The Cincinnati Bengals have named startup ecosystem leader Candice Matthews Brackeen as the franchise’s inaugural "Inspire Change Changemaker Award" winner leading up to the team’s key Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
The award, newly established by the National Football League with honorees in each of its 32 markets, recognizes individuals making a difference in their communities. Matthews Brackeen, the founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit economic development organization, is being recognized for her efforts to advance underserved entrepreneurs and startup ecosystems.
Lightship Foundation in July brought Black Tech Week from its former home in Miami to Cincinnati’s Music Hall, headlined by keynote speaker, tennis pro and managing partner at San Francisco-based Serena Ventures, Serena Williams.
The success of the event “is one example of the positive impact she is making in the community to grow and support minority innovation professionals across the Midwest,” Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn said.
Matthews Brackeen will be recognized at team's game Jan. 2.
“It’s essential everyone has the opportunity to build a successful and enduring business,” Matthews Brackeen said in a release. “At Lightship our team rallies every day to level the playing field for minority entrepreneurs throughout Cincinnati.”
Matthews Brackeen launched Lightship Foundation after co-founding Lightship Capital, a venture firm that funds businesses led by people of color, LBGTQ+ founders, women and those with disabilities. Its programming includes an accelerator, bootcamp and virtual pitch contest, all geared toward supporting underrepresented founders.
Lightship Foundation is the process of establishing its headquarters within the Cincinnati Innovation District, at a property under renovation at 121 E. McMillian. It also recently converted another property, the Boulter House, a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Clifton, to house its “innovators in residence” program.
As part of the Inspire Change award, all 32 recipients will receive a $10,000 donation to the social justice nonprofit organization of their choice, courtesy of the NFL Foundation.
Matthews Brackeen told me those funds will be directed to Lightship Foundation.
