200+
Volunteers
150+
Businesses Enrolled
50+
Organizational Partners
grindfest 2024
Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 3-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville. This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community.
WHO WE ARE
We are a Black business incubator with a mission to help people turn their ideas into reality and to build a supportive community for BIPOC business owners.
WHAT WE DO
We provide opportunities for professional development through programs, events, mentoring, and coaching with support from our partners.
Story from the Founder
Black Wall Street in Asheville started in 2020 as local people collaborated in response to economic disparities in Asheville. That year, GRIND, LLC received funding from NC IDEA Foundation to launch this idea as a program that would enroll 20 Black Businesses and help them reach $250,000 in revenue together. Amazingly, they enrolled 74 businesses who generated over $1 Million in revenue and created 22 jobs. In 2021 Black Wall Street was incorporated as a 501c3 organization with GRiND as a social enterprise supporting it. This business incubator continues its work to bridge economic gaps and remove barriers for people of color to thrive in business.
Meet Our Partners
At the heart of our mission is a dedication to economic development and community empowerment. None of this would be possible without the invaluable support of our esteemed partners. These collaborators, ranging from local businesses to community leaders and advocacy groups, share our vision of fostering economic growth and creating lasting opportunities for the Black community in Asheville. Join us on this transformative journey as we work together to build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future.
We are Proud to Present
Black Wall Street was invited to speak to the Federal Reserve Bank
National Finalist for Truist Inspire Award 2022
Nominated for Business Support Organization of the Year 2022