What Black Progress Matters does

Black Progress Matters (legal entity Black Progress Resources) is a private, for-profit executive staffing and business incubator organization headquartered in Williamsville, USA, operating with 11-50 employees. Its commercial core is BPX Executive Staffing, a contingency-fee recruiting service that places vetted Black executives into enterprise leadership and board roles across functions (IT, HR, Sales/Marketing, Legal, Finance, Healthcare, Operations, Engineering). Contingency fees are 25% of the placed executive's starting annual salary with no upfront cost to the client; ancillary offerings include BPX Flex (fractional/advisory C-level executives with the BPX Flex Assess talent-mapping program), BPX Board Success (board succession planning with success-fee pricing), and BPX TechExec Connect (IT executive placement). Customer engagement is direct enterprise field sales, supported by a network of international staffing associations (iWorld Professionals, AP Professionals affiliates, Advantage Global Resources, London-based Capax Resource Management) for global candidate sourcing.

A second revenue stream is the Black-Owned Business Incubator, funded by pledged company profits and currently hosting five brands: UnBiasIt (a data management and compliance platform marketed as a bias-detection 'Data Stack' with Racial Bias Alert, Data Detect, Data Drop, Data Vault, and Compliance Monitor modules), Walker Sports Audit (independent audit and rating service for athlete and celebrity financial advisors), M&L Devine Resources (executive search), Katini Skin (facial-oil skincare brand, launched at Sephora in May 2025 with Times Square activation), and Cocoa by CeCe (cocoa-infused beauty brand). Revenue from incubated brands is generated through equity or profit participation rather than direct product sales by BPM.

The go-to-market relies on direct B2B engagement with named enterprise accounts (Glassdoor, McGraw Hill, Moderna, Lyft, PwC, Walmart, Best Buy, PepsiCo, ManpowerGroup, Global Payments, Intermountain Healthcare, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and others) through website, blog (The Executive Horizon), email funnels, and CEO-led referral activity. Marketing emphasizes social impact and reputational benefit, including an optional BPM Certification awarded when partner organizations reach 5% Black inclusion at the executive level. There are no disclosed funding rounds, no disclosed revenue, and the ownership is founder/partner-led with no documented institutional investors.

Name

Black Progress Matters

Legal name

Black Progress Resources

Website

https://blackprogressmatters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Progress Matters is a private executive staffing firm that places vetted Black executives into enterprise leadership and board roles on a 25% contingency fee, while running a Black-Owned Business Incubator with five portfolio brands across skincare, beauty, audit, and bias-detection software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Staffing Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Contractor Management Systems (CMS) & Workforce Management (BPACAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Workflow & Case Management (Human-Centric BPM) (HDAEAHAA)

Keywords

• Executive staffing services
• Diversity recruiting
• Executive search
• Board placement services
• Business incubator

Headquarters

HQ city

Williamsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. BPX Executive Staffing - Contingency Fee: BPX charges a 25% contingency fee based on the starting annual salary of placed executives. Organizations pay no upfront cost - fees are only incurred upon successful placement of a qualified Black executive candidate.
2. BPX Board Success - Success Fee: BPX Board Success charges a success fee upon the successful placement of a board member. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the board member's annual compensation or a fixed amount agreed upon in advance.
3. BPX Flex - Fractional Executive Services: Provides access to strategic C-level executives on a flexible, part-time or advisory basis without the burden of full-time commitment. Revenue generated through engagement fees for fractional executive placement and talent assessment services.
4. Business Incubator Program: BPM Founding Partners have pledged BPM's entire profits to the Black-Owned Business Incubator Program. Revenue is generated through equity or profit participation in incubated startups including Walker Sports Audit, M&L Devine Resources, UnBiasIt, Katini Skin, and Cocoa by CeCe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Black Progress Matters operates a contingency-fee executive staffing service (BPX) that places vetted Black executive candidates at enterprise organizations to diversify executive suites and boardrooms, with no upfront cost to clients. The company also operates a Black-Owned Business Incubator that funds and develops Black-owned startups, with all BPM profits pledged to the incubator program.

Product overview

Black Progress Matters operates as a diversity-focused executive staffing and business incubator organization. Its core product is BPX Executive Staffing, a contingency-fee-based staffing service. The portfolio includes BPX Flex (fractional executive staffing with talent mapping), BPX Board Success (board succession planning), and BPX TechExec Connect (IT staffing). Additionally, the company runs a Black-Owned Business Incubator with five incubated startups: UnBiasIt (data/bias detection), Walker Sports Audit (financial audit services), Katini Skin (beauty/wellness), Cocoa by CeCe (beauty brand), and M&L Devine Resources (executive search). These offerings work together to advance the company's mission of changing the color of leadership in organizations worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UnBiasIt: Data management and compliance solutions platform providing bias detection and elimination technology for enterprises, including the UnBiasIt Data Stack.
• Walker Sports Audit
• M&L Devine Resources
• Katini Skin
• Cocoa by CeCe
• BPX Flex Assess

Products and services

• BPX Executive Staffing Contingency-fee executive staffing service that places vetted Black executive candidates at enterprise organizations, with a focus on diversifying executive suites and boardrooms. Charges 25% of starting annual salary with no upfront costs.
• BPX Flex Fractional executive staffing service providing part-time, temporary, advisory, or full-time C-level executives. Includes BPX Flex Assess program for talent mapping and succession planning across technology, sustainability, marketing, HR, and supply chain roles.
• BPX Board Success Board succession planning service that helps organizations identify and develop diverse board talent, ensuring compliance, performance, and strategic impact. Provides access to an inclusive network of board-ready candidates; charges success fee upon placement.
• BPX TechExec Connect IT staffing service specializing in placing high-level technology executives including CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, Cloud Architects, AI Engineers, Cyber Security, and Software Developers across various industries.
• Black-Owned Business Incubator Business incubator program for developing and funding Black-owned startups. Currently has five Black-owned startups in various stages of development including UnBiasIt, Walker Sports Audit, M&L Devine Resources, Katini Skin, and Cocoa by CeCe.
• UnBiasIt Data Stack Data management and compliance solution that enables organizations to recognize and eliminate inherent bias and misconduct. Features the UnBiasIt Data Stack including Racial Bias Alert, Data Detect, Data Drop, Data Vault, Storage, Deletion, and Compliance Monitor.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations that partner with BPM and reach 5% Black inclusion at executive level receive BPM Certification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, flagship and partner.

• iWorld ProfessionalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational staffing association partner that helps BPM source Black executive candidates globally. Part of BPM's network of staffing associations including AP WNY, AP Rochester, AP Phoenix, c1 Advantage, Advantage Global Resources, and Capax Resource Management.
• AP ProfessionalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStaffing association partner (AP WNY, AP Rochester, AP Phoenix) that assists BPM in sourcing Black executive candidates through their professional networks. Contributes to BPM's global candidate sourcing capabilities.
• Advantage Global ResourcescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic staffing partner that provides significant support to BPM's Black-Owned Business Incubator Program. Currently contributing to the development of five Black-owned startups in various stages of development.
• Capax Resource ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLondon, England-based staffing association partner that extends BPM's international candidate sourcing capabilities to the UK and European markets.
• GlassdoorflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnterprise client partnership where BPM successfully placed Danny Guillory as Glassdoor's Chief People Officer. Glassdoor's CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong has publicly endorsed BPM's services and continued engagement for leadership hires. Before the partnership, Glassdoor had no Black executives on their leadership team.
• ModernapartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• LyftpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• PwCpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• WalmartpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• McGraw HillpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Best BuypartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• PepsiCopartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Alvarez & MarsalpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• ManpowerGrouppartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Global PaymentspartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Intermountain HealthcarepartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Detroit LionspartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Tampa Bay BuccaneerspartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Access IntelligencepartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• BixalpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• BMIpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• InsmedpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• OshkoshpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Right ManagementpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• SpartanNashpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• StarzpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• TennecopartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.
• Wiley ReinpartnerOthersPartner organization participating in the BPM Mission to advance Black leadership at the executive level throughout their organization worldwide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong board practice. Comparable because it serves the same enterprise executive and board placement needs that BPM addresses via BPX Executive Staffing and BPX Board Success.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the largest executive search firms with deep board and CEO placement expertise. Comparable because it competes directly for the same enterprise executive and board mandates that BPM targets, with broader global reach.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with established diversity, equity, and inclusion search capabilities. Comparable because it competes for the same enterprise C-suite and board placements as BPM's BPX lines.
• Korn Ferry: Large organizational consulting firm with a major executive search practice. Comparable because it competes in the same enterprise executive search market as BPM, while also offering broader talent and organizational consulting services.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Comparable because it serves the same enterprise board and C-suite placement market as BPM, with a much broader footprint and established diversity practice.

Direct peers

• Diversified Search Group: Executive search firm with an explicit focus on diverse leadership placement. Most directly comparable to BPM because its core proposition aligns Black, Hispanic/Latino, and other diverse executive search with enterprise clients.

Emerging players

• Mogul: Diversity-focused talent and career platform for underrepresented professionals. Comparable to BPM because it also focuses on connecting diverse talent with enterprise opportunities, though it emphasizes mid-career rather than C-suite placements.
• Jopwell: Career advancement platform connecting Black, Latinx, and Native American professionals with corporate opportunities. Comparable to BPM because it serves the same employer demand for diverse talent pipelines, though at earlier career stages than executive search.
• Inclusively: Workplace inclusion platform helping employers recruit and retain professionals with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. Comparable to BPM because it sells enterprise diversity recruiting technology and services into similar corporate DEI buyers.
• Triversity Consulting: Diversity-focused executive search and consulting firm placing underrepresented leaders across industries. Comparable to BPM because of its explicit focus on diverse executive placement for enterprise clients, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Progress Matters