Advancing Economic Agency for Black Women
The Black Women’s Wealth Alliance (BWWA) is dedicated to strengthening economic positioning, ownership, and long-term stability for Black women. Founded in 2014, BWWA exists to address the gap between participation and wealth—supporting women in moving from income-based survival to ownership, capital access, and generational stability.
12 Years of Building Pathways to Wealth
Over the years, BWWA has served thousands through workshops, programs, grants, community activations, and leadership initiatives designed to move people from survival to strategy, and from strategy to ownership.
Impact Highlights
12 years of community-rooted leadership
5,000+ women engaged through programs, workshops, and events
$3M+ in grants and economic opportunity facilitated
A growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, partners, and resource leaders
A physical hub on West Broadway supporting economic collaboration
What We Do
The Ascent
BWWA’s Career & Economic Hub
The Ascent is the physical home of BWWA’s ecosystem work. Located in North Minneapolis, The Ascent is a multi-use economic and cultural destination where individuals come to build, grow, and position themselves for ownership. It serves as BWWA’s Career & Economic Hub—bringing together business activity, learning, access to resources, and community connection in one place.
Through The Ascent, BWWA creates an environment where women can access opportunity, strengthen their economic direction, and connect to a broader network of support.
Career to Ownership Institute
A cohort-based learning experience supporting Black women in developing a clear path toward ownership and long-term economic stability.
Economic Agency Report & Annual Event
An annual report and public convening examining the economic realities, challenges, and opportunities impacting Black women.
Hoperah Fund
A capital and philanthropic initiative supporting individuals, businesses, and community-based efforts aligned with long-term economic growth.
BWWA is committed to moving beyond participation and toward ownership, positioning, and long-term impact.
Our Next Era
After more than a decade of serving thousands of women through programs, events, and community initiatives, Black Women’s Wealth Alliance is entering a new chapter.
This next phase focuses on building stronger systems that support economic agency, ownership, and generational stability for Foundational Black American women. Our work is organized around five connected pillars that together form the BWWA ecosystem.
I. Economic Agency Framework™
The intellectual foundation of BWWA’s work. It helps women strengthen decision-making power, financial direction, and the knowledge needed to navigate economic systems.
II. Career-to-Ownership Program
A cohort-based program that helps participants connect their income pathways to a long-term vision of ownership and wealth building.
III. Career & Economic Hub
A place-based strategy that creates space for entrepreneurs, partnerships, training, networking, and opportunity.
IV. Hoperah Fund:
BWWA’s capital pathway investing in women’s capacity to pursue entrepreneurship, stability, and economic opportunity.
V. ZaRah Integrated Root Center
The wellness arm of the BWWA ecosystem supporting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Featured Program Snapshot
From Career to Ownership
BWWA’s Career-to-Ownership Program is designed to help participants build a stronger long-term economic path.
The Career-to-Ownership Program helps participants build stronger long-term economic paths.
This work supports people whether they are:
• Advancing in employment
• Building a business
• Pursuing education
• Preparing for homeownership
• Strengthening financial stability.
The goal is not simply participation — the goal is ownership and long-term wealth strategy.
THE CAREER & ECONOMIC HUB
A Physical Center for Economic Advancement- A Place to Build
Located in North Minneapolis, the Career & Economic Hub is a collaborative campus for entrepreneurship, leadership development, and economic opportunity.
The hub brings together entrepreneurs, partners, and community members working to strengthen economic mobility.
The campus includes:
• Entrepreneur suites
• Community workshops
• Networking events
• Economic mobility partners
• ZaRah wellness services
• Shonte’s Place café
News / Event Feature
What’s Happening Now
African American Alliance of CDFI CEO’s is hosting a Midwest Hub Exchange – March 11 Join BWWA and regional partners for an important gathering focused on Black economic infrastructure, community finance, and the future of capital access.
Get Involved- There Are Many Ways to Build With Us
Join a Program
Strengthen your career, business, and long-term wealth path.
Become a Resource Partner
Collaborate with BWWA to support participants with housing, legal, capital, insurance, business, and workforce resources.
Support the Hoperah Fund
Invest in community capacity and long-term ownership pathways.
Attend an Event
Join conversations, workshops, leadership gatherings, and ecosystem events.