“We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity in this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches and freedom and the security of justice.” -Dr. King While there has been progress made for African Americans on many fronts in the last 60 years, I often wonder if Dr. King, like my 103-year-old grandmother, would be shocked to witness the current backlash, human rights reversals and

By Dani Morris, Chief Transformation Officer, DM Strategic Solutions (DMSS) Grant Management Is Quietly Shaping Who Gets to Grow For many mission-driven organizations, grant management is still treated as a back-office responsibility. Something that happens after the “real work” is done. But as funding becomes more competitive, reporting requirements more complex, and teams leaner than ever, that mindset is no longer sustainable. Today, grant management directly affects an or

If you found this blog post before this one check that one out first and come back for next steps.  As referenced in the previous blog post , I had the opportunity as grantmaking intermediary to see the impact that incorporating trauma-informed practice can have on outcomes.  Here are actionable steps and tips to build or embed trauma-informed business support within your ecosystem. 1. Understand the core principles Before operationalising, get clarity on what “trauma-inform

Starting a business takes vision, resilience, and risk tolerance. For many entrepreneurs with disabilities, especially those with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits, entrepreneurship is more than a career choice — it’s a pathway to independence and self-determination. These entrepreneurs are much more likely to start a business but also have higher failure rates. We believe that these traits are superpowers that can give these business owners an advantage when the right supp

“Trauma‐informed” is a term most often used in human services and public health, but it has strong relevance for small business support, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building. Before launching GTB Advisors, I held a role serving as a grantmaking intermediary of a large corporate foundation and, as such, made grants to business support and workforce organizations. When a prospective grantee submitted a proposal to incorporate trauma-informed practices into their approach to

Right now, entrepreneurs across the U.S. are facing the same challenges: rising prices, cautious customers, and the need to stretch every dollar twice as far. And here’s the tough part: your business finances don’t live in a vacuum. When the business feels the squeeze, your home feels it too. That’s where a solid financial plan comes in. It properly connects your business and personal finances, protecting your livelihood and giving both sides room to grow. Since we are on the

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When we talk about strengthening communities, Black-led nonprofits and social enterprises play a critical role. These organizations are often built by people with lived experience who deeply understand the unique challenges that Black entrepreneurs face. They create pathways that combine access to capital, culturally competent training, and networks of support that make a real difference. Why does this matter? For generations, Black entrepreneurs have faced barriers to resour

Business support organizations: Disruption is the new normal. Whether it's economic downturns, regulatory shifts, climate related events,...

Too many small business owners are operating with no data to inform strategic decision making, and this has serious financial consequences for them and our community. What tools are you using to guide your clients towards profitable and sustaining businesses?

Hey there, savvy business owners! Let's explore the art of cash flow management by industry. Whether you're creating physical products,...