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.
Timnit Gebru
Founder and executive director of the Distributed AI Research Institute and a leading researcher on the societal effects of artificial intelligence. She publishes about data, accountability and responsible technology development.
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 →Mutale Nkonde
AI policy researcher, founder of AI for the People and public-interest technology strategist. She explains how governance, bias and representation shape artificial intelligence and its business and social impact.
Lola Bakare
Author of Responsible Marketing, CMO adviser and award-winning strategist. She teaches marketing leaders to connect growth, inclusion, trust and cultural responsibility.
Carla Walker-Miller
Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services and a clean-energy entrepreneur. She shares operator-level lessons about supplier growth, workforce development, energy efficiency and building values-driven companies.
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