ABOUT BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurs create spaces that keep dollars inside their neighborhood, contribute to its culture, and engender self-sufficiency. Through funding from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and The Dream Keeper Initiative, we support entrepreneurs from the Bay Area’s Black community tell their own authentic stories. Harnessing the power of a story is an essential component of successful entrepreneurship, allowing our collaborators to become agents of their own stories that might otherwise be overlooked or misrepresented.
Joseph Broussard created his apparel business Dreamer Boyz to honor his late mother and brother. With his hard work and ambition to better his life, he’s showing his community there’s no limit to how big you can dream.
Chris Renfro doesn’t just grow grapes on a hillside above 280 for wine. He reclaims the land as part of an African-American tradition of building power through agriculture.
David Denson co-founded Green Streets in 2010 and has worked in waste diversion in innovative ways as an entrepreneur. Now he leads his own company, Mayday Hauling, in efforts to help SF reach its goal of Zero Waste.
Brandi Porter lovingly provides free haircuts and hair braiding services to young Black children to help raise their self-esteem and feel good about their “crowning glory.” Her desire to “give back” is an inspiration for others to serve the community through micro-enterprises.
Ian James, laid off due to COVID, turned his hobby of making one-of-a-kind high quality leather goods into a boutique fashion brand.
Afatasi The Artist uses her artwork boldly ask “Past injustices have shaped present-day realities, so what does this mean for our futures?” As a mixed-media conceptual artist and futurist, her artwork is a continuous exploration of the intersectionality of race, culture, gender, class, and geopolitics.
Fernay McPherson grew up working in the kitchen alongside my great aunt Minnie and my grandmother Lillie Bell. Now after 8 years of growing her restaurant, she’s bringing Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement home to the Fillmore.
Gayle Hart can be found at festivals, parades, and block parties around San Francisco serving up frozen treats from The Geez Freeze’s food truck. Hart also gives back to her community through youth entrepreneurship education, inspiring the next generation of business owners.
Le’Kesha Howard is dedicated to providing essential support and enrichment to the youth and adults in San Francisco. Her organization KeshCares distributes a wide array of resources and hosts events with great giveaways to uplift and support the community.
Shante Saulsberry found her passion for video production while filming her son’s basketball games. Now she uses her production company A’Shannie Productions to spread joy and uplift spirits with positive messaging.
Project Team
Marketing Director: Sophie Constantinou
Project Director: Tamara Walker
Production Team: Aareus Ashford, Caron Creighton, Sadiq Norris, Omari Scott, Dajona Silva, Vanessa Ellis, Zoe Hertz, Kate Stilley Steiner
PROJECT COLLABORATORS
Embellished Ideas, Graphic Design
Studio Epiphany, Coach
Alana Black, Writer
Quincy Casey, Technology Specialist
LeKesha Howard, Community Outreach
Maiyio Jackson-Taylor, Web Designer
Rafael Perez, Technology Specialist
Elisha Rochell, Photographer
CJ Story, Photographer
Layla Turner, Financial Coach
Marco Williams, Photographer
