The African Diaspora Network (ADN) is delighted to welcome the Fourth Cohort of its Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) program. ABLE was created to support Black entrepreneurs and businesses across the United States. With Black startups receiving just one percent of venture capital funding—and Black women-led startups facing even greater barriers—ADN has been working to raise awareness and drive meaningful change. Through ABLE, we provide training, mentorship, and access to funding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
The fourth ABLE cohort represents a wide range of sectors, including community engagement, consumer goods (apparel), food and beverage, education, gaming, health and wellness, fintech, transportation and logistics, and technology. Each of these sectors addresses critical needs within the Black community while contributing to sustainable global progress.
We extend our thanks to our funders: BILL, Makahakama Foundation, KLA, and the Santa Clara County Government, for their steadfast support. We also appreciate our academic partners at the Silicon Valley Executive Center (SVEC) and Santa Clara University, as well as our mentors and ecosystem partners.
Congratulations to the 16 Black entrepreneurs joining the ABLE family, a growing network of support!
- Akos Antwi, Co Founder of Revive Therapeutic Services, Rhode Island, MA
- Bisolo Alabi, Founder of Heels and Tech, DE
- Charles Oligbo, Founder/CEO of Sawport Inc., Dallas, TX
- Chimadika Okoye, CEO/Founder of OGA Street Tech, Lafayette, LA
- Cynthia Asije, CEO of Alseams, WY
- David Scott, CEO of Evil Genius Games, San Mateo (CA)
- Derrick Akpalu, Co-founder and CEO of Revna Biosciences, Horsham, PA
- Jennifer Kanyamibwa-Biggs, Co-founder of Plant Lady Juice Co., Atlanta, GA
- Jonathan Katende, Co-founder and CEO of Lipaworld, New York
- Laetitia Nzingha Samuel - Owusu, CLO, EJECS: Educational Consulting Solutions, Atlanta, GA
- Dr Lena Samuel, Founder of Samuel Health, New York
- Nicole Murphy, Founder & CEO of Barter Black®, Upper Marlboro, MD
- Dr Omonye Phillips, Founder of Omosilk, Los Angeles, CA
- Pascal Odek, Founder of WellBeam Inc, Palo Alto (CA)
- Sade Luwoye and Abigail Osei-Tutu, Sade Luwoye: Co-Founder & COO, Abigail Osei-Tutu: Co-Founder & CEO, TribeMeets, Silver Spring, MD
- Seun Phillips, Executive Director of STEMNETICS, Culver City, CA
