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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RT @KearneyForCincy: So excited to finally see the Ezzard Charles statue unveiled! This wonderful West End gem is the perfect honor for suc…
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Applications are now open for P!+ch, Please! City Wide Pitch Competition. Will YOU be our next big winner? Appli… https://t.co/X48K7UJZre
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MORTAR Homecoming is 25 days away! Today's vendor spotlights are Candra Evans with Abundantly You Bath & Body and I… https://t.co/6yYuqsLH2O
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Congrats to Giving Tuesday Grant Recipient, Savon Gibson! MORTAR launched the Giving Tuesday Grant initiative to pr… https://t.co/YBo8ZS303T
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30. MORE. DAYS. We can't wait for you to join us for MORTAR Homecoming Volume II! #MORTARhomecoming… https://t.co/71dm4HDg7A
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Congrats to Giving Tuesday Grant Recipient, Shantel Routt! MORTAR launched the Giving Tuesday Grant initiative to p… https://t.co/72Sg4dY8xb
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Congratulations to Angela Sexton, Giving Tuesday Grant Recipient! MORTAR launched the Giving Tuesday Grant initiati… https://t.co/Gh6zhzATK9
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RT @candicecincy: Join us this Wednesday!
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The face of work has changed, and is continuing to change. We're thankful to be connected to amazing thought partne… https://t.co/EPnsLAuILd
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Congratulations to Dannika Stevenson, Giving Tuesday Grant Recipient! Dannika is the owner of Sip.Savor.Soul. To… https://t.co/PTyBsLC2XJ
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Countdown alert!!! Mark that calendar because you DON'T want to miss it. 53 days until MORTAR Homecoming! … https://t.co/rDOXJnM00s
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RT @npquarterly: .@RDFoxworth argues that for nonprofit institutions to practice the economy they want to create, they must share power and…
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RT @TechOhioGov: Congratulations, recipients! The Lincoln & Gilbert Fund, managed by @ULGSO, @weareMORTAR, @GCNKAA and @GCMINATION, have an…
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RT @StandTogether: To kick off our Denver #STFCatalystCommunity Summit this week, we're highlighting our newest partner organizations start…
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RT @StandTogether: It’s day 2 of the Denver Summit! We’re asking nonprofit leaders, “what’s your ‘why’?” #STFCatalystCommunity #nonprofits…
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RT @BeUptownCincy: Press #PAUSE on #ShortVine. Pause Cincy is a collection of black-owned businesses offering an assortment of cold-pressed…