Black Girl Ventures (BGV) Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program 2025

Omran Aburayya
7 days ago
2 min read

If you're an early- to mid-stage entrepreneur or ecosystem builder passionate about uplifting underrepresented women founders in your community, the Black Girl Ventures (BGV) Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program 2025 is now accepting applications. This 12-week leadership development initiative is designed to empower women-identifying leaders in select U.S. cities by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and financial support needed to drive meaningful change in their local entrepreneurial ecosystems.

🎓 Programme Summary

Location: United States (Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia)
Host Institution: Black Girl Ventures Foundation (BGV)
Program Level: Early- to mid-stage entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders
Target Group: Under-resourced women-identifying individuals
Fields of Focus: Entrepreneurship, leadership, ecosystem development
Award Value and Coverage:
- $5,000 stipend
- Non-monetary benefits (e.g., mentorship, networking opportunities)
Program Duration: 12 weeks
Application Deadline: June 5, 2025
Program Start Date: July 8, 2025
Eligibility: Under-resourced women-identifying individuals residing and operating businesses in the specified cities

🧭 Program Overview

The BGV Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program is a 12-week intensive designed to expand the capacity of early- to mid-stage entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders. Participants will engage in a structured curriculum that includes:

Peer Group Matching: Fellows will be paired with peers in their respective cities to foster collaboration and support.
Industry Leader Sessions: Access to talks and workshops led by experienced professionals covering various business and leadership topics.
Jetpack for Leaders: A component of the program requiring approximately 4 hours per month, complemented by 4 hours of self-directed study.

The program aims to create a ripple effect, where empowered fellows contribute to strengthening their local ecosystems, thereby promoting equal opportunities for underrepresented women entrepreneurs to thrive.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Financial Support:
- $5,000 stipend to support participation in the program.
Professional Development:
- Structured leadership training and development.
- Opportunities to learn from and network with industry leaders.
Community Building:
- Connection with a cohort of like-minded peers in your city.
- Access to the broader BGV network and resources.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the BGV Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program 2025, applicants must:

Identify as an under-resourced woman.
Reside and operate a business in one of the following cities: Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, or Philadelphia.
Have been in business for at least one year and be generating revenue.
Have at least one team member to assist with business operations during the program.
Demonstrate a passion for empowering and building ecosystems for underrepresented women founders in their community.
Commit approximately 4 hours per week to program activities (including Jetpack for Leaders and self-directed study).

📝 Application Procedure

To apply for the BGV Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program 2025:

Complete the Application Form: Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
Submit a Short Video Introduction: Introduce yourself and your business.
Await Notification: Applicants will receive an email notification regarding their application status.