underrepresented individuals in future generations do not have to bear the burden of being the only ones.”
Co-Founder of UInclude, a Los Angeles based startup whose suite of SaaS products establishes equity in the recruitment process and increases workplace diversity. Their work can be found on Instagram and Twitter @uinclude_co and online at UInclude.
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Creative Designer, Chi Adanna
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“As a Black undocumented woman in America I have to work three times as hard as my white counterparts to achieve the same results. This makes it even more difficult to finance my business with limited jobs that are available primarily to citizens. I started building my own business while in college so that once I graduated, from college instead of looking for a job, I would have created one for myself.”
Culture infused with creativity, the unique designs of Adetomiwa presents royalty looks with a couture flare. These beautiful designs can be viewed online at Chi Adanna.
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