Female Founder Makes History, Raises $1.5 Million in Funding for Black Woman-Owned Businesses

Dr. Cameka Smith, CEO and Founder of The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs, and event-based networking, continues to support the success of Black women entrepreneurs as it celebrates its 14th anniversary.

In addition, she has partnered with Sage, the global market leader for technology that provides small and medium businesses with the visibility, flexibility, and efficiency to manage finances, operations, and people, for the launch of the Sage “Invest in Progress” Grant Program, a $1.5 million dollar commitment to Black woman-owned businesses for over three years.

As Black business ownership continues to grow in the U.S., Black women entrepreneurs are experiencing an increasing rise despite a challenging economic forecast.

Smith launched the organization to promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women of color. Under Smith’s leadership, The BOSS Network (which stands for “Bringing Out Successful Sisters”) has become one of the fastest-growing women’s communities.

As part of its many efforts to benefit Black women entrepreneurs, Smith launched the BOSS Impact Fund, which will focus on investing in Black women-led businesses and preparing these entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. Its goal is to raise investment funding for 500+ Black women entrepreneurs over the next three years.

Sage and The BOSS Network are working together to remove the barriers that many entrepreneurs face by providing funding to support Black women entrepreneurs in the first five years of their business. In March, the BOSS Network and Sage announced its 35 winners who each received a $10,000 grant in addition to a yearlong monthly mentorship through the BOSS Business University, marketing for each business, and guidance to help Black women achieve their goals with everything that’s needed to successfully start and grow a business. (Click here for winner reaction videos.)

The BOSS Network has garnered several accolades such as a Top 50 Website for Entrepreneurs (Inc. Magazine), 10 Best Career Sites for Women (Forbes), and a top Twitter Account to Enhance Your College Experience (Black Enterprise). Smith has received numerous accolades and awards in recognition of her tireless dedication to women of color entrepreneurs and business leaders over the years. She has been lauded as a 40 under 40 entrepreneur by Ebony Magazine; one of the Top 40 Chicago Game Changers by Ariel Investments; The Network Journal’s 40 under 40 Business Leaders, and she was presented with a Brand Star award by Adweek.

Learn more about the BOSS Network at TheBossNetwork.org

About the Founder
In June 2022, JPMorgan Chase honored Dr. Cameka Smith during their Juneteenth celebration for her commitment to advancing business growth and entrepreneurship in the Black community. In addition, Smith was honored as a business leader along with Attorney and Civil Rights Leader Ben Crump by the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. In May 2022, Smith received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity International University.

She is available to talk about The BOSS Network’s 14th anniversary and Black Business Month.