In an effort to help Black businesses succeed and address economic disparities, Head and Heart Philanthropy teamed up with Surdna Foundation to launch the Mosaic Genius Exchange — a platform created to connect Black founders with investors and life-changing opportunities.

In a press release about the Mosaic Genius Exchange, Christal M. Jackson, founder of Mosaic Genius, explained that “the global pandemic confirmed the urgency of supporting underserved entrepreneurs and connecting investors committed to closing the wealth gap.”

The initiative is a “membership-only, community-based group” that links Black and brown entrepreneurs to the resources they need. Once registered, participants receive monthly newsletters with helpful content, as well as access to private events that include investors and other business owners. They also receive invitations to monthly Zoom meetings to connect with their community.

Patrice R. Green and Mekaelia Davis, who play integral roles in Surdna Foundation’s Inclusive Economies Program, were champions of the Mosaic Genius Exchange‘s efforts. At the peak of the pandemic, they went out of their way to advocate for Black businesses’ challenges.

“We understand the power of capital — in all its forms — as a tool for closing the racial wealth gap,” Davis, who’s the program’s director, said, according to the release. “Building social capital and strong networks through the Mosaic Genius Exchange is an important part of the toolkit for change.”

Green, a program officer, noted in the press release that “the best solutions come from within the communities most impacted by inequity.”

As part of the platform and in partnership with Black Ambition, a special Entrepreneurship Prize Competition was held at the 12th Annual Mosaic Genius Gathering on the Vineyard earlier this summer. The contest gave Black and Brown entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch business ventures for a chance to win access to mentorship and capital.

Winners of the competition have yet to be announced.