Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) Black professionals aspire to start their own business within the next year, according to a recent LinkedIn report. This surge is part of a broader movement as professionals increasingly turn to freelancing, consulting, or launching side hustles to gain flexibility and control over their careers. Why Entrepreneurship is on the Rise Several factors contribute to this rise in entrepreneurial ambition. The report reveals that 85% of Black professionals believe having multiple streams of income is essential, and 69% say recent layoffs in the news have
Wray & Nephew held their Wray Forward Pitch Night this week featuring a number of Black-owned businesses from AI music sampling to the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant in London. Wray Forward The Wray Forward Pitch Night saw six Black founders take to the stage to showcase their businesses and pitch to a panel of expert judges to secure grants to help their businesses grow. Part of the brand’s ongoing Wray Forward activity is in partnership with Foundervine – a program supporting Black businesses through funding, educational workshops, mentorship and
Wray & Nephew, the renowned Jamaican rum brand, has partnered with Foundervine to launch the third iteration of their ‘Wray Forward’ program. Research by Wray & Nephew found that 68% of Black entrepreneurs in the UK experience a lack of business tools and resources. Additionally, 76% think that having early access to the right tools could have accelerated their success. A fifth of Black entrepreneuers also needed help with fundraising. These findings underlined the need for support in the Black entrepreneurial community. The ‘Wray Forward’ Initiative The ‘Wray Forward’ initiative connects Black entrepreneurs