Business
ByBlack, Powered by U.S. Black Chambers, Awards $1,000 Microgrant to Student Entrepreneur at 2025 Durag Fest in Charlotte, NC
(CHARLOTTE – July 17, 2025) – In a collaboration to spotlight the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, ByBlack, powered by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), and the DuGhood Foundation launched the “Pop Up & Pitch” Grant Competition during the 7th Annual Durag Fest, a vibrant Juneteenth celebration of Black creativity and culture in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The competition awarded a $1,000 microgrant and business development package to student entrepreneur Aalliyeh Clinton, founder of Monneah’s Engineered Materials, whose innovative, bio-friendly, and culturally inspired lab coats captured the attention of the live audience and expert judging panel. Clinton, a Morgan State graduate and current Johns Hopkins University graduate student, is redefining STEM apparel by infusing fashion, sustainability, and cultural identity into the lab space.
Hosted by Zhané Chesson, Co-Founder of So You Graduated, Now What?, finalists had 5 minutes to present their ventures before a live audience and panel of judges, including:
Finalists included Zion Asamoah (Goons and Goblins Clothing), Kenan Moore (Historically Cultured), Avianna Corbett (Lucky Spot Nail Spa), Kneisha Gabriel (KneishaX LLC), and Aalliyeh Clinton (Monneah’s Engineered Materials). After two compelling rounds, Clinton emerged as the winner, earning not just the microgrant, but a full business support package including:
“This opportunity isn’t just about funding—it’s about creating visibility, connection, and momentum,” said Alicea Gay. “ByBlack exists to elevate Black-owned businesses through access, exposure, and certification. Supporting young innovators like Aalliyeh reflects our mission to build a stronger ecosystem for the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.”
Clinton aims to reimagine what lab gear looks like and represents. “This grant and the resources that come with it are game-changing,” said Clinton. “I want scientists to feel seen, inspired, and proud of their culture even in sterile lab spaces. Monneah’s is about representation in research—where fashion meets innovation.”
The ByBlack Platform, powered by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., is the nation’s first national certification program and digital directory exclusively dedicated to Black-owned businesses. Created to address the historical lack of visibility and access faced by Black entrepreneurs, ByBlack provides both Verified and Certified business listings, enabling companies to gain formal recognition, connect with consumers actively seeking to support Black-owned brands, and unlock contracting and partnership opportunities with major corporations and government agencies.
Durag Fest, held annually in Charlotte in honor of Juneteenth, is a celebration of Black creativity, culture, and community. This year’s festival served as the perfect stage to highlight student entrepreneurs shaping the future.“Durag Fest has always been about celebrating the fullness of Black expression, from culture and creativity to enterprise,” said Lisa Michelle, Founder of Durag Fest. “Partnering with ByBlack to spotlight student entrepreneurs brings that vision to life. Aalliyeh and all the finalists remind us that our culture fuels innovation, and when we invest in young talent, we invest in our collective future.”
“Events like this bring our mission full circle,” said Cathay Dawkins of CMBCC. “Supporting youth entrepreneurship aligns with our goal of building wealth and networks locally. We encourage all Charlotte-based business owners to get involved—especially now, with discounted memberships available. Partnering with USBC and ByBlack opens doors that lead to funding, mentorship, and national recognition.”
For more information on ByBlack and how to certify or list your business, visit www.byblack.us.
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About USBC:
The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) provides committed, visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, we support a network of African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises. Learn more at usblackchambers.org.
Business
Deadline Aug. 5: Center for Black Entrepreneurship Opens Paid Internship Program for AUC Students
(ATLANTA — August 3, 2026) — The Center for Black Entrepreneurship is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Paid Internship Program, offering students across the Atlanta University Center an opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience while supporting programs designed to empower entrepreneurs.
The internship program is open to eligible students attending Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Morris Brown College.
Available internship opportunities include:
- Marketing and social media
- Photography and videography
- Administrative operations
Selected interns will work alongside Center for Black Entrepreneurship staff and industry partners while gaining real-world experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, event management, operations and program administration. Interns will also have opportunities to strengthen their professional skills, expand their networks and contribute to events and initiatives serving the AUC community.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be a sophomore, junior or senior
- Be currently enrolled at Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University or Morris Brown College
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Attend mandatory team meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m.
- Be available for occasional evening and weekend events
- Commit approximately 10 to 15 hours per week throughout the academic year
Required Application Materials
Students should be prepared to submit:
- A résumé
- A professional biography of at least 200 words
- An official or unofficial transcript
- One letter of recommendation
- A portfolio or work samples for photography and videography or marketing and social media positions
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 5 p.m.
With the deadline quickly approaching, interested and eligible students are encouraged to gather their materials and submit their applications as soon as possible.
The Center for Black Entrepreneurship is a collaborative initiative serving the Atlanta University Center and working to strengthen the pipeline of Black entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, professional development and access to entrepreneurial resources.
APPLY
(RICHMOND – February 23, 2026) – Black-owned newspapers are disappearing before our eyes.
Historic institutions that once carried our stories, defended our dignity, and documented our victories are folding across the country. Newsrooms that anchored neighborhoods for generations are going quiet. Seniors who relied on the printed word are now being forced into a digital world that did not wait for them.
This is not just a Black problem. It is not even just an American problem. It is global.
Technology disrupted everything.
We once used pagers. Then cell phones replaced them. House phones became optional. Now news lives in the palm of your hand. A single influencer with a smartphone can reach more people in seconds than a newsroom once could in a week.
The game changed.
Years ago, The Baltimore Sun recruited me to blog for them. Soon after, their reporters were required to shoot video on their phones. The thing is — I had already been doing that. Innovation wasn’t new to us. We were early.
But disruption leaves casualties.
When a Black newspaper closes, something more than a business disappears. Institutional memory vanishes. Accountability weakens. Community narrative shifts into someone else’s hands.
That void is dangerous.
That is why we built BlackUSA.News.
Not as nostalgia.
Not as resistance to change.
But as adaptation with intention.
I have worked in the Black Press since 1994. I have seen what happens when we control our story — and what happens when we don’t.
BlackUSA.News is our answer to this moment.
We are not watching the Black Press die.
We are rebuilding it — digitally, nationally, unapologetically.
And we welcome all who are ready to build with us.
Deadline Aug. 5: Center for Black Entrepreneurship Opens Paid Internship Program for AUC Students
N.C. A&T to Host 100th Greatest Homecoming on Earth Virtual News Conference on Friday
BlackUSA.News Unveils New National Platform Connecting Readers to America’s Leading Black Media
Gospel Legend Calvin Bridges Celebrates 50 Years of ‘I Can Go to God in Prayer,’ a Song That Helped Shape Black Gospel Music
Crawford Family Donates $2 Million to Spelman and Morehouse to Expand Opportunity for HBCU Students
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