WHY HAS META, FIVERR, AND ADD.ORG ALL RELIED ON DR. AJ AUSTIN
“Working with Dr. AJ Austin was fantastic! We worked with 117 Associates from across the US. Dr. AJ led us through a workshop on how to create a very specific message to connect to our donors and members, while engaging them to help support us. Thank you, Dr. Austin.” -Melissa Deitrich
CLIENTS INCLUDE
WATCH DR. AJ AUSTIN ON THE FULTON COUNTY FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE, LADY OF LEGACY DOCUMENTARY TRAILER WHERE THIS GLOBALLY BROADCASTED FEATURE CAPTURES THE EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT SHE BRINGS AT EVENTS!
Full film features debuts with Coach Stormi Wellington, Brandy Harvey, Lisa Nicoles, and Tony Gaskins
MEET DR. AJ AUSTIN
GRANT GUIDE | AWARDEE | ADVISOR
Dear Friend,
This is Dr. AJ Austin. I want to thank you for stopping by my website. I’m not sure exactly how you found me, but I’m glad you did. After going through the website, if you have any questions about my grant presentations, you can reach my office at (770)744-4475 or send an email to info@blackwomeningrants.com.
After winning more than $200,000 in grants and grant-funded opportunities through private organizations like the Meta Business Leaders Network, Vital Voices Venture AI for Impact, TikTok’s Creator Community Program, Intuit IDEAS , Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Data Center Community AI Fellowship, the Goldman Sachs ‘One Million Black Women Black In Business’, the Boss Up COVID Relief Grant, The Chris and Lori Harder Small Business Grant, The She Boss Up Pitch Competition, and the TruFund ‘PitcHER’ Business Pitch Competition, and authoring the top selling book, #FindingFunding, there is a good chance you have experienced one of my signature speeches or perhaps seen a media interview on how to find and secure debt-free, non-traditional funding for your Black woman-owned small business.
Dr. Andrieka J. Austin is a 20x fully-funded fellow, Grant Winner of over $200,000 in grants and grant-funded opportunities, and the Founder and CEO of Black Women In Grants, LLC, an education and mentorship company helping Black women-owned businesses access grants and debt-free, non-traditional non-dilutive capital. She has personally secured grant and program funding and participated in 20+ entrepreneurship, fellowship, and business development programs, including Intuit IDEAS, Goldman Sachs ‘One Million Black Women’ Accelerator in partnership with the New York University Stern School of Business, Vital Voices Ventures AI for Imapct Fellowship, and the Watson Institute Google Data Center AI Fellowship. Through her work, she has coached over 700 entrepreneurs on finding, pursuing, and preparing for small business grant funding opportunities.
My greatest value is knowing which opportunities fit, how to position an application, what funders respond to, and what mistakes keep applicants from being selected. Plus, providing step-by-step how to present yourself, communicate your impact, and position your business to win.
I share exclusive access to opportunities, positioning, visibility, and strategic growth.
You’re investing in two devades of pattern recognition, thousands of applications studied, hundreds of founders coached, and the shortcuts that came from my own wins (and rejections/losses).
My trainings give access to opportunities, positioning, visibility, and strategic growth. That has a different value than a simple talk on “how to ger grants”, a random list of grants, or generic ChatGPT prompts.
You hire me when you don’t want to spend the next few years figuring out what you already know.
I have experience on both sides of the funding conversation as an applicant of debt-free non-traditional funding like grants and grant-funded opportunities; an awardee of multiple six-figures; an advisor to a few grant check writers, and an advocate for future grant winners: I have personally received funding, and I have built a business around teaching other entrepreneurs how to find and pursue it.
I have personally received more than $200,000 in grants, grant-funded opportunities and other non-dilutive funding through competitive business programs and funding opportunities. Most recently, I was selected for the year-long Intuit IDEAS 3.0 program, where I received a $5,000 small business operational grant and a $1,000 technology grant, along with business education, Executive coaching, access to QuickBooks and a team of Bookkeepers, Mailchimp email marketing (premium package), and TurboTax team of experts that filed my taxes (Toatl Value: $20,000+).
I have also participated in 20+ entrepreneurship, fellowship, accelerator, and business leadership/training and development programs, including Goldman Sachs ‘One Million Black Women’ accelerator program in partnership woth the New York University Stern School of Business, Vital Voices Ventures AI for Impact Fellowship Program, the Watson Institute Google Data Center AI Fellowship Program, and Intuit IDEAS. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into how competitive grant-based programs evaluate solo and micro-entrepreneurs, what small business grant funders look for, and what happens after you receive funding to help multiply impact.
Through my company, Black Women In Grants,LLC, I coach Black women entrepreneurs who own U.S.-based for-profit businesses on how to identify legitimate funding opportunities, prepare stronger applications, and understand how to position their businesses for grants and other non-dilutive capital. I have coached hundreds of women through this process, and my community has documented hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding awards.
My perspective is grounded in both personal experience as a founder seeking capital and years of experience teaching other women how to navigate the funding process.
Website:
Social Media Links
www.tiktok.com/@blackwomeningrants
www.linkedin.com/in/drajaustin
www.instagram.com/blackwomeningrantsllc
I’m energetic, positive, upbeat (and a great listener), so I will do my best to talk with you as if we were sitting in a cute cafe chatting over a pumpkin spice chai tea latte and scones, and you just said to me, “Dr. AJ, tell me a little bit about yourself and how we might be able to work together.”
I’m known as a Grant Guide. I’ll explain that in a moment. Over the last year, I have won over two hundred-thousand dollars in grants and grant-funded opportunities, sponsored by some of the largest financial institutions and private organizations on the planet, like Intuit, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Regions Bank, Chase Bank, Target, FedEx, Visa, and more.
Because I have received over $1M in personal funding and have now applied for millions in small business grants and grant-funded opportunities as well as produce my own conferences, coaching, and trainings — I know what to look for and what to look out for.
I am the leading expert on helping Black women access funding, business opportunities, and elite entrepreneurial programs.
I teach Black women how to access the opportunities that change businesses.I help Black women get funded, selected, and connected.
I’m Dr. Andrieka J. Austin, founder and CEO of Black Women In Grants. I’m an educator, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and lifelong learner who genuinely enjoys helping women understand opportunities they once thought were out of reach.
I built Black Women In Grants after experiencing firsthand how difficult it can be to find legitimate funding and understand what funders are actually looking for. What began as my own search for funding grew into a business that teaches Black women who own for-profit businesses how to find, apply for, and pursue grants and other non-dilutive funding.
What I love most is watching a woman’s confidence change when she realizes she is capable of pursuing capital. I love taking something that feels complicated and making it understandable and actionable.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. I’ve coached hundreds of Black women entrepreneurs, helped them pursue funding opportunities, and watched members of our community secure grants, pitch competition awards, and other forms of business funding.
I’m also proud of continuing to put myself in rooms where I am learning. I’ve participated in more than 15 entrepreneurship, fellowship, accelerator, and business development programs, which has given me a firsthand understanding of the different ways women can build businesses, access capital, and grow.
At the heart of my work, I want women to know that they have more options than they may realize when it comes to funding their businesses.
(r) Stormi Wellington
(r) Lisa Nichols (As Seen on Oprah)
(r) Brandi Harvey (Daughter of Steve Harvey)
(r) Terry Vaughn (As Seen On The Steve Harvey Show and Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns)
With all the demands of hosting in-person conference or virtual experience, you will need a professional Trainer who is easy to work with.
I’m about to answer a few critical questions and share some key points to demonstrate how I can help you at a future event. First, I will position each question and then I will give you my answer.
“Dr. AJ, why do you do what you do?”
After experiencing the dropping out of college, dealing with homelessness, the downsizing of my corporate career, and the death of my mom happening on the same day my divorce from a five-year marriage became final, I met a Black lady Life Coach who influenced my destiny. This is where life coaching saved my life!
“What do you mean?”
I wrote a best-selling book and started receiving invitations to speak and share my story throughout my hometown, in spaces that eventually became standing-room only. In 2013, I became a Certified Personal Life Coach and was invited to help train and certify other Life Coaches from around the world.
“You got this, right?…”
When that partnership dissolved, I was asked a simple question, “You got this…right?!”. That one question and the support I had received from others who witnessed my online brand growth as a now Master Life Coach Trainer was all the encouragement I needed to create my own Life Coach Certification Training for Black Christian Women. Then, the pandemic of 2020 forced a pivot from live in-person trainings to hosting my training events online.
AT THIS POINT, I HAD ONE MAJOR GOAL…
I did not want to face being homeless…again…ever! During the global shut down, I worked with a Marketing Mentor who helped me put together the missing marketing pieces of my program to soon-thereafter bring in over $137,456.20 in sales and secure my spot in the top 1% of industry earners – which was when I knew had to totally shift my mindset, and my community to surround myself with other like-minded lady leaders.
Finding Funding
I began receiving requests from women who needed financial assistance to go through The Black Woman Christian Life Coach Certification Self-Study System, so in a philanthropic effort to give back — like my new community had done for me time and again, I began seeking out grants to help offer partial scholarships that allowed women worldwide to complete their Life Coach Certification training with me online. In 2020, during the global shut down, a time of civic and civil unrest, heightened racism, and riots…I won my first $1,000 business grant — and instantly knew this was a cause that truly mattered in the lives of those who sought my assistance.
$27,392 LATER…
Since then, we’ve reinvested over $27,392 in partial scholarship funds back into our coaching community of over 105 new professionally trained, skilled, qualified, Certified Coaches…so far!
Best-Selling Book
I wrote a book on the lessons I’ve learned and my top 25 secrets to finding funding. as a Black woman small business owner with a social mission to help impact generations while leaving a legacy. This book serves as a grant guide and introduction to finding funding through business incubators, accelerators, fellowships and so much more. This success led me deeper into the financial media and literacy space, teaching Black women small business owners how to find funding like grants, scholarships, contests, competitions, giveaways, sponsorships, subsidies, and bursaries.
In June of 2023, I created the @BlackWomenInGrants TikTok channel that has since grown from 400 to nearly 91,100+ followers, and over 250 copies of the #FindingFunding e-book books sold, and a thriving community of Future grant winning Black women small business owners who have collectively applied for (and are beginning to receive) well over $151,559 in grants and grant-funded opportunities within the last 30 days!
“Dr. AJ, how do you engage the audience?”
The answer to this question is critical, because I personally believe in ethical engagement; meaning I share in TRUTH and transparency about the world of grants (like, how you don’t NEED a Grant Writer to apply for business grants…and, how you most first-time grant applicants have (on average) a 20% chance of winning the first grant they apply to — UNTIL, they learn my TOP 3 SECRETS to applying for grants, confidently!).
Unfortunately, this kind of industry insight is rare, and I’m honored to lead the way into how more Black women small business owners can qualify and apply for business grants (with confidence!) for their for-profit business — with no fluff (or gatekeeping).
My education is unique; I hold a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Resources with a specialty in Training and Development (Adult Learning) from Mercer University, with a Masters in Human Services (Life Coaching) from Liberty University underway, an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Grace International Bible University in Christian Psychology, a Life Coach Certification and Master Life Coach Trainer status from The International Science Research Foundation. I’ve also studied how to win grants from the same over 25+ organizations and leaders who have granted me these MILLIONS of dollars in funding (applications, awards, and advisory roles) over the years!
My goal was to learn from and share the space with those who helped pave to get PAID the way for Black Lady Legacy Leavers, using Other People’s Money (OPM).
Millions of dollars personally received in funding, and now tens-of-thousands of dollars in professional / business-based grants and grant-funded opportunities received (and a growing roster of over $1M+ in grant applications currently being submitted — and funding currently being received –collectively within the Black Women In Grants fund-finding community) — I know what it takes to confidently apply for (and successfully WIN) grants and grant-funded opportunities for Black women small business owners.
Strategically matriculating through the Grant Application Process (GAP) is a learned skill (that many are unaware of). Knowing the rules, regulations, and restrictions of The Grant G.A.M.E is my #1 key to developing a phenomenal Grant Application Strategy (GAS) — and securing more funding opportunities. I bring all of this and more to every training for ethical engagement, entrepreneurial education, and economic empowerment for lasting impact for each audience I train.
My trainings are filled with real-time, real-time, reality tv-style grant game-changing results and outcomes. EXAMPLE – in a demonstration of the Black Women In Grants live events (and TikTok channel) community, the a day-in-the-life of a Grant Winner video style below show event attendees, grant winnings, and my grant coaching clients results after applying each of the three taught techniques to finding and securing funding from grants, scholarships, contests, sponsorships, giveaways, subsidies, bursaries, and so much more — in collaboration with colleagues!
NOW…
Previous In-Person Speaking Engagements
Speaking for Newbies
Date: November 2024
Estimated attendance: 30
Host/Producer: Eric Anderson
Intuit IDEAS Program Graduation
Date: September 17, 2026
Estimated attendance: 30
Host/Producer: Intuit IDEAS, Noelle Hyman
Basecamp: How to Find, Apply For, and Win Grants (Using AI)
Date: November 2025
Estimated attendance: 18
Host/Producer: Black Women In Grants, Dr. AJ Austin
Additional Speaking, Teaching & Virtual Events
- ATL Airport Chamber Wednesday Wisdom: “Emotional Intelligence: The Leadership Skill That Changes Everything”
Date: October 17, 2026
Estimated attendance: 40+
Host/Producer: Natasha Bowles-Hamer - Watson Institute Google Data Center AI Community Fellowship Program
Date: December 2025
Estimated attendance: 45
Host/Producer: Watson Institute, Sarah Schubert - How To Win Grants
Dates: July 1–28, 2026
Host/Producer: Black Women In Grants, Dr. AJ Austin - Grant Prep Academy / TikTok LIVE
Dates: 2023–2026
Estimated attendance: 1,000+
Host/Producer: Black Women In Grants, Dr. AJ Austin - The Grant G.A.M.E. Mentorship Program
Dates: December 31, 2024–March 18, 2025
Estimated attendance: 12
Host/Producer: Black Women In Grants, Dr. AJ Austin
See Me Speak:
GRANT APPLICATION GUARANTEE
I stand behind my commitment to ethical engagement, entrepreneurial education, and economic empowerment in the financial literary space for Black women small business owners throughout my trainings and events. I extend that same unwavering commitment to the invaluable services I provide through my Grant Application Guarantee, empowering Black women small business owners in the art of finding and applying for grants.
Here’s my guarantee to event/training attendees and those who book me to speak, teach, train, and coach their members:
The Grant Application Guarantee: At the conclusion of any of my event or training sessions, if you believe that the knowledge and insights shared haven’t equipped your audience with a clear path to securing grants for their Black woman-owned small business, you have the option to re-book me for a future training/event at no cost to you or your organization—no questions asked. I stand by the quality of my trainings and teachings, and your satisfaction is my top priority.
I am confident that, just like with my Grant Application Guarantee, you won’t find the need to invoke this assurance. Every effort will be made to ensure that each attendee leaves not just informed but engaged, educated, and empowered, armed with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the grant landscape successfully.
Your success is my success, and I am dedicated to making sure that every engagement leaves a lasting, positive impact on the journey of Black women small business owners and the organizations that support them, by teaching them how to find, qualify, and apply for the future funding and support they deserve for their Black woman-owned small business.
Let’s work together to unlock the doors to the millions of dollars in grant opportunities and take Black business to new heights.
“Dr. AJ, what are the results we can expect?”
That is an excellent question and my answer might surprise you. It depends on what you need. I have different types of programs I can offer based on your goals. Check out the programs below there, is a brief description of each one.
HOW TO WIN GRANTS
Educational Training + Teaching:
“How To Win Grants” is a practical, educational session designed to help women founders understand how to approach grant funding with greater clarity and intention.
Many entrepreneurs search for grants by asking, “Where can I find free money?” The better question is, “What makes my business a strong fit for this particular funding opportunity?” This session teaches founders how to make that shift.
Dr. AJ Austin will break down the grant process from the founder’s perspective, including how to identify legitimate opportunities, determine whether a grant is actually a fit, understand what funders are looking for, and prepare before submitting an application.
Attendees will learn how to evaluate a grant opportunity beyond the award amount, identify the information they should have ready before applying, and communicate their business story in a way that connects their goals to the funder’s priorities. The session will also address common mistakes that cause strong businesses to submit weak applications, including applying for opportunities that are not a fit, giving generic responses, failing to demonstrate a clear use of funds, and treating the application like a sales pitch instead of a funding proposal.
The session will also introduce practical ways founders can use AI as a support tool during the grant process without allowing AI to replace their voice, experience, or strategy.
By the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of where grants fit within their broader capital strategy and a practical framework they can use to evaluate and pursue future opportunities.
The goal is not simply to help women apply for more grants. It is to help them become more informed, prepared, and strategic when they decide to pursue non-dilutive capital.
By the end of “How To Win Grants,” attendees will be able to:
- Identify where legitimate grant opportunities come from and distinguish a realistic funding opportunity from one that is not a fit for their business.
- Evaluate a grant opportunity before investing time in an application, using the funder’s priorities, eligibility requirements, business stage, and intended use of funds.
- Understand what funders are actually looking for in an application and how to communicate their business story, impact, goals, and use of funds with greater clarity.
- Recognize common mistakes that cause entrepreneurs to submit weak applications, including generic answers, poor positioning, unclear funding requests, and applying for opportunities simply because the award amount is attractive.
- Use AI as a tool to research, organize, brainstorm, and strengthen a grant application while keeping the founder’s own voice, experience, and judgment at the center.
- Develop a more strategic approach to non-dilutive capital and understand how grants can fit alongside other funding options rather than viewing grants as the only source of business capital.
Session Type: Individual Educational Talk
Proposed Title: Beyond the Grant: How Women Founders Can Build a Smarter Capital Strategy
Summary / Description:
Many women entrepreneurs know they need capital, but they do not always know which type of capital makes sense for their business. A grant, loan, pitch competition, fellowship, angel investment, or venture capital can each serve a different purpose, and choosing the wrong type of capital can create challenges a founder did not anticipate.
In this practical educational session, Dr. AJ Austin will help women founders think about capital as a strategic business decision rather than simply a search for money.
Drawing from her experience securing funding, participating in more than 15 entrepreneurship, fellowship, accelerator, and business development programs, and coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs on funding, Dr. Austin will walk attendees through the questions they should ask before pursuing capital.
The session will explore how to assess a business’s current stage, funding needs, growth goals, revenue model, and willingness to take on debt or give up ownership. Attendees will also learn why non-dilutive funding can be an important part of a broader capital strategy and how grants can help founders build capacity before pursuing other forms of capital.
Rather than presenting one funding source as the answer for every founder, the session will give attendees a framework for evaluating their options and understanding the tradeoffs that come with different types of capital.
The goal is for every attendee to leave with a clearer understanding of what kind of capital they should be researching, what questions they need to ask before making an ask, and how to approach funding decisions from a position of greater knowledge.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the major types of capital available to women founders and what each is designed to accomplish.
- Identify the questions to ask before deciding whether to pursue grants, loans, investment, or other funding.
- Understand the tradeoffs between debt, equity, and non-dilutive capital.
- Determine how business stage, revenue, growth plans, and funding needs should influence a founder’s capital strategy.
- Learn how non-dilutive funding can support business growth without requiring a founder to take on debt or give up ownership.
- Leave with a practical framework for evaluating funding opportunities before making the ask.
THE GRANT G.A.M.E
The Grant G.A.M.E is the Grant Application Masterclass for Entrepreneurs who want to know the 3-steps to how to find and secure debt-free, non-traditional funding (like grant checks, scholarships to business training and development programs, sponsorships, subsidies, bursaries, etc.) from a winner’s perspective.
The investment starts at $5,000
(In-person and Virtual Options Available)
This isn’t a simple ninety-minute talk.It’s a production.
Ninety minutes of inspiration for how to think like a grant winner through the introduction of my future grant winner framework.
I also recommend sponsoring your group to join The Grant G.A.M.E Mentorship Program for 3 (additional) months of deeper level support through coaching, feedback, accountability, and application.
Payment is due before the event.
RAVE REVIEWS
“Thank you so much Dr. AJ for creating such an amazing program for people like myself who desperately need grant funding to start and sustain their business, but don’t know where to start.” -Karen Cooper, Candied Creations, LLC
“I have applied for 5 grants since learning from you. I also gained new clients where I am now doing the grant research for them as well. Thankful I was here today!” -Deahna Joi
“Now I have the knowledge to take the right steps…” -Deborah Jackson
RAVE REVIEWS
“Dr. AJ’s event for Black women small business owners] masterclasses were a wonderful experience and learning lesson! The knowledge I learned from her provides me with the tools to build my business on a solid foundation. Dr. AJ, ‘Thank You’ for walking in your purpose and sharing your knowledge.” -British Conley
“The entire grant process is new to me. Therefore, everything that has been discussed is so informative.” -Michelle Cook
“Dr. A J, thank you for all of your time and information you’ve shared with us.” –Tonia Dotson
“It’s definitely worth your time and investment. -L. Whitaker
Next Steps…
Since you’ve made it to this point, there’s a good chance something caught your attention and you want more information about my availability and what it will require for me to come to your event.
For years, I averaged 156 engagements each year. I once spoke at three global events in a twenty-four hour period. Whew! Today, my schedule is far less hectic, but it’s still jam packed.
Anyway, here’s what happens next; Let’s schedule a telephone conversation about your conference or event.
During this call I will answer any additional questions you have about how I might be able to help you.
Naturally, I will ask you some questions too.
Based on what I do best, if I don’t think I’m a good fit for what you are doing I will let you know and make a couple of suggestions that could help you.
If I’m a good fit and the date is available, I will have a Success Blueprint put together that outlines a few options, including the investment. When we move forward with the event you, will look like a genius for bringing me to the event.
Choose One Of These Three Options To Check My Availability
1. Complete the information form at the bottom of this page.
2. Call my office at (770)744-4475.
3. Send an email to info@blackwomeningrants.com
Regardless of the method you choose, provide any information you have about your event, like approximate number of attendees, audience profile and the date of your event, etc.
Calls are returned in 48 hours or less.
Please Note: If you send an e-mail and you don’t receive a response within 3 business days, please call my office because that means we haven’t received it.
So there you have it a thumbnail sketch why I do what I do. Quick reminder if you want to see if I’m available for an upcoming event then call my office at (770) 744-4475 or send an email to info@blackwomeningrants.com.
Thank you for a few moments of your time. Have an Amazing Day!
Before I Forget, I’m Always Asked If I Reached My Goal of Financial Security…
Yes! My home is newly renovated, in my ideal town (just outside of my favorite city — and not too far away from my where I grew up)! The threat of being forced to sleep on the floors and couches of family and old friends prepared me to be a proud homeowner. I’m excited for each day I get to live this type of lifestyle…and I know that it only gets better from here!
Luxury home decor and running The Austin household has become two of my favorite past times where I get to make up for not being here so much sooner!
One of the lessons I’ve learned in The Grant G.A.M.E is that there is always someone currently going through a similar scenario / situation that I’ve recently come out of and it brings me such great joy to teach them exactly what to look for (and what to look out for) when it comes to finding and securing funding to help support their current and future business growth as a Black woman-owned small business owner.
So, there you have it. A thumbnail sketch on why I do what I do. Quick reminder. If you want to see if I’m available for an upcoming event, call my office at (770)744-4475 or send an email to info@blackwomeningrants.com.
Thank you for a few moments of your time. Have an amazing day!
I believe women should be able to approach the capital conversation with the same level of information, confidence, and access as anyone else.
What concerns me is not simply whether women receive capital. It is whether women have access to the information, relationships, networks, and opportunities that help them understand how capital works before they ever make an ask.
In my work, I see women who are building viable businesses but have never been taught how different forms of capital work, what funders are evaluating, how to communicate their financial needs, or how to determine whether a particular funding source is actually right for them.
That is why I believe education matters.
I don’t think every woman needs venture capital. I don’t think every woman needs a loan. And I don’t think every woman needs a grant. The goal should be helping founders understand their options well enough to make informed decisions about what is appropriate for the business they are building.
My work with Black Women In Grants has shown me how powerful it can be when women gain that knowledge. A founder who understands the funding process can walk into a conversation with a clearer understanding of what she needs, what she is asking for, and what she is willing to accept in exchange.
For me, the larger conversation is about access to knowledge and access to opportunity. Women should not have to understand the rules of capital through trial and error. They should have opportunities to learn how the system works and make informed decisions about how they want to participate in it.
I would love for you to know that I am not just interested in speaking at Fund Her Vision. I genuinely want to be part of the conversation.
For the past several years, I have built my business around helping Black women entrepreneurs understand funding. That work has given me a front-row seat to the questions founders are asking, the misconceptions they have about capital, and the moments when a founder realizes that she has more funding options than she thought.
I also continue to put myself in the room as a learner. I have participated in more than 15 entrepreneurship, fellowship, accelerator, and business development programs, including Intuit IDEAS, Goldman Sachs, Vital Voices, and the Watson Institute Google Data Center AI Fellowship. I know what it feels like to be the founder applying, pitching, learning, networking, and trying to figure out which opportunities are actually worth pursuing.
That combination is what I would bring to this event: the perspective of a founder who has pursued capital, an educator who teaches funding, and a woman who is still learning and expanding her own understanding of the capital conversation.
I would also be intentional about making my session practical. I want attendees to leave with information they can actually use when they return to their businesses, not simply inspiration from the stage.
