Why Workforce Development Might Be Happening in Plain Sight
Across the country, corporations are investing heavily in workforce development. Leadership academies. Mentorship programs. Culture-building initiatives. Ethical compliance training. Team-building intensives.
All necessary. All important.
But here’s a question worth asking:
What if some of that formation is already happening—quietly and consistently—inside faith communities every week?
Inside churches, people are leading volunteer teams without pay. They are managing multi-generational relationships. They are organizing events that require logistics, budgeting, communication, and crisis management. They are mentoring youth, resolving conflict, and serving people in vulnerable moments.
Those are not soft skills. Those are transferable skills.
Resilience. Accountability. Servant leadership. Community orientation. Strategic coordination. Public speaking. Financial stewardship.
The modern workplace is increasingly looking for leaders who can navigate complexity, lead across differences, and operate with integrity under pressure. Faith environments often provide a training ground where those capacities are developed long before a resume is updated.
This is not about religion entering the workplace. It is about recognizing formation.
When organizations broaden their view of where leadership is developed, they expand their talent pipeline. When communities become intentional about translating ministry experience into marketplace language, they unlock opportunity.
The future of workforce development may not be about building entirely new systems.
It may be about recognizing the ones that already exist—and connecting them strategically to the marketplace.
In the coming weeks, we’ll explore how this shift in perspective can reshape talent identification, corporate partnerships, and community economic growth.
Because sometimes the most powerful pipelines are the ones we’ve been walking past for years.
**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.
Historic Church Expands Capacity to Serve Community
Across the country, more congregations are launching businesses, training programs, and social enterprises to create jobs and fund ministry initiatives—blending discipleship with economic development and community impact.
This Week's Faith-Driven Spotlight: Ministry in Action
Earlier this week, 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham — an iconic Black church rooted deeply in the Civil Rights movement — was awarded a three-year, $300,000 capacity-building grant from the Preserving Black Churches program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Unlike typical repair grants, this investment is specifically aimed at establishing a director of development and fundraising — a strategic role that professionalizes stewardship, expands fundraising capacity, and strengthens long-term financial sustainability for the church’s ministry and outreach.
Pastor Rev. Arthur Price Jr. notes that this funding will help ensure the church’s historic legacy is preserved while also enhancing its ability to expand community programs, educational initiatives, and civic engagement efforts — extending the church’s impact beyond spiritual life into economic life.
Why this matters: This isn’t just a preservation award — it’s an investment in a living institution that continues to serve as a hub for community development, educational equity, and organized faith-based service. The funding enables infrastructure that supports growth, community outreach, and future ministry expansion.
Takeaway for your readers: When a faith community secures funding to build financial and organizational capacity, it multiplies its ability to serve, invest, and empower those around it — modeling economic stewardship as discipleship in action.
Reflection: What would it look like if more churches pursued strategic organizational funding that expands long-term community impact?
Current Opportunities & Events
Please use the following links and information to engage & empower the black faith-driven & larger entrepreneurial community for growth and expansion. This list will be updated with the newest opportunities & details as soon as they become available!
MBDA + SBA Webinars Free webinars and training sessions cover essential business topics such as intellectual property, funding strategies, and growth tools for minority entrepreneurs.
• Black Small Business Webinars via USBC Ongoing webinar series from the U.S. Black Chambers (USBCC) offers expert insights and practical tools for business growth — ideal for founders seeking education and networking.
VIB National Conference — Veteran business conference (Nov 2‑3, Palm Springs, CA) with workshops, marketplace, and networking for veteran‑owned enterprises.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Unlocked 2026 Business Conference in Baltimore, MD is slated for April 18, 2026, offering opportunities for business growth, connection, and local marketplace engagement.
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.
Pathway to Opportunity Pitch Competition A corporate‑aligned pitch competition that connects small businesses with funders and corporate partners seeking innovative ventures; applications and details are available on the organizer’s site.
Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant & State‑Level Pitch/Support Programs Various state programs (e.g., TX Woman’s University grant; Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab accelerator and pitch contest opportunities) are active or upcoming — explore state economic development sites for timelines and applications.
Veteran Entrepreneur Conferences & Pitch Circuits A range of veteran‑oriented entrepreneurship events and pitch competitions occur throughout the year; keep an eye on dedicated community calendars for confirmed 2026 dates (locations, topics, and pitch formats).
Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) Accelerator Focused on historically disadvantaged and diaspora‑linked entrepreneurs, this cohort‑based program supports access to capital, mentorship, and investor readiness.
Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant — Noted on a February funding list as a resource supporting veteran‑owned small businesses; check specific criteria and deadlines via Gravity Grants or similar.
Michigan’s Next Big Idea Pitch Competition — A $10K pitch contest tied to the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Summit (Apr 21‑22, East Lansing; eligible to small businesses ready to scale).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SBIR & Federal Innovation Funding (Black & All Entrepreneurs) Federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs offer competitive awards to businesses collaborating with research institutions. Deadlines vary — check the SBA and grants.gov listings.
NAACP Grants for Black‑Owned Businesses Multiple grant opportunities have been offered through the NAACP including the Powershift Entrepreneur Grant and the Power Forward Small Business Grant in partnership with Vistaprint and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. Applications vary by year — check the NAACP resource page for the
The Advancing Black Businesses Foundation (ABBF) is preparing to launch the Small Business Revitalization Grant Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Grant funding starting at $5,000 For small businesses located in the state of Georgia
We are currently building an interest list. Business owners who sign up will receive updates, application announcements, and key dates when the program opens.
This is a sign-up form only. Applications will be released soon. Funding is not guaranteed.
Tuesday Talks Virtual Roundtable is a weekly ZOOM conference hosted by the ABC President & CEO, Melvin Coleman.
Featuring: Weekly Special Guests sharing key information about current events Weekly Chamber member spotlights Important updates for ATL Black Entrepreneursbit.ly/abctuesdaytalks.
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 & facilitated by Raquel Hill, 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.
