AN EQUITABLE SOLUTION FOR DETROIT

In Detroit, 80% of the population is Black, while only a chosen few have been funded to lead the city’s “comeback.” Black Leaders Detroit will change that by challenging 1 million people to give at least $1/week to elevate

Black changemakers in the city.

Donate to become a member that supports Black-led businesses and builds community.

JOIN NOW

$733,000

distributed to black-led businesses and organizations.

Group Economics

By pooling our resources together, we can help fund Black-led businesses and non-profits that support our local economy.

Stable Neighborhoods

When funded projects become successful, the return on investment ultimately leads to neighborhood stabilization.

Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. We will control our narrative by strengthening the economic foundation of our communities.

ABOUT US

Fully aware that Detroiters of African descent have never lacked creativity, viable economic strategies, entrepreneurial zeal, or innovative business

models, Black Leaders Detroit aims to diminish the disparities by providing the one thing that has been lacking: financial support.

OUR VISION

A model and thriving city of fully empowered, responsive leaders and entrepreneurs reflective of its demographics.

OUR PLAN

We want 1 million members to contribute $1/week to fund our plan to change lives and impact black residents and communities in Detroit.

OUR MISSION

To provide financial support for diverse social and community impact projects originated and led by Detroiters of African descent.

WHY BLACK LEADERS DETROIT?

Ongoing Support

BLD will leverage long-standing local and national self-empowerment sentiment among African-Americans with current social media networking habits and mobile application technology into an ongoing $1 per week funding campaign.

Restoring Trust

Socioeconomic inequity has led to tension, mistrust, justifiable frustration, and what some call the emergence of an “old and new” Detroit narrative.

Neighborhood Stabilization

Decades long divestment coupled with white (and black) flight depleted the city’s tax base and severely limited economic development, especially within neighborhoods.

Self-Empowerment

The remaining African American middle class that stayed the course decry the absence of interest, investment, and stabilization efforts to further empower them and grow their numbers.

New Opportunities

With positive population growth in Detroit, economic opportunities abound in certain sectors but sorely lack local African American leadership or participation.

Wealth Building

A Detroit Future City report charts a plummeting of Detroit’s middle class from 54% to 25% from 1990 to 2010.

OUR TEAM

Dwan Dandridge

CEO/Founder

Ken Elkins

COO/Co-Founder

Sharea Ayers

Director of Membership Growth & Events

Jarod Pratt

Development & Communications Coordinator

Kevin Taylor

Loan Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kim Uhuru

Deputy Administrator Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission

Quan Neloms

Career Counselor

Wayne RESA

Shannon Gaston

Director

Spirit of Detroit Project

Duan’te Anderson

Area Manager
Ford Motor Company

Dominique Campbell

Founder
Rise Up Higher

FUNDING BOARD

Rachael Allen

COO
Marygrove Conservancy

Verne Perigord

Advisory Director
PWC

Aprila Ringo

Education Assistant
Central Detroit Christian

Danielle North

Executive Director

Degree Forward

Kathy Morgan

Corporate Engagement Specialist
Flagstar Bank

Leon Petty

Owner
Go Green

April Anderson

Owner
Good Cakes and Bakes

Jason Barnett

Senior Vice President
Invest Detroit

LaTrice McClendon

Community President

Huntington Bank

Danielle North

Executive Director
Degree Forward

Kathy Morgan

Corporate Engagement Specialist
Flagstar Bank

Leon Petty

Owner
Go Green

ALLY COUNCIL

Though the group that we are looking to provide financial support for is very specific, the supporters of the work come from varied backgrounds. We are glad to have committed allies that are invested in the work that we are doing. We have asked some of them to serve on an ally council. This council will serve as a vital piece when it comes to BLD creating access to capital for Black Entrepreneurs.