Grants, prizes and pitch competitions can help founders access capital, but the rules may include scoring criteria, publicity terms, confidentiality limits, legal waivers or financing structures that deserve close review.
CAPITAL · TODAY
TODAY'S BBD500 SPOTLIGHT · Media Entrepreneurship
VIEW PROFILE →DeShuna Spencer
Founder and CEO of kweliTV and a media entrepreneur. She shares lessons about platform ownership, streaming economics, creator opportunity and sustainable pathways for Black storytellers.
MORE FROM THE BBD500More people
More people
to know.
The BBD500 is Black Biz Daily's curated stage for Black founders, executives, investors, educators, authors, consultants, creators and business authorities whose work deserves to be seen. It is not a popularity ranking; it recognizes useful authority, demonstrated impact and sustained contribution.
EXPLORE THE BBD500 →01Food Technology
Riana Lynn
Founder and CEO of Journey Foods, scientist and technology entrepreneur. She shares insights about artificial intelligence, food systems, data, product development and venture-backed company building.
02Sports Marketing
Melissa M. Proctor
Executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, author and speaker. She shares lessons on brand strategy, sports business, creativity and leadership.
03Digital Marketing
Ashleigh Chanel
Digital marketer and CEO of Make Your Mark Digital Marketing Agency. She helps business owners grow revenue and authority through organic marketing, paid advertising and integrated digital strategy.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHINGThe questions
The questions
shaping what
comes next.
The Brief tells you what matters now. This desk follows the deeper business shifts our newsroom believes deserve sustained attention.
THE CALENDARFOR FOUNDERS · STARTUPS · ENTREPRENEURS
Where our community meets next.
Discover conferences, summits and gatherings worth knowing. Dates and details are verified against official organizer information before publication.
BLACK ENTERPRISE XCEL Summit for Men 2026
ORLANDO, FLORIDA · CONFIRMEDVIEW EVENT →NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange 2026
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA · CONFIRMEDVIEW EVENT →AFROTECH Conference 2026
HOUSTON, TEXAS · CONFIRMEDVIEW EVENT →WHY BLACK BIZ DAILY EXISTS
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