Sheila Ronning

"By Us: The Beauty of Black-Owned" is a section of The Encounter, our newsletter at Enharmonic Encounters LLC, dedicated to spotlighting Black women business owners.   Seana K. is the Founder and CEO of Elleria Consulting, a New York–based firm reimagining what it means to build just, human-centered workplaces. With a background in applied psychology and years of experience shaping diversity and inclusion initiatives, Seana brings both analytical precision and deep compassion to her work.   Her vision for Elleria Consulting grew from witnessing how often people’s worth is measured by their productivity rather than their humanity. Through her firm, she partners with organizations to design cultures rooted in care, accountability, and collective growth—where data becomes a storytelling tool and transformation is measured by impact, not optics.   For Seana, this work is more than consulting—it’s a movement. One that challenges outdated systems, amplifies those most often unheard, and dares to imagine workplaces where everyone belongs and has the freedom to thrive.   Are you a Black woman business owner? We want to get to know you, support you, and feature you on our channels! To learn more about how we support Black women, subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eA3YMZfr   #blackowned #blackwomen #businessforgood #elleriaconsulting #enharmonicenc #socialgood

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August is National Black Business Month—a time to honor the resilience, innovation and leadership of Black entrepreneurs and professionals whose contributions shape the backbone of our economy. In my latest article, “The Importance of the Black Professional in the Modern Workplace: From Entrepreneurship to Corporate Leadership,” I highlight how Black professionals and Black-owned businesses are not only vital to organizational growth but are also essential for companies striving to effectively serve an increasingly multi-cultural and global consumer base. The truth is this: ✅ Black professionals bring diverse perspectives that fuel innovation. ✅ Black businesses drive economic growth and community impact. ✅ Representation in leadership builds trust, cultural relevance, and stronger connections with consumers. To thrive in the modern marketplace, organizations must recognize that equity and inclusion are not just moral imperatives—they are business imperatives. Supporting and amplifying Black talent and businesses creates a competitive advantage that benefits everyone. As we celebrate this month, let’s not only honor contributions but also commit to investing in the systems and structures that enable Black professionals and businesses to flourish. Full article below. #NationalBlackBusinessMonth #Leadership #ImpactThroughInclusion #FutureOfWork #Innovation #WemaHoover https://lnkd.in/eKK3K4g9

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Black women are a powerful force in entrepreneurship, driving significant economic growth and job creation. While they represent a substantial portion of Black-owned businesses, they also face systemic challenges, particularly in securing funding and navigating the business landscape. Their businesses contribute to job creation in their local communities, particularly benefiting Black residents who may face barriers to traditional employment.

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Venture needs new voices. These investors are bringing them. They’re backing bold ideas. Building breakout funds. Creating real access. Black investors are still underrepresented, but these 10 are changing that—fast: ✅ Brentt Baltimore – Principal at Greycroft; investor in AI + ML startups like Groundlight and Sailplan; co-leads BLCK VC LA ✅ Brian Brackeen – GP at Lightship; backing underrepresented founders across AI, health-tech, and CPG ✅ Lisa Coca – Partner at Toyota Ventures; leading climate-focused investments for carbon neutrality ✅ Erica Duignan Minnihan – Founder of Reign Ventures; 15+ years backing women & minority-led startups ✅ Tessa Flippin – Founder of Capitalize VC; investing in pre-seed diverse founders at the intersection of commerce and fintech ✅ Dan Gebremedhin MD, MBA – Partner at Flare Capital Partners; former Harvard physician now investing in healthcare tech ✅ Frederik Groce – Deal Lead at Wellington; co-founder of BLCK VC, the largest Black VC network in the U.S. ✅ Uriridiakoghene (Ulili) Onovakpuri – Managing Partner at Kapor Capital; co-leads $126M fund backing transformative, inclusive startups ✅ Sydney Sykes – Partner at Lightspeed; consumer investor and co-founder of BLCK VC ✅ Samer Yousif – Senior Associate at Insight Partners; co-leads 20/20 Vision Fund backing diverse emerging managers This isn’t just about representation. It’s about returns. 🔗 Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gtJdtx-E #VC #innovation #capital #startups #finance

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According to @foundersforum 2.3% of funding went to female-only founding teams in 2024 while 83.6% went to all-male founding teams. This gap isn’t about talent, it’s about access. When we invest in Black women, we invest in innovation and community. The resources that benefit us usually benefits ALL. 💰📚

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