Beyoncé & Alicia Keys Launch Funds to Empower Black Businesses

Both Beyoncé & Alicia Keys have recently launched funds to empower black-owned businesses. Combined the value of the funds totals over $1.1 billion in funding. With Beyonce’s fund (in partnership with the NAACP) being over $1million and Alicia Keys’ fund (in partnership with the NFL) totaling $1billion.

Beyoncé launched the first round of her fund earlier this summer, and round two is slated to open later this month (September 2020). Recipients of round one can be found on her site, and we are certainly super excited about the announcement of round two.

Both funds are specifically to support businesses and help communities affected by the global pandemic and recent protests. And both of the superstars seem to have clear goals to empower Black Americans on a tangible & powerful level. Providing much-needed resources for communities of color & the economy at large; as well as the need for greater awareness and action for Black businesses to receive more opportunities for access to funding too.

Key's recently told ABC news: “We are pushing for an aggressive agenda to meet the urgent need for proper access, opportunity & inclusion.”

Both funds address the inequities black businesses face, specifically with access to capital, other resources and opportunities for education & expansion. While addressing the social, economic & environmental disparities Black Americans (and business owners) face.