Venture Noire is planting roots in Kansas City and wants to equip minority and Black entrepreneurs with resources to help them flourish.
The New York-based nonprofit announced Kansas City as the first city to launch under its new program called City of Entrepreneurs. Kansas City was chosen for its efforts to create an ecosystem that supports equitable economic opportunities for minority businesses and business owners.
Venture Noire made its foray into the metro area when it hosted a panel in October that featured local entrepreneurs Thalia Cherry of Cherry Co. and Dan Smith of The Porter House KC.
Founder Keenan Beasley said Kansas City's vibrant culture and support for Black residents and entrepreneurs piqued the nonprofit's interest.
"We are looking to support underrepresented founders at various stages of their entrepreneurial endeavors, from the idea stage to exit, because we firmly believe that density creates success," Beasley said. "Our overall mission is, 'How do we bring quality jobs back to some of these distressed markets?' and our entrepreneurs are an amazing way to do that."
The City of Entrepreneurs program includes three tiers of resources from Venture Noire. The research, training and development arm includes the eight-week In The Black cohort, which helps entrepreneurs from the idea stage and beyond. In the program's incubation arm, Venture Noire looks at both brand incubation and micro-manufacturing. The acceleration arm deals with access to capital.
Each of the cities featured in the program must uphold five pillars:
- Support in overcoming long-standing data deficiencies
- Accessible and affordable city lead small business capital funds
- Support in building long-term economic systems for recovery
- Inclusive procurement to expand small business contract procurement opportunities
- Equity via economic development — opportunities to improve local quality of life for BIPOC residents
The program kicked off with an event Thursday. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, several City Council members and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce representatives attended.
Beasley looks forward to working with organizations such as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and The Porter House KC, whose work with minority entrepreneurs helped draw him to the area.
"We are looking for specific outcomes — like bringing over 250 quality jobs is our first target — because that has a huge impact on the community that you're in," Beasley said.
