Mission

Black Connect’s mission is to eliminate the racial wealth gap in America by increasing the number and success rate of Black-owned businesses and advancing pathways to build Black wealth through entrepreneurship.

The organization focuses on improving the economic conditions of American Descendants of Slaves (ADOS) in low to moderate income communities.  It is founded upon the belief that economic independence, achieved through business ownership, is the foundation of not only Black wealth, but also civil rights for Black Americans and it is the only national 501(c)(3) membership and chapter-based organization of its kind in America.

The First 5 Years: 2019 - 2024

Program Development

Due to a lack of resources 80% of Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months and less than 10% of the 20% that survive make it to 5 years.  Black Connect’s holistic approach addresses the absence of resources that contribute to the low success rate of Black-owned businesses and fuel the racial wealth gap. In addition to programs and services that facilitate business development, we advocate for equity and inclusion in spaces and opportunities that help our members gain exposure and increase sales. The organization’s signature programs and initiatives were designed and led by Angela Majette, Black Connect’s founder and National President.

Small Business Legal Services Program (Gaps in the Civil Justice System)

Black Connect’s Founder, Angela Majette, used her experience and connections in the legal field to create a legal program that would held stop the loss of wealth caused by lack of access to legal representation and Black Connect now operates the largest national pro bono legal services program that connects Black entrepreneurs with free business-related legal assistance.  Local Black Connect chapters also host small business legal clinics in their respective cities to help them avoid costly legal mistakes and build sustainable businesses.

FeverPitch (The Funding Gap)

FeverPitch is Black Connect’s annual pitch competition that provides a platform for Black entrepreneurs and business owners,, who receive less that 2% of venture capital, to attract investors and customers and FeverPitch boosts Black Connect’s startup ecosystem and by bringing entrepreneurs, corporates, investors and the public together, helping to foster innovation and networking hubs and cultivate a pipeline of entrepreneurs.  FeverPitch has provided Black entrepreneurs with over $50,000 in capital for their businesses.

Pro Bono Financial Planning (Financial Guidance)

Black Connect’s Pro Bono Financial Planning Program assists Black Connect members in understanding and improving their personal and/or business finances and charting a path to build generational wealth. Black Connect’s network of  Certified Financial Planners (“CFPs”) work one-on-one with Black Connect members remotely to help them build confidence in managing their own money and reaching the goals they set for themselves in the areas of personal finances, business finances, retirement planning, and estate planning.

Business Mentoring (The Labor/Talent Gap)

Ninety-six percent (96%) of Black-owned businesses have no employees. Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs lack sufficient capital to enable them to recruit, hire and retain essential talent. Our Business Mentoring Program, Financial Management for Entrepreneurs Cohort, and Pro Bono Financial Planning Program match entrepreneurs with talented professionals who share their knowledge and provide small business owners with valuable guidance, insight, and direction along their entrepreneurial journeys. These programs are delivered in virtual mentoring sessions, in-person small business clinics, and webinars.

Reel Connections (Marketing Support)

Reel Connections is Black Connect’s program that helps small businesses promote their products to a wider audience by working with filmmakers to place their members’ brands in films, corporate media, commercials and music videos provide greater exposure for small businesses at a reasonable cost.

Membership

As of 2025, Black Connect had approximately 10,000 paying and non-paying members around the world and local chapters in Atlanta, Tampa, New York City and Tulsa. While the beneficiaries of the organizations programs and services are Black Americans, membership in Black Connect is open to any person or entity that supports the organization’s mission regardless of religion, race, or nationality.

Partnerships

Partnerships were key to growing Black Connect’s footprint through a multifaceted expansion strategy. Black Connect’s entrepreneurial ecosystem includes strategic partnerships with leading corporations and mission-aligned organizations on initiatives that help level the economic playing field and enable superior business and professional growth for Black Americans. Black Connect has collaborated with leading corporations and Black Connect’s partners include:

• US Bank

• Silicon Valley Bank

• Intuit

• PayPal

• The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club

• Raised By Us

Conferences

The organization held its first conference from May 30 - May 31, 2024.  The organization celebrated its five year anniversary with a National WealthBuilding Conference in New York City.  The agenda included an awards luncheon, small business clinic, financial planning workshop, BlackOut Party and FeverPitch 2024 Finals.

Challenges

In 2023, Black Connect suffered a major setback when its corporate partner and largest financial contributor at the time, Silicon Valley Bank, collapsed. However, the greatest obstacle to the organization’s development is philanthropic redlining - the racial funding gap that exists in philanthropy. The attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion also impacts non-profit organizations, as grants now exclude organizations like Black Connect and our programs that focus on elevating and economically empowering the Black community and circumventing systemic barriers.  It had already been difficult for Black-led organizations to receive major funding from foundations, corporations and donors and it is becoming increasingly challenging because while Black Connect is working to disrupt the status quo and neutralize systemic barriers, others have been working just as hard to ensure that opportunities and resources that flow to the Black community remain scarce.  This makes it difficult to secure the level funding that the organization needs to operate efficiently and plan for for growth. Black Connect’s accomplishments and impact with such relatively little funding is remarkable.

Awards & Recognition

• Black Connect’s Small Business Legal Services Program was the recipient of the 2024 Brown Select Award for the Delivery of Legal Services from the American Bar Association.

• Black Connect’s founder, Angela Majette, received the 2023 Business Award from The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. for her innovation and leadership in creating Black Connect and other business ventures.

• Black Connect was featured in renown publications including Forbes, Essence, Ebony, and  The Network Journal.

Looking Forward

Black Connect is essential to the fight to close the racial wealth gap in America and the organization is poised to be one of the most impactful, progressive national organizations in the 21st century.

* Prosperity Now, The Ever-Growing Gap: Without Change, African-American and Latino Families Won't Match White Wealth for Centuries, August 2016