What does Black economic empowerment look like? My guest today is Charlene Izere, founder and CEO of Melanin & Money -- a multiple 6-figure boutique online business management agency. Charlene moved to the United States when she was 3 years old, escaping the war in Rwanda. Her upbringing shaped her into the solutions-oriented, independent woman she is today.

In this episode, Charlene discusses her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a Black luxe creator. She shares how wealth, both mindset and monetary, allows communities and individuals to move from a state of survival to one that thrives in different endeavors. Charlene dives deeper into her purpose, explaining why she founded the “We Own Our Own Legacy Impact Fund” for BIWOC entrepreneurs.

Tune in to hear Charlene’s inspirational story and her important mission to put more opportunities and money into the hands of Black womxn.

“I get to decide how I want to live my life and black women and women of color, we get to decide how we want to live our lives. And our white counterparts --  they do the same. So why not us?” - Charlene Izere

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Centering yourself with a wealthy mindset
• Normalizing luxury for Black women and WOC
• Why we all deserve a wealthy life
• Figuring out how to be a solution
• The power of knowing your potential
• Finding strength and power in hardship

We Own Our Legacy Fund:  https://ifundwomen.com/projects/we-own-our-legacy-impact-fund

The resource gap for BIWOC entrepreneurs is an existential threat to sustainable innovation in our communities, which is only heightened by the fact that our generation is witnessing more Black and Brown businesses close their doors than ever before due to COVID-19. 

Throughout history, BIWOC have experienced many assaults to their self-determination as entrepreneurs; but still we rise.

The We Own Our Legacy Impact Fund will pool essential financial resources, business coaching, and tech support for Black and Brown women founders.

We are founders. We are small business owners. We are mothers. We are WOC. We are warriors.

We are a network of resources, Black resilience, Indigenous innovation, community capital, Latinx strength; to build a future where WE are our greatest asset.

Our 2021 goal is to provide $100k in resource mobilization opportunities to BIWOC entrepreneurs in the following areas: monetary grants, tech infrastructure support, business coaching scholarships, and an incubator/accelerator placement.

We are asking you to help us with the launch of our fund!

We hope that we can count on your support. Every bit helps as we create the building blocks of our legacy.

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