Black-Owned Tulsa Nonprofit Receives A $50K Grant From Google To Support Women Entrepreneurs

According to a press release, Google’s Global Data Center RISE program has distributed a $50,000 grant to Build In Tulsa. It will allow Women Entrepreneurs Build to launch the W.E. Build accelerator.

Black women entrepreneurs who have early-stage tech-enabled startups will be encouraged to join the first cohort and should expect to receive professional development, support for their personal growth, and wealth-building opportunities.

“Google understands the importance of providing accessible workforce training and education to underserved groups and the transformative impact it can have within the community,” Yolanda Washington, GDC Program Manager – Talent Pipeline Development, said according to a press release. “Through this grant program, we are able to support organizations that are reaching these underrepresented groups and providing them with the skills and training to succeed in tech and other trades. We are proud to support Women Entrepreneurs Build and their efforts to build the future workforce.”

Ashli Sims, Build in Tulsa’s Managing Director said in the news release, “Black women are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs in the country. Build in Tulsa created a program that not only centers Black women, but also helps them overcome the barriers to their success. We’re so excited to work with Google to uplift these female founders.”

More and more organizations are joining the effort to support the fastest-growing category of entrepreneurs. Other organizations include Black Tech Street — which Tyrance Billingsley II created to rebuild wealth in Black communities — and ACT Tulsa, a six-month accelerator that raises equity for Black and Brown-led companies.

Additionally, Tulsa Regional Chamber helps Black entrepreneurs overcome business challenges and reach prosperity by providing support.

“I don’t know any other metro or city that’s really focused on Black women in entrepreneurship and early stage startups, and even Latin women for that matter,” Arthur Jackson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Tulsa Regional Chamber, told AfroTech in an exclusive interview. “We have various groups throughout Tulsa including my organization, Tulsa’s Future, and the Tulsa Regional Chamber, who are not shying away from either proactively reaching out and going after minority owned businesses and startups and tech companies, or being intentional about making sure that we’re fostering growth here and providing a welcoming soft landing for those companies to come in, whether that has to do with incubator space or grant funding.”