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 · Marketing Leadership
VIEW PROFILE →Tiyale Hayes
Marketing and audience-development executive at BET and founder of Modulize. He shares expertise in consumer insight, inclusive brand building, media strategy and culturally relevant storytelling.
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 →01Artificial Intelligence
Nashlie Sephus
Artificial-intelligence scientist, technology evangelist and founder working to expand innovation in Mississippi. She explains machine learning, entrepreneurship, economic development and pathways into technology.
02Financial Inclusion
John Hope Bryant
Founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE, entrepreneur, bestselling author, CNBC contributor and podcast host. He publishes about financial literacy, inclusive economics, AI-era opportunity and community wealth.
03Luxury Entrepreneurship
Lola Banjo
Founder and CEO of Silver & Riley and a business leader building a luxury travel-goods company. She shares lessons about product design, global sourcing, brand building and entrepreneurship.
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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Black Biz Daily exists to document, explain and celebrate the companies, founders, executives, investors, authors and thinkers shaping our economic future.
We cover the business stories that matter to our community with seriousness, curiosity and consistency every day.
OUR VISION & PUBLISHER →