racial equity

Black Girl Ventures has helped over 130 Black and brown women-owned businesses to date, keeping several afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Founder and CEO Shelly Bell explains it’s like “Shark Tank meets Kickstarter,” where business owners make a pitch and then the community invests.

Kassandra Jean-Marie has always wanted to be a doctor, but she says the reason has changed. “I’m smiling because my answer to that question has changed so many times throughout my years,” she said. Jean-Marie’s mom is a nurse, and that inspired her. “She always came home and I could definitely see she was tired some nights, but she...