LinkedIn is on a mission to support the Black community.
According to information provided exclusively to AfroTech, LinkedIn will distribute $500,000 in grants to digitalundivided and Blavity.org. The contribution will propel LinkedIn’s Black entrepreneurship fellowship programs and provide new economic pathways for the community. LinkedIn will work alongside the selected organizations to uplift the stories of rising entrepreneurs and instill awareness for additional capital and resources year-round.
“As a company, we are on a journey to create equal access to opportunity and help drive more equitable outcomes. Our strategic partners are essential in that journey and since 2020, we have donated $5 million in funding and services to organizations that support economic and workforce development within the Black community,” LinkedIn said in an article published. “We selected digitalundivided and Blavity.org because of their holistic approach to developing, supporting and funding entrepreneurs—including their focus on leveraging data and storytelling to create more economic growth and generational wealth for Black entrepreneurs and their communities.”
How LinkedIn Will Support Black Entrepreneurs
LinkedIn plans to focus on three key points to propel its efforts: create a thriving ecosystem, celebrate innovation and financial success, and build community in addition to a roadmap for others.
LinkedIn will back its stance by highlighting the entrepreneurial journeys of Black trailblazers. The online service platform plans to encourage the LinkedIn community to support the initiatives and programs created by digitalundivided and Blavity.org.
LinkedIn will also provide educational tools and products, which include LinkedIn Sales Navigator, designed to spearhead partnership building and create revenue.
In addition, Linkedin will leverage its resources by amplifying proprietary research pertaining to the Black entrepreneurship journey. It will host live discussions, offer training and development, spark conversations and work toward building a community that can feel better supported.
LinkedIn To Host Fireside Chat To Amplify Black Trailblazers
LinkedIn wants to encourage its members to join an upcoming live event on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. PST.
The event aims to stir a moment among its members to amplify Black entrepreneurs. The conversation will be led by LinkedIn Director of Market Engagement at The B2B Institute, Ty Heath, CEO of digitalundivided, Lauren Maillian, and Managing Director & Co-Head of Morgan Stanley’s Multicultural Innovation Lab, Alice Vilma.
Listeners can also look forward to a fireside chat featuring “three Black women CEOs who are changing the C-suite:” Elise Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Praxis Labs, Mandy Bowman, CEO of Official Black Wall Street, and Kristina Jones, CEO of Guardian Lane.
To register, click here.
