What would shift in our communities if more Black churches treated economic empowerment as discipleship in action? For generations, the Black Church has been a place of spiritual formation, moral grounding, and communal refuge. It has taught us how to pray, how to endure, and how to hope. But in a time when economic instability continues to undermine families, dreams, and neighborhoods, the question before us is not whether the Church should care about economics—but whether we are willing to see economic agency as a spiritual discipline, not a distraction from faith. Discipleship shapes how people live, steward, and multiply what they’ve been entrusted with. When we teach prayer without teaching provision, or purpose without pathways, we leave people spiritually inspired but structurally unsupported. Economic empowerment—when rooted in Kingdom values—is not about greed or hustle; it is about stewardship, dignity, and sustainability. It is about equipping people to build lives that are stable enough to serve, give, lead, and leave legacy. Across the country, we are beginning to see what’s possible when churches lean into this calling—launching community development initiatives, intentionally facilitating & supporting entrepreneurs, teaching financial literacy, and creating on-ramps to ownership. These efforts don’t replace ministry; they expand it. They acknowledge that faith must show up not only in the sanctuary, but also in balance sheets, business plans, and everyday economic decisions. This week’s spotlight and resources invite us to consider a deeper alignment: one where faith forms people who are spiritually grounded and economically equipped. Where churches act not only as places of worship, but as builders of systems that help communities thrive long after Sunday service ends. The question isn’t whether the Church has the influence to do this. The question is whether we are ready to fully embrace economic empowerment as a discipleship practice—lived, taught, and multiplied. |
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AI INNOVATION in the COMMUNITY |
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We are living in a time where allowing ourselves to be afraid of the new and untested instead of meeting the moment and being early adopters who pivot to explore budding opportunities, drive trends, & pioneer new pathways toward wealth generation is necessary. We don’t have to shrink in the face of AI. We can take the bull by the horns, meet the challenges head on to come out on top. So as in times past; whether we are talking about The Industrial Revolution, The Automotive Shift, Mechanization of Agriculture, or the Information Technology and emergence of Personal Computers; the early adoption of new technologies, while causing initial job displacement or disruption, ultimately led to broader societal benefits through increased productivity, the creation of new industries, and a resulting rise in overall living standards. Black church is an ideal institution to facilitate intentional strategies, and Kingdom building of new businesses, Enterprises, and innovations in a way that brings wealth and advancement where needed most. Everything we need is in the house and can be developed by the Household of Faith! The list above is representative of AI education/information sessions offered by EICC Network. I stand ready to host at any black church or community organization willing to have me come for the minimum of a love offering or donation: (also airfare at no additional charge). For details or to sign-up your Church/Community’s Info Session, send your email request to AIEd@KingdomAIAgency.com |
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Faith-based and community organizations serve some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. They are also often embedded in communities and uniquely qualified to identify and meet local needs. The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (FBNP) works to build bridges between faith-based and community organizations. With its mandate from President Biden’s February 2021 Executive Order establishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, FBNP reaffirms the U.S. Government’s longstanding commitment to work with faith-based and community organizations, including diaspora groups, volunteer networks, and foundations, to advance shared diplomatic, international development, and humanitarian goals worldwide. |
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**Help us in our goal to start the largest number of Kingdom Community Develop Corporations through Black Churches in 1 Year!!!** It’s a well known & historical fact that the black community is the most inventive and creative people on the planet and their influence, ideas, and inventions stand out like no other group in the global marketplace. “Black people are the original quantum thinkers…put us in any situation or circumstance and we make a way out of no way!” (Courtney Counts). We cannot wait another moment, asking for handouts and even for what rightfully belongs to us. We must be the change we want to see, collectively!
The black church, at a pivotal point in our community’s history for equality & justice, proved to be a very central organization in our collaborative pursuits of making things happen. Let’s revisit that past… Now. |
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**Headlines & Highlights** Faith-Driven Spotlight: When the Church Builds Economic Infrastructure The Potter’s House Community Development Corporation (Affiliated with The Potter’s House of Dallas) The Potter’s House Community Development Corporation (PHCDC) represents what it looks like when a Black church moves beyond programs and into economic systems. As the community development arm of The Potter’s House of Dallas, PHCDC focuses on workforce readiness, financial education, entrepreneurship support, housing stability, and access to capital—all grounded in faith, dignity, and long-term sustainability. Their work is not framed as charity, but as capacity-building. Through initiatives that equip individuals with job skills, financial literacy, and pathways to business ownership, PHCDC helps community members transition from survival to self-sufficiency and stewardship. This approach reinforces the idea that faith institutions can be architects of economic resilience, especially in communities historically excluded from opportunity. Why this matters:
Faith-driven entrepreneurship isn’t about branding—it’s about responsibility. PHCDC demonstrates how churches can steward influence, land, relationships, and resources to create measurable economic outcomes. Takeaway for readers:
When churches invest in infrastructure—training, capital access, and business development—they help people build lives that are stable, productive, and generationally impactful. This is Kingdom work expressed through systems. |
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Current Opportunities & Events Black Entrepreneurs Day (Annual) – Annual entrepreneurship livestream event with funding awards and expert insights for Black founders. Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference A hands‑on learning and networking event for veteran entrepreneurs with expert keynotes, interactive sessions, and business growth strategies. Registrations and dates vary; check the conference page. Veteran Entrepreneur Program (PenFed Foundation) Multiple 2026 accelerator and incubator cohorts offering structured mentorship and virtual/in‑person programming for founders at different stages, from idea‑stage to scalable companies. Black American Startup Resource Events A growing list of startup events, hackathons, and knowledge exchanges specifically for African American founders, including meetups, #BLACKCOMPUTEHERS, and local chapters of broader entrepreneurship networks. Virginia Black Chamber Business Accelerator Provides members with an accelerator program offering capital access, mentoring, and networking — a strong push for Black small business growth and investor connection (members required). Veterans Business Battle (SBA – Houston) A multi‑day entrepreneurship event with panel discussions, small business expo, veteran pitches, and an awards ceremony — free and open to all interested in business growth. April 8–9, 2026 in Houston, TX. Veterans Business Outreach Webinars The Veterans Business Outreach Center offers educational webinars, workshops, and “Boots to Business” classes with practical training for veteran entrepreneurs — includes SCORE and SBA sessions. Black Entrepreneur Conferences & Networking A variety of annual networking and business growth events historically support Black founders — including Juneteenth Expo, ForbesBLK Summit, Black Entrepreneurs Day (Daymond John’s annual entrepreneurship celebration and grant connection), and the Black Professionals Summit. Locations and dates vary year to year — check event sites for updates and registration. MBDA Intellectual Property Webinars Free webinars from the Minority Business Development Agency covering IP basics for startups, commercialization strategies, and building diverse tech pipelines — useful for minority and Black entrepreneurs. NVBDC Networking & Certification Events The National Veteran Business Development Council hosts events focused on certification, procurement matchmaking, and veteran‑owned business networking, including June 22, 2026 sessions in Michigan for SD/VOB service‑disabled veteran businesses. Local Business Conferences The Unlocked 2026 Business Conference in Baltimore, MD is slated for April 18, 2026, offering opportunities for business growth, connection, and local marketplace engagement. |
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News & Resource Highlights 33 Grants for Black Entrepreneurs: A recent Forbes list highlights dozens of targeted grants that Black business owners can pursue — helpful for your curated newsletter links. Challenges in Public Funding: There are political shifts affecting how federal support flows to minority business programs — context worth noting for your audience. |
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Funding, Grants & Pitch Opportunities Military Entrepreneur Challenge (Second Service Foundation) – Nationwide pitch competition event for veteran, military spouse, and Gold Star family entrepreneurs to network, compete, and win funding. Veteran‑Owned Small Business Accelerator (VOSBA) – Accelerator initiative offering structured support to veteran entrepreneurs entering growth stages. Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) – Accelerator program supporting impact‑oriented businesses from historically disadvantaged communities with capital access and investor‑readiness coaching. Curated Contests, Pitches & Grants for Innovators
A recent industry roundup offers a selection of contests, competitions, accelerators, and grant opportunities for entrepreneurs — useful for founders of all backgrounds to explore potential funding and recognition platforms. Grants and Funding Resources for Small Businesses
Guides to small‑business grants highlight federal and private funding options — including tools you can reference for Black and underserved business owners seeking non‑debt financing. Minority‑Focused Grant Lists & Opportunities
A curated list of 35 small‑business grants particularly relevant to minority entrepreneurs (including Black founders) is available, with details on eligibility and application basics. Black Business Support Funding Highlight (Atlanta)
The Advancing Black Businesses Foundation received a $725,000 revitalization grant to support small businesses across Georgia, spotlighting ongoing capital activity tied to Black economic empowerment. Powershift Entrepreneur Grant (Black Entrepreneurs) The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant provides up to $25,000 to Black entrepreneurs, plus tools and resources to grow business impact. Recent cycles have opened applications; check eligibility and deadlines on the NAACP site. Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant (Veteran & Military Spouse) Hiring Our Heroes awards $10,000–$25,000 grants to veteran‑ and military spouse–owned small businesses. This funding supports business growth and community impact. Applications open or closing soon depending on cycle. Federal Small Business Grants (SBA) The U.S. Small Business Administration funds grants that support community entrepreneurial programs, including those benefiting veteran‑owned and minority‑owned businesses and Small Business Development Centers that assist with funding navigation. Grants.gov Use Grants.gov to explore federal funding opportunities; while most listings target organizations, it’s a crucial hub to vet community development and small business programs that support entrepreneurs indirectly. Military Founders Lab (Veteran Entrepreneurs) A 10‑week virtual cohort giving veteran and military spouse founders access to business tools, mentorship, and a strong peer network — a support system for early and growth stages. Veteran‑Owned Small Business Accelerator (VOSBA) A 12‑week accelerator tailored for veteran business owners and spouses, offering workshops, mentorship, and practical business growth support — focused on translating service leadership into business success. |
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ATTENTION Pastors, Faith Leaders, & Executive Marketplace Ministers |
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Tuesday Talks Virtual Roundtable is a weekly ZOOM conference hosted by the ABC Executive Director, Melvin Coleman. Featuring: Weekly Special Guests sharing key information about current events Weekly Chamber member spotlights Important updates for ATL Black Entrepreneurs bit.ly/abctuesdaytalks. |
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Join the Conversation on Public Policy
Advancing Black Businesses, Inc. hosts Public Policy Talks, a weekly virtual meeting that explores the critical issues impacting our community. Hosted by Markee Tate, President of Advancing Black Businesses, this session is your chance to stay informed and engaged on policies that matter. Every Thursday 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM (Time has been extended) Zoom ID: 871 1392 7088 Scan the QR code to register and secure your spot. Let’s connect, learn, and strategize for progress. Visit advancingblackbiz.org for more information. |
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thank you for being among Our fellow kingdom disruptors! |
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Dr. Ursula D. Frederick-Brown, aka |
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What is an Ideation Session? It's a private, paid space where we slow things down long enough to: • Discern what an idea is really for • Decide whether to proceed, pause, or prepare • Translate vision into the right form—without rushing or diluting the assignment. This is not coaching. This is not motivation. It’s clarity and creative discernment before execution. If you’re carrying ideas that won’t leave you alone—but you don’t want to mishandle them—this room is for you. Enrollment is open now. Click the button above to get started. |
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