Shake a Hand. Make a Friend.
Let’s build something that matters.
Bring your story, your skill or a community need to NBWSAA. Choose a useful starting point below.
Current choices · Collaboration pilots · Future pathways
START WITH WHAT YOU CAN USE NOW
Learn & The Pencils — family learning and stories.
Find Black-owned businesses — discovery and listing inquiries.
Practical resource pathways — information about housing, employment, assistance and business support.
Business & community questions — explain what you are working on.
Builder interest — share a skill you want to contribute; interest is not a paid role or leadership appointment.
Share a community need or idea — describe the need, place and people it would serve.
Reclaim Your Time workbook — plan in your own spreadsheet copy.
Printable worksheets — nine pages for planning with a pen.
Join the free community — community membership, Griot reader access and Builder interest are separate paths.
Choose an inquiry topic in your message so we can understand the next step you need. Keep completed financial records private.
FOR BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS
Four pilot concepts give a specific audience one useful starting point. These are proposed collaborations, not booked services or confirmed clients.
Heritage & collections
Introduce one collection or program with attribution and permission. Bring the audience, permitted materials and reviewer. Ask about introducing a collection →
Business & entrepreneurship
Help readers prepare for a verified program. Bring the program link, audience, eligibility, cost and appropriate contact. Ask about a preparation guide →
Growers & markets
Guide shoppers or producers to an existing market. Bring the location, current vendor or participation details and intended reader. Ask about a market guide →
Libraries & learning
Introduce useful business and learning resources. Bring the resource link, access requirements and responsible department. Ask about a resource introduction →
Before beginning, we would agree on one deliverable, review and corrections. Audience size, sales, capital, enrollment and placement are not promised.
BUILDING TOWARD
Six future pathways are in development. You can share your interest; booking and enrollment are not open.
Builder development & leadership — structured preparation for serving locally.
Business & entrepreneurship support — preparation, resources and qualified connections.
Financial & ownership education — guided household and business learning.
Workforce & skills connections — training shaped by actual providers and needs.
Local organizing & chapter tools — practical support for responsible community collaboration.
Community partnerships & events — future joint projects, events and convenings.
Name the pathway that interests you in your inquiry. Opening depends on the EIN and federal 501(c)(3) process, organizational capacity, safeguards and Renee’s approval. EIN or exemption alone does not open a program. Scope, eligibility, availability and any cost will be stated before opening.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUILD?
Start with a short introduction: your idea, who it serves, where the work would happen, and any existing project or resource links.
An inquiry starts a conversation; it does not reserve an appointment or confirm a service, price, funding, or partnership.