Investment firm partners Monique Idlett-Mosley and Erica Duignan Minnihan are level-headed in their approach to allocating capital to companies. Forming Reign Ventures The duo lead Reign Ventures, an early-stage investment fund targeting consumer technology and software startups led by women and minorities. Both founders, who met more than a decade ago during an executive MBA program, bring distinct experiences to their roles, which fall on opposite ends of the spectrum. Idlett-Mosley, co-founder and managing partner, brings 20 years of experience spanning entertainment, marketing, press, and entrepreneurship, and previously worked as CEO for Mosley Brands and Mosley Music Group. Minnihan, co-founder and general partner, has collected 15 years of experience as an investor and advisor. She began her career in investment banking with roles at Citigroup, Credit Suisse, and Cantor Fitzgerald. She later transitioned to venture capital as managing director at DreamIt Ventures, executive...

Tracee Ellis Ross has become an ambassador for a partnership championing Black women entrepreneurs. According to a press release, H&M will carry on its collaboration with Buy From a Black Woman. The nonprofit, created in 2016 by Nikki Porcher, is on a mission to ensure Black women excel in their entrepreneurship journey by providing educational programs, an online directory, and funding, its website states. On the other hand, H&M plans to donate $250,000 toward the nonprofit and sponsor the Buy From a Black Woman Inspire Tour that will spotlight various businesses across the nation. “I feel like part of what’s happening here with H&M and Buy From a Black Woman is this really authentic way to bring attention to Black female entrepreneurs,” Ross told ESSENCE.

Karen Civil continues to be the epitome of #BlackGirlMagic! According to Black Enterprise, the media and marketing maven teamed up with Martell Cognac to continue the celebration of Black History and commemorate Women’s History Month. Together the two created 115 trunks that highlight products created by Black women. The items — which were hand-selected by Civil — were delivered to women of color who are smashing ceilings in their respective fields. While the trunk spotlights Black women-owned businesses, Civil also notes that Martell paid for all of the featured items. “They understood the importance of highlighting female-owned Black businesses, [and] not just the popular ones, but new ones that we should also shed a light on,” said Civil in an interview with Black Enterprise. Each trunk includes a bottle of Martell coupled with items like a box of coffee and a gold mug from Cool Coffee Clique made by The Mane Choice’s Courtney Adeleye , rose herbal infused oil from Herlistic...

Jennifer Hudson and Mastercard are on a mission to uplift Black women-owned businesses! According to Businesswire, the company has announced the Strivers Initiative — a consumer-facing platform that will elevate the visibility of Black female business owners who are overcoming obstacles to grow and maintain their business. Strivers Initiative kicks off with a national ad spot that will not only feature Black women business owners from across the nation, but GRAMMY Award winning singer/songwriter Jennifer Hudson will make an appearance too. The initiative will partner with Fearless VC, a fund built by women of color for women of color, to sponsor a grant program. This will also include a multi-city educational road show to drive awareness of the state of minority and women-owned businesses in cities across the U.S. while also providing insight to actions that cities can take to create an equitable climate. No mountain can stop Black women business owners. Join us and @IAMJHUD – shop,...