Why 1863™?
We accelerate black and brown entrepreneurs from high potential to high growth through rigorous leadership training and strategic market access.
Our thesis is that entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly viable pathway for the New Majority to build wealth. Our goal is to facilitate this trend by reducing barriers and risks for these founders across the nation.
Founder
1863 Ventures
Participants receive free, non-dilutive instruction from industry experts on a wide variety of topics framed around key best practices, systems & processes.
After instruction, participants apply their learnings in real-time to their business. After each program, they receive one-on-one support from both the 1863 team and Brain Trust in order to refine their strategy and implementation.
Core to our programs is improving operational efficiency, reducing execution risk and catalyzing growth through our rigorously developed, process based curriculum.
This curriculum is composed of six key areas of focus. Marketing, Sales, Fundraising, Finance & Accounting, Product, and Operations.
In addition to rigorous process development and management, all 1863 program participants gain access to our Brain Trust of experts across multiple sectors and disciplines.
CEO of Chigami Studios
& Adorned by Chi
We have programs designed to support brands in any sector or industry. Each is specifically crafted to launch participating brands to the next stage of entrepreneurial success.
Whether you're at the growth stage, and are preparing to scale existing systems and operations, or if your pre-growth and looking to establish those long overdue processes in the first place, we've got you. Here are a few of the brands we've worked with so far.
Janus Contractors is a full service carpentry company that provides exceptional building and contracting services to federal, state and local government agencies. They've provided the expertise behind the Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Lab, Univ of MD Medical Center: Gamma Knife Center, and many more amazing projects.
TaylorMade led by Christina Taylor, creates amazing, memorable events and experiences for corporate and non-profit clients such as RFK Human Rights Foundation, Astra Zenica & more.
Fashionista, Genevieve Gralton, created Underbares. A lingerie brand that truly understands that women want to feel both comfortable and beautiful in their own skin. Heralded by Vogue & Refinery29 as one of the most comfortable lingerie brands around.
Naa-Sakle Akuete, CEO of Eu’Genia Shea & Naasakle International LLC, produces a line of high-quality shea butters and advises governments and NGOs about shea butter standards, fair trade, and sustainability.
Founded in 2014 by travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson, the Harlem Candle Company is the manifestation of her love affair with fragrance, jazz, and Harlem. They've been declared by publications such as Cosmopolitan, The Today Show, Glamour and Essence as a brand to watch.
From occupancy monitoring to contact tracing, SAMS improves operations and enhances customer experience through technology. Staci Redmon, is trusted by clients such as Dell, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Navy Mutual, Army National Guard, Dept of Homeland Security & Dept of Veterans Affairs.
Jacque Amadi is the head magical girl of Adorned By Chi & Chigami Studios, an anime lifestyle and fashion business. Using her platform to represent black women & men, she's changing the anime landscape and is preparing to adapt her book for tv & movies in partnership with Madison Wells.
STAR Enterprises, helmed by Naoimi Brown, is a professional staffing solution that works diligently to accommodate the scheduling & budgetary needs of all their clients such as Marriott, Smithsonian, Wework & Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Angel Investor
Our objective is to improve the state of innovation & entrepreneurship for both New Majority founders and ecosystem builders alike.
Whether you're a corporate brand, non-profit, venture capitalist, or something in between, we have a variety of both pre-packaged and custom services that can be rapidly deployed nation-wide.
We pride ourselves on delivering meaningful & measurable outcomes for partners in all industries and sizes. Meet some of the amazing brands we've worked with and the outcomes we've produced.