Black Women Investors Network

About Black Women Investors Network

Black Women Investors Network (BWI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening representation, access, and participation across the private equity, venture capital, and broader alternatives ecosystem. Our Core Thesis: BWI believes that building a more effective and inclusive capital markets ecosystem requires progress on both sides of the capital equation. While founders continue to face significant barriers accessing institutional and growth capital, there is an equally important need to broaden representation among the investors, fund managers, and allocators responsible for deploying capital. Today, women and people of color remain significantly underrepresented across the investment ecosystem, with diverse-owned firms managing less than 2% of U.S. assets under management, while Black founders receive less than 2% of venture funding annually. These gaps are interconnected. Who participates in the investment ecosystem influences who receives capital, which businesses scale, and who has the opportunity to build wealth. BWI focuses on strengthening the entire capital ecosystem—from developing the next generation of investors and funders to creating pathways between capital providers and founders. Our Pillars: 1. Representation Expanding the participation, visibility, and influence of underrepresented professionals across private equity, venture capital, and alternative investments. 2. Skill & Leadership Development Providing tailored education, mentorship, and professional development to build investment expertise, leadership capacity, and confidence. 3. A Connected Ecosystem Cultivating a trusted network connecting investors, fund managers, founders, funders, and industry leaders to create meaningful relationships and long-term opportunity. 4. Advocacy & Awareness Increasing awareness of representation and capital-access gaps while advancing practices that contribute to a more inclusi