Community Resources

Grants, scholarships, organizations & financial tools

Diaspora Economic Power

$1.75 Trillion Spending Power - Larger Than Canada's Economy

Featured: African Union Message from African American Leaders

"Use African Diaspora to Develop" - A bold call to action for Pan-African economic collaboration

The New Africa Channel

Key Takeaways

$1.75 Trillion - African diaspora spending power in the USA alone exceeds Canada's entire economy

6th Region - African Union framework recognizing diaspora as integral part of Africa

$6.6B+ - JFK Airport rebuild minority set-aside (30% of $22B project)

South-South Trade - Direct economic relationships bypassing traditional intermediaries

"The doors of no return are now destinations for Africans in the Americas to return and help rebuild."

— African Diaspora Leaders at the African Union

Key Diaspora Initiatives

The 6th Region Initiative

Active - Nigeria ratified

African Union framework recognizing the African diaspora as the "6th Region" of Africa, enabling direct economic participation.

Impact: Creates formal diaspora bureaus in each African country

TransAfrica Rebuild

Proposed

Initiative to rebuild a powerful lobbying organization for Africa in Western governments, similar to pro-Israel or pro-China lobbies.

Impact: Political advocacy and policy influence

African-American Think Tank

Proposed

Proposed network to collect, focus, and develop economic ideas from Africa and the Americas, bringing together top minds.

Impact: Policy development and strategic planning

South-South Trade Networks

Growing

Direct trade relationships between African diaspora and African nations, bypassing traditional European intermediaries.

Impact: Estimated $1.75 trillion diaspora purchasing power

Economic Opportunities

US Infrastructure Minority Set-Asides

Major US infrastructure projects allocate 20-30% for minority contractors. JFK Airport: $2.3B awarded to MWBEs (NY state record).

Action: African businesses can partner with diaspora firms for contracts

Potential: $19B total project value

EB-5 Investor Visa Program

$800K-$1.05M investment creates path to US residency for investor + spouse + children under 21.

Action: Strategic investment for mobility and opportunity

Potential: Legal US residency and business access

State-Level Reparations Movements

Growing state and local reparations initiatives that can be pursued without federal action.

Action: Advocacy and community organization

Potential: Direct investment in Black communities

Business Grants

Amber Grant for Women

$10,000/month

Monthly grants for women-owned businesses. No restrictions on business type.

Women business ownersApply

FedEx Small Business Grant

Up to $50,000

Annual competition for small businesses with prizes totaling $250,000.

US small businessesApply

NAACP/Airbnb Black Travel Fund

$2,500-$5,000

Grants for Black-owned hospitality and travel businesses.

Black hospitality businessesApply

Hello Alice Black Business Grant

$25,000

Grants specifically for Black-owned small businesses. Multiple rounds annually.

Black business ownersApply

Visa Foundation Grants

Up to $100,000

Grants supporting financial inclusion and small business development.

Small businessesApply

Fearless Fund

$25,000-$250,000

Venture capital fund investing in women of color-led businesses.

Women of color entrepreneursApply

Scholarships

UNCF (United Negro College Fund)

Varies

Largest provider of scholarships for Black students. 400+ scholarship programs.

Black studentsApply

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Up to $10,000

Scholarships for students at HBCUs. Includes career development programs.

HBCU studentsApply

Ron Brown Scholar Program

$40,000 over 4 years

Highly competitive scholarship for exceptional Black high school seniors.

Black high school seniorsApply

Jack and Jill Foundation Scholarships

Varies

Multiple scholarships for Black students pursuing higher education.

Black studentsApply

National Black MBA Association

Up to $15,000

Scholarships for Black students pursuing MBA degrees.

Black MBA studentsApply

AAUW Educational Funding

$5,000-$18,000

For women of color pursuing degrees in business, law, medicine, and STEM.

Women of colorApply

Support Organizations

Operation HOPE

Free financial coaching, credit counseling, and homebuyer programs.

Credit coachingHomebuyer classesSmall business support
Visit Website

National Urban League

Economic empowerment, education, and civil rights advocacy since 1910.

Job trainingHousing assistanceBusiness development
Visit Website

SCORE

Free business mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and executives.

1-on-1 mentoringWorkshopsBusiness templates
Visit Website

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Community development and investment in underserved neighborhoods.

Small business loansHousing developmentEconomic inclusion
Visit Website

Black Girl Ventures

Funding competition and community for Black and Brown women founders.

Pitch competitionsMentorshipFunding connections
Visit Website

100 Black Men of America

Mentoring, education, and economic empowerment programs.

Youth mentoringHealth initiativesEconomic development
Visit Website

Black Banks & CDFIs

(Community Development Financial Institutions)

Support Black-owned banks and community lenders that reinvest in underserved communities.

OneUnited Bank

Largest Black-owned bank in America with nationwide digital banking.

Personal and business bankingOpen Account

Hope Credit Union

Community development credit union serving the Deep South.

Banking, mortgages, small businessOpen Account

Carver Federal Savings Bank

Black-owned bank serving urban communities since 1948.

Personal banking, mortgages, business loansOpen Account

Industrial Bank

One of the oldest and largest Black-owned banks in America.

Commercial and consumer bankingOpen Account

AU Diaspora Programs

(Official & Partner Organizations)

Connect directly with African Union initiatives and country-specific diaspora engagement programs.

African Union CIDO

Official AU Body

Citizens and Diaspora Directorate

Official AU body connecting diaspora with the continent. Coordinates diaspora engagement policies across member states.

Visit Portal

AU Sixth Region Global (AU6RG)

Diaspora Network

AU Sixth Region Global

Platform for diaspora collaboration with African Union. Mobilizes African Americans for AU engagement.

Visit Portal

African Diaspora Network

Investment Network

African Diaspora Network

Premier organization connecting African diaspora investors and entrepreneurs. Annual symposiums and mentorship.

Visit Portal

Ghana Year of Return Legacy

Country Program

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre

Right to Indefinite Stay for diaspora. Gateway to West African markets with special diaspora programs.

Visit Portal

Rwanda Diaspora Investment

Country Program

Rwanda Development Board

24-hour online company registration. No minimum capital requirement. East African Community access.

Visit Portal

African Investment Vehicles

Bonds, ETFs, and investment programs for diaspora investors to participate in African development.

African Development Bank Bonds

AAA

Safest way to invest in African development. Same credit rating as US Treasury. Backed by 81 member countries.

Yield: 3-5% annuallyMajor brokerages (Fidelity, Schwab)
Learn More

Kenya M-Akiba Mobile Bonds

B (Kenya)

World's first mobile-phone-based government bond. Revolutionary $30 minimum via M-Pesa.

Yield: 10% annuallyM-Pesa mobile app
Learn More

Nigeria Diaspora Bonds

B-

Bonds specifically targeted at diaspora investors. Multiple issuances totaling $300M+.

Yield: 9-12% annuallyOfficial DMO portal
Learn More

EMB - iShares EM Bond ETF

Diversified

Easiest access to African sovereigns. ~15% allocation to African countries in diversified emerging market exposure.

Yield: 6-8% annuallyAny brokerage
Learn More

VanEck Africa ETF (AFK)

Diversified

Broad African equity market exposure. South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco holdings.

Yield: Variable (equity)Any brokerage
Learn More

MBE/DBE Certifications

Unlock access to $650B+ in annual federal spending and Fortune 500 corporate supply chains.

SBA 8(a) Business Development

Free

Most powerful certification. Sole-source contracts up to $7.5M with NO competition. 9-year program.

Eligibility: Black Americans presumed socially disadvantaged. Net worth <$850K.

Apply Now

NMSDC Certification

$300-$600/year

Opens Fortune 500 corporate supply chains. Apple, Walmart, JPMorgan all have 15-25% diverse supplier goals.

Eligibility: 51%+ minority-owned US business

Apply Now

DBE (DOT Transportation)

Free

Required for federal highway, transit, airport projects. 10% national goal. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creating massive opportunities.

Eligibility: Socially and economically disadvantaged

Apply Now

SAM.gov Registration

Free

Required for ALL federal contracts. Get your Unique Entity ID (UEI) first. Gateway to $650B+ in annual federal spending.

Eligibility: Any US business

Apply Now

📚 Full Course Available: Learn step-by-step how to get certified and win contracts in our MBE Certification Guide lesson

Pan-African Trade Infrastructure

The systems enabling African economic integration - trade agreements and payment infrastructure.

AfCFTA

African Continental Free Trade Area

World's largest free trade zone - 54 countries, 1.3B people, $3.4T GDP. Eliminates tariffs on 90% of goods.

$450B additional income by 2035 (World Bank)Visit

PAPSS

Pan-African Payment & Settlement System

Instant cross-border payments in local African currencies. Under 2 minutes, under 1% fees vs 5-7 days traditional.

$5B annual savings in transaction costsVisit

Afreximbank

African Export-Import Bank

Finances and promotes intra-African trade. Operates PAPSS. Trade finance, project finance, guarantee programs.

$40B+ in trade financingVisit

📚 Full Course Available: Deep dive into PAPSS, AfCFTA, and diaspora business opportunities in our Pan-African Trade Infrastructure lesson

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