Sage, in partnership with The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women, have named 35 awardees of the "2022 Sage Invest in Progress" grants to support black women entrepreneurs in their first five years of business.
The Sage Invest in Progress grant is a three-year, $1.5 million commitment by Sage (via the Sage Foundation) to support the newly announced BOSS Impact Fund, which is focused on investing in Black women-led businesses and preparing entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. The goal of the BOSS Impact Fund is to raise investment funding for 500-plus Black women entrepreneurs over the next three years.
Initially scoped to award 25 grants, the overwhelming response of more than 12,500 applicants nationwide encouraged Sage and The BOSS Network to expand the program with 10 additional grants in the Sage Invest in Progress program.
These 35 awardees represent entrepreneurs from around the country and in various industries, including beauty and self-care, consumer goods, professional services, healthcare/wellness, and food and beverage.
As part of the “BOSS Impact Fund,” the “Sage Invest in Progress” grant includes a 12-month program of entrepreneurial mentorship and education focused on knocking down barriers to business success and guiding these businesswomen to reach their full potential.
Each Sage Invest in Progress grant awardee receives:
- $10,000 USD in funding
- Quarterly business training courses through BOSS University sponsored by Sage, focusing on marketing, finance, customer service and business strategy
- Access to The BOSS Network online community
- Complimentary Sage Business Cloud Accounting software
Cameka Smith, founder and CEO of The BOSS Network, says the moment is special for The BOSS Network. “The launch of our first BOSS Impact Fund, as well as our incredible partnership with Sage, are not only a testament to the strength of The BOSS Network brand, but also the power of our community of entrepreneurs and business owners. We are ecstatic for the 35 awardees and look forward to guiding them on their road to success.”
Sage North America Interim President Aziz Benmalek says everyone was astounded by the overwhelming response to the inaugural Invest in Progress grant. “It’s apparent there is immense need to remove the capital investment barrier for black businesswomen. Sage is committed to supporting these women and continuing to invest in underrepresented communities for an equitable future.”
Invest in Progress Grant Awardees
Here is a listing of the 35 initial grant awardees:
- Josie Santiago, Akili Well, Emeryville, CA
- Iris Hoses, Festively, Hacienda Heights, CA
- Tracey-Renee Hubbard, Scotchbonnet! Hayward, CA
- Briantria Smocks, Levi&Toonk, Lakewood, CA
- Aaliyah Nitoto, Free Range Flower Winery, Livermore, CA
- Diondraya Taylor, Mindset & Milestones, Los Angeles
- La’Dayshia Hunt, Divinity Remedy, San Francisco
- Lydia-Carlie Tilus, SageFemme Wellness, San Mateo, CA
- Kevnesha Boyd, Quality Counseling, Hamden, CT
- Naomi Dubissette, Urbanoire, Norwalk, CT
- Janese Laster, Gut Theory Total Digestive Care, Washington, DC
- Brianna Ross, Brown Rose Essentials, Apopka, FL
- Courtney Gavin, Xelda Company, Boca Raton, FL
- Monique Caradine-Kitchens, OverFlow Enterprises, Atlanta
- Beverly Iseghohi, SBR4Life, based in Atlanta
- Jaquacer Middlebrooks, box it UP designs, Conyers, GA
- Dianna King, Eat UNrestricted, Lithonia, GA
- Ja'Nique Blocker, Sconnet, Marietta, GA
- Marnetia Amaning, Sincerely Tied, Snellville, GA
- Janeen Harrelli, iJ DESIGN STUDIO, Chicago
- Yewande Odusanwo, Zora Digital, Chicago
- Shanika Valcour-LeDuff, Labor and Love, New Orleans
- Natasha Brown-Wainwright, B'More Made with Pride, Baltimore
- Jessica Austin, Creative Carvings, Grand Rapids, MI
- Mashell Lawson, Soul Stretch Yoga & Wellness, Warren, MI
- Nijalon Jackson-Causey, Afredanz Dance Center, Moss Point, MS
- Kiera Gardner, Blend of Soul, Chapel Hill, NC
- Nancey Harris, Vontelle, Brooklyn, NY
- Samantha Sinclair, Pathway to Purpose, Brooklyn, NY
- Cathleen Trigg-Jones, iWomanTV, New York City
- Amber Hammond, Ciela Handmade, Columbus, OH
- Nimilolu Fafowora, The Beem Box, Medford, OR
- Shunta Grant, Best Today, Greer, SC
- Janita Gilliam, Jabber Talk Speech and Consulting, Prosper, TX
- Tosin Ojo, CITSAP Consulting, Richmond, TX
The funding for the Sage Invest in Progress grant program is managed through the Sage Foundation, which was established in 2016 to bring to life Sage’s ambition for social impact. Working with Sage colleagues, customers and partners, the mission of the Sage Foundation is to tackle societal and economic inequality through investments in education, technology, and the environment to give individuals, communities, and our planet the opportunity to thrive.