
MORTAR
Model & Strategy
MORTAR’s mission is to use entrepreneurship for historically marginalized populations as a way to change lives, preserve diverse communities, and stem the wealth gap in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, their multi-pronged strategy includes a culturally relevant entrepreneurship and business development curriculum; access to start-up capital for those who have completed the curriculum; brick and mortar pop-up shops for entrepreneurs; and city-level advocacy to support entrepreneurs of color and female entrepreneurs.



MORTAR is led by founder and Executive Director Allen Woods, who also serves as a business consultant and training facilitator for incoming students. Allen has been recognized as a Cincinnati Business Courier 40 Under 40 Business Leader, is a recipient of the John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Award, an Echoing Green BMA Fellow. Allen Woods is also a sought-after public speaker who recently shined on the TEDx stage. As a brand strategist and designer, Allen assisted directly in the growth of hundreds of small businesses and personal brands across the globe.
Impact
The largest demographic of entrepreneurs nationally continues to be Black women (with the number of Black women business owners growing by 89% just in the past year) and that trend remains true in the MORTAR community of students and alumni. 65% of the 261 MORTAR graduates are Black women.
38 new businesses were created as well as 79 new jobs following completion of our Entrepreneurship Academy in 2019.
Since 2015, MORTAR has awarded $263,000 in loans, grants, and equity investments to graduates of our program.
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Pata Roja Taqueria Finds Permanent Home Through Partnership with Pendleton's Bar Saeso https://t.co/7aa7nTOsZi
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the WOMEN of MORTAR – Erikka Gray https://t.co/iB3kWQFwiJ /// #WeAreMORTAR #FutureHistoryNOW #theWOMENofMORTAR… https://t.co/DlHdeDsBLv
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the WOMEN of MORTAR – Kiaya Carter https://t.co/gW078zwBjN /// #WeAreMORTAR #FutureHistoryNOW #theWOMENofMORTAR… https://t.co/gQR5NUqznR
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the WOMEN of MORTAR – Katie Lindsay https://t.co/kCy7ovzdMh /// #WeAreMORTAR #FutureHistoryNOW #theWOMENofMORTAR… https://t.co/3kp9lJUqzc
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Celebrating Black History Month with Cincinnati Local Business Owners — The Scout Guide | Cincinnati #WeareMORTAR… https://t.co/XxBKEjIPe3
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MORTAR received new funding from Hamilton County: Here’s how the group will use it #Lockland #LincolnHeights… https://t.co/XC1FTBb3pk
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RT @cintrifuse: A great opportunity to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the incredible work of local Black visual artists! Check…
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Future History Now 2021: Black Art Gallery // OPEN TODAY FROM NOON-7PM // 963 East McMillan, Walnut Hills, Cincinna… https://t.co/j31OZUfpc8
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Cincy Inno - MORTAR received new funding: Here’s how the group will use it https://t.co/lsJ3bjfKsR ///… https://t.co/XIcH4pMzWc
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ATTENTION: Entrepreneurs in Forest Park, Lincoln Heights & Lockland, Ohio! TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY to get your appli… https://t.co/E97UZgP0UE
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Black Ambition is working towards closing the opportunity & wealth gap through entrepreneurship by investing in Bla… https://t.co/0dHGDU3tlJ
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Check out #FutureHistoryNOW 2021: Black Art Gallery on Eventbrite! Date: Fri, Feb 12 - March 14 Location: 963 Eas… https://t.co/kPvwRJwVRM
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#FutureHistoryNow In 2021, MORTAR is taking Future History Now to another level by highlighting and celebrating a… https://t.co/uLWk4EjIKN
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#FutureHistoryNow In 2021, MORTAR is taking Future History Now to another level by highlighting and celebrating a d… https://t.co/gwLJOGdh1Q
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#MORTARCovington aims to replicate #MORTARCincinnati's entrepreneurship program's success in Northern Kentucky… https://t.co/LU7mVM8f7o
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Congratulations to these trailblazers! https://t.co/MmxwYhHKc0
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Have you signed up for our #newsletter yet? If not - be sure to join the MORTAR email family. Part of our EOY messa… https://t.co/6Vx4aCj4jO
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#ICYMI: A couple years ago, we started a YouTube channel that was designed to showcase not only our work, but the t… https://t.co/xFRwyLAW5k
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Happy Monday, Dreamers & Doers!! What will you do to be great this week? (And if it’s “make it to Friday” - that’s… https://t.co/iL5e7qfcIT