Economic and business development group receives $300,000 grant

Jun 4

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses

The West Michigan Black Economic and Business Development Group (WMBEBDG), a regional collective of Black-led entrepreneur support organizations, has been awarded a $300,000 Trusted Connector Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to strengthen the Black business ecosystem across West Michigan.

Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group united to address longstanding disparities by connecting entrepreneurs to essential resources and advocating for equitable relief. Founding organizations of the West Michigan Black Economic and Business Development Group include: Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), Sisters In Business, Black Wall Street Kalamazoo, and Black Wall Street Muskegon.

“This $300K funding affirms that collaborative, community-rooted leadership is essential to West Michigan’s future. It’s a catalyst to scale our shared vision: one ecosystem, regional reach,” the group said in a statement. “These funds will be used to enhance our regional infrastructure. Through our collective, entrepreneurs will benefit from supplier and distribution connections, service referrals, shared networks, pooled resources, and consistent mentorship, whether they’re just launching or scaling for growth.”

WMBEBDG’s work builds systems designed to eliminate structural gaps rather than replicate conventional models.

“Our focus isn’t on replicating the models of large organizations, we’re building systems that don’t create gaps in the first place,” said Nicole Triplett, Founder, Black Wall Street Kalamazoo. “We center the lived experiences, resilience, and resourcefulness that have sustained Black communities for generations, even when those efforts fall outside of conventional frameworks.”

The Trusted Connector Grant program supports organizations that engage under-represented small businesses and tech-based entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking, technical assistance, and outreach.

“Receiving a grant isn’t just funding, it’s a launchpad,” said Lashae Simmons II, Founder and President, Black Wall Street Muskegon. “We take that opportunity, multiply it, build on it, and pass it forward so under-represented entrepreneurs can rise higher.”

WMBEBDG’s mission is to build larger Black-owned businesses and enhance Black economic resilience in West Michigan. The collective aims to provide barrier-free access to capital, coaching, and collaboration across counties under its guiding vision: One Ecosystem. Regional Reach. Collective Power.

“Collective impact is not just a buzzword for me; it’s the blueprint,” said Jamiel Robinson, Founder and CEO, Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses. “When Black-founded and led institutions build together across regions, we challenge systemic barriers, grow our influence, and create the infrastructure our communities need to thrive.”

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