

Entrepreneurs thrive when they are able to work freely and truly focus on their gifts in building their brands and businesses. But that focus can be tough when the finances are tight, dwindling, or just not available for key parts of the journey like expansion. Well, we've got all our xoNecole budding entrepreneurs and businesswomen covered with millions in funding opportunities that you can literally apply for from the comfort of your computer screen.
Check out a few awesome options to get your business off the ground, finance a new phase, or just invest in bettering the process of offering your best product or service to the world.
(Oh, and all application information and websites can be accessed by clicking each title. Get your money sis!)
Funding Opportunities for Black Women Entrepreneurs
LIFEWTR's #LifeUnseenContest
This one is targeted toward creatives, and anyone interested in the $10,000 in funds, as well as a mentoring session with Issa Rae, will need to follow LIFEWTR's Instagram, shoot their shot via a pitch presented on the platform, tag them, and use the hashtag. There will be five winners chosen and the deadline is July 30.
National Black MBA Association's Scale Up Pitch Challenge
If you have a big idea for a business that you can scale to succeed over time, you could win $50,000 with this one. You'll get to connect with investors and venture capitalists as well. The deadline is July 26.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund
There are 25 $10,000 grants up for grabs for small business owners via SIA Scotch's partnership with Hello Alice, an online entrepreneurship resource for funding and more. The deadline is August 10.
Eat Me Guilt Free's You Glow Girl Grant
Eat Me Guilt Free, a maker of protein-filled baked treats, is offering $10,000 to finance a lucky woman's entrepreneurial dreams. They're also offering a one-year supply of their products, a Peloton bike, and a one-year mentorship with founder Cristie Besu. The deadline is August 1.
Halstead Grant
This is a unique opportunity for jewelry entrepreneurs that includes a $7,500 cash grant and other resources, and it's presented by Halstead Bead Inc., a family-owned company with more than 40 years in the business. The deadline is August 1.
Comcast Rise
This multimedia giant is offering marketing, creative, media and technology services and resources to minority-owned businesses, much of which is almost priceless but clearly worth thousands of dollars. The deadline is July 31.
National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants
National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis and there's up to $4,000 available to each recipient. Applicants must be members of the organization, and there are rolling deadlines.
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'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage