ATLANTA (March 28, 2024) – Sage the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, and The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs and event-based networking, today announced the 25 awardees of the 2024 Sage Invest in Progress grant to support black women entrepreneurs in their first five years of business.
The BOSS Network and Sage’s “Invest in Progress” grant is a three-year, $1.5 million commitment via the Sage Foundation to support the BOSS Impact Fund, which is focused on raising investment funding for 500+ black women-led businesses and preparing entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies.
In January 2024, participants were invited to apply for the “Invest in Progress” grant – which offered 25 Black women entrepreneurs across The United States, the opportunity to receive a capital investment of $10,000 toward successfully starting and growing their business, in addition to an entrepreneurial mentor program in support of Black women-owned small businesses.
The partnership in its third year, received over 12,000 applicants nationwide. The final 25 awardees represent entrepreneurs from various industries, including Beauty & Self-Care, IT Solutions, Travel, Healthcare, Professional Services and Food and Beverage.
The BOSS Network and Sage “Invest in Progress” grant includes a 12-month program of entrepreneurial mentorship, coaching, connections, and education focused on knocking down barriers to business success and guiding these businesswomen to reach their full potential. Each “Invest in Progress” grant awardee receives:
“We are inspired by the perseverance and potential of the awardees selected for the third year of the “Invest in Progress” grant,” said Cadence Willis, VP, Sage Foundation. “Sage is proud to support these women by continuing our commitment to help underserved communities start and grow successful businesses.”
“The BOSS Network has been proud to have Sage as a partner of the Invest in Progress Grant, as a part of our BOSS Impact Fund. As we celebrate our three-year mark, we are pleased to say that this investment has greatly impacted the lives of 85 Black women entrepreneurs—who have each received $10,000 to fund their businesses. It is widely known that less than 1% of minority founders get investment funding for the start of their small businesses. There is also the challenge of Black female founders being indiscriminately targeted simply for fighting for equity and fairness at the table. With the continued help of supporters such as Sage, The BOSS Network will remain committed to giving Black women entrepreneurs the resources they need to win.” -Dr. Cameka Smith, CEO and Founder of The BOSS Network
For more information on the BOSS Network and Sage “Invest in Progress” grant and the BOSS Impact Fund, visit BOSSImpactFund.com.
“Invest in Progress” Grant Awardees:
See below for a listing of this year’s 25 “Invest in Progress” grant awardees, including their business and location:
| Tina Armstrong | Living Connected MBS, Inc | La Mirada, CA |
| ShaRhae Carlock | Photolock | Kansas City, MO |
| Jessica Childress | Juris Prudence LLC | Washington, DC |
| Marcia Cox | Kaldi’s Coffeehouse & Roastery | Huntersville, NC |
| Nadine Duncan | The Traveling Black Women Network | Atlanta, GA |
| Skania Florestal | HBCUMADE | Atlanta, GA |
| Tamekia Foley | High Tech.2.0, LLC | Atlanta, GA |
| Natasha Gallop | Gifts in Good Company LLC | West Orange, NJ |
| Lucretia Gordon | Pamper Palace | Greensboro, NC |
| Chrisshele Griffin | McChriss BAKES | Irving, TX |
| Gena Harrison | FOY Med Spa | Southfield, MI |
| April Hemphill and Shaketia McCoy |
Anu'Crown Luxury Brims | Dallas, TX |
| Chari Herron | Divine Restoration Counseling and Consultation, LLC | Huntsville, AL |
| Lakeysha Love | Sugar Head LLC | Hazel Crest, IL |
| Deida Massey | Bixa Beauty, Inc. | Chicago, IL |
| Cheryl Monroe | The Cleaning Advantage | Atlanta, GA |
| LaToya Moore | A Write to Live | Orland Hills, IL |
| Nwamaka Ngoddy | Anwuli Eyewear LLC | Atlanta, GA |
| Zamora Olin | Thrive With ARTIE | Appomattox, VA |
| Niehla Ollie | Homegirl’s Hummus | Chicago, IL |
| Shavonne Reed | OPUA LLC | Atlanta, GA |
| Jada Samuels | Jada Juice Inc. | Aurora, IL |
| Davida Selby | Kate Lynn & Adwoa, LLC | Atlanta, GA |
| Alicia Thomas | Lush Pops ATL | Decatur, GA |
| Shanice Whittaker | Soul Movement Success | Antioch, CA |
Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small- and mid-sized businesses served by us, our partners, and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR, and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitizing business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality, and the climate crisis. Learn more at www.sage.com/en-us/.
Founded by Dr. Cameka Smith, BOSS™ is an acronym for "Bringing Out Successful Sisters," and the network’s mission is to promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women. The BOSS Network is an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through conversation, online, and event-based networking. The BOSS Network was named as a Forbes Top 10 Career and Entrepreneurial website for Women. More than 200,000 women throughout the United States are engaged through our social and digital programming. For more information visit TheBOSSNetwork.org
Sheila Harris, Harris Brand Management + SHPR
[email protected]
646.470.4179
Jordan Kercheval, Sage
[email protected]
425.220.8502