Black Economic Alliance

The Black Economic Alliance released the following statement from CEO Samantha Tweedy congratulating the new leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) hosted its inaugural Black Entrepreneurship Research Symposium. This groundbreaking event showcased the real-world impact of the CBE’s new research partnership with the Black Wealth Data Center, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Symposium featured engaging conversations, panel discussions, and presentations from our inaugural cohort of CBE Research Fellows and an engaging lineup of researchers, scholars, entrepreneurs, and national thought-leaders offering insights into the Black entrepreneurial experience and the importance of data and research to inform practice and policy propel wealth-generating entrepreneurship. We were honored to be joined by our keynote speakers Stacey Abrams and Andre M. Perry, who spoke on the transformational potential of translating research to action that can bolster Black entrepreneurship and transform the lives in our community. Our panel discussions featuring Garnesha Ezediaro, Erika Williams, Latresa McLawhorn Ryan, Grant Muhoozi Warner, and Alaina Beverly explored the exciting partnership between the CBE and Black Wealth Data Center, which is identifying gaps in Black entrepreneurship data and research, setting the data agenda, and providing the evidence-base for cross-sector leaders to act on identified solutions.  Ofronama Biu, PhD grounded the day in her research on ways education, training, and workforce development organizations, like the CBE, can support Black entrepreneurs. As BEA CEO Samantha Tweedy noted during the Symposium, the CBE is serving as a catalyst for building the nation’s premier repository of Black entrepreneurship research. Thanks to the work of the inaugural CBE Research Fellows, our incredible partnership with Black Wealth Data Center, the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and our invaluable network of leaders, we’re gaining critical insights into the Black entrepreneurial experience— learning what works,  testing solutions, and advancing strategies that empower the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.

The Black Economic Alliance Foundation is proud to announce a research and data partnership between the Center for Black Entrepreneurship and the Black Wealth Data Center, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, to fuel a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship as a critical driver of Black wealth Building and implementing scalable solutions requires us to leverage research and data to identify the unique scope and scale of the challenge facing Black entrepreneurs, which this partnership will allow us to do. This first-of-its-kind research partnership between the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, the Black Wealth Data Center, and the Black Economic Alliance Foundation will expand the existing body of research, including setting the data agenda and offering cross-sector leaders the data they need to shape policies, programs, and investment vehicles to support Black businesses. To learn more about this partnership, visit https://lnkd.in/ezZd9gw7

BEA Statement on Election Results, Path Forward   “Last week, millions of Americans went to the polls, engaged in the democratic process, and made their voices heard. With the news about the House of Representatives, the outcomes of the 2024 federal election are now known.     “We are proud of the ten candidates endorsed by the BEA PAC who won with a focus on work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans - including the first two concurrently serving Black women in the history of the United States Senate - and of Vice President Harris’ historic run, which prioritized an economic opportunity agenda for Black Americans and all Americans.   “BEA remains unwaveringly committed to working across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to ensure Black economic opportunity and, in so doing, grow the entire American economy. Our work, wages, and wealth agenda has never been more important than at this critical time in our nation’s history.”

On this Election Day, BEA CEO Samantha Tweedy joined the nation’s top business leaders and business associations in unified support for protecting the freedom to vote and ensuring every vote is counted. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gX8CdHSU "The freedom to vote and the right to have our votes counted are the bedrock principles of our democracy and the business community has a responsibility to ensure they are upheld. As a coalition of business leaders committed to living up to that responsibility, we will speak with one voice to support the democratic process and ensure that the will of the people prevails." -BEA CEO Samantha Tweedy

Today is Election Day, and the stakes couldn’t be higher! We value our freedom to cast our votes and have them counted. Let’s all show up and vote to shape the economic future of the Black community -- and the future of our country. If you haven’t yet, VOTE today! https://lnkd.in/eN3rC-KK

Check out our final round of ads running across BET’s platforms. The four ads—on Home Ownership, Black Businesses, Economic Freedom, and Reproductive Rights—reach infrequent Black male voters with messages underscoring the power of voting to drive economic prosperity. In addition to these ads, BEA's digital ad Table was amplified across BET's social and digital channels as a result of the election-season partnership. BEA's research has underpinned the network’s election-related programming this election cycle, particularly the October 29 BET Black Men’s Summit that highlighted how this election can shape the future of Black work, wages, and wealth. View our ads below: https://lnkd.in/dp9bHnSf https://lnkd.in/dwrixZJC https://lnkd.in/dkMqzbHb https://lnkd.in/dPDfcbRX

Black voters across battleground states can decide this election and shape the future of this country. Watch and share highlights from BEA’s "What Do Black Men Want?" town hall to inspire your community to vote for leaders who will advance Black work, wages, and wealth!

With just two days until Election Day, we’re reaching Black voters in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania with messages that matter most—encouraging them to vote and emphasizing the power they hold in shaping the economic future for themselves and their families. Our engagement with over 4 million infrequent Black voters could be pivotal in deciding critical down-ballot races. Check out and share our digital ad The Table currently running on YouTube, Paramount and BET https://lnkd.in/eqGAyf6v

In a significant show of force for the Harris campaign, BEA PAC engaged over 50 leading Black business leaders to sign a letter endorsing her economic agenda. The endorsement letter was prominently featured in the New York Times and DealBook, as well as local outlets and news sources frequented by Black voters. As the letter states, “Vice President Harris’ Opportunity Economy agenda would give Americans the tools to build generational wealth by making housing more affordable, creating good-paying jobs, and investing in the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our economy.” Vice President Harris is the best choice for our economic prosperity, business, and the American economy. It's up to us to ensure we make our voices heard on Nov. 5th. Full letter here: https://lnkd.in/eK9UdJW6