Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills

What Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills does

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills (BEFH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered at 120 N. 4th St., Suite K, Manhattan, Kansas, serving Black and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs across Riley, Geary, and Pottawatomie counties in northeast Kansas. The organization is co-founded and led by Sheila Ellis-Glasper (Executive Director; 2021 Minority Business Advocate of the Year) and Jermain Glasper, with a 6-person staff and a 100+ member business directory. Its portfolio of programs couples direct capital deployment with education and culturally responsive mental health support, including the CommerceUplift business and capital readiness cohort, the Circle of Community Grant ($1,500-$2,500 microgrants), the Grind & Growth: Mindset, Money & Marketing workshop series, the Sankofa Scholarship in partnership with the K-State Black Student Union, and the Black Joy Program (200+ culturally responsive therapy sessions delivered). Member pricing is $100/year or $10/month, and the organization runs an annual Circle of Community Gala plus the Melanin Market vendor fair as community and fundraising touchpoints.

BEFH has raised capital for the broader ecosystem ($250,000+ unlocked for grantees; $134,882 invested since 2023; 12 new businesses launched and 28 new jobs created over two years) and operates a structured fundraising model across four streams: foundation and government grants (Kansas Health Foundation, Butler Family Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, $162,000 in Kansas Community Service Tax Credits awarded November 2025), recurring membership dues, six corporate partnership tiers ranging from $1,500 (Imani Circle) to $25,000 (Ujima Circle), and event-based revenue. The organization is the local implementing partner for the National League of Cities City Inclusive Entrepreneurship / Ownership and Optionality program in partnership with the City of Manhattan and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, and was selected as a 2026 Kansas Leadership Center Leadership Transformation Grant partner and 2026 Kansas Organizational Health Champion by KDHE and the Governor's Council on Wellness.

Technology infrastructure is minimal: BEFH is not a software platform and operates primarily a member directory listing plus the Black Joy Mental Health Program digital portal for confidential therapy access, alongside standard business management and communication tooling. The strategic centerpiece is the planned Yuma Street Cultural Center & Entrepreneur Hub in Manhattan's historic Yuma Street district, redeveloping Shepard's Chapel into a physical headquarters and multi-program facility with an entrepreneur training area, rotating restaurant incubator, commercial kitchen, co-working, multipurpose event space, and African American heritage exhibits, funded in part through the November 2025 Kansas Community Service Tax Credit award.

Name

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills

Legal name

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills

Website

https://blackflinthills.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills is a Manhattan, Kansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers microgrants, business training, mental wellness support, and member services to 100+ Black and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs across Riley, Geary, and Pottawatomie counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Entrepreneurship Support

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Business (EDAMAHAK), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship support services
• Minority business development
• Nonprofit community development
• Small business grants
• Business coaching and training

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: BEFH operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that generates revenue primarily through grants from foundations (Kansas Health Foundation, Butler Family Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation), government programs (Kansas Department of Commerce Community Service Tax Credits), and individual donations. The organization was awarded $162,000 in Kansas Community Service Tax Credits and partners with the National League of Cities City Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program which has $100 million in committed resources.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees of $100/year (or $10/month) provide recurring revenue. Members receive benefits including referral network access, upgraded directory listings, Black Joy Mental Health Program access (3 free therapy sessions), vendor opportunities, funding alerts, marketing support, member-only events, 1 free coaching session, and 1 free professional headshot.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnership Tiers: Corporate sponsorships through six partnership tiers: Ujima Circle ($25,000), Nia Circle ($15,000), Ujamaa Circle ($10,000), Kuumba Circle ($5,000), Amani Circle ($3,500), and Imani Circle ($1,500). Each tier includes event recognition, gala tickets, and partnership lounge access with increasing benefits at higher levels.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from events including the Circle of Community Gala (annual fundraising event) and Melanin Market vendor fair. The 2025 Gala met its $25,000 fundraising goal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Black and economically-disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Flint Hills region of Kansas through a portfolio of programs including business training (CommerceUplift), microgrants (Circle of Community Grant), culturally responsive mental health support (Black Joy Program), scholarships (Sankofa), and workshops (Grind & Growth Series). Members receive benefits such as referral network access, directory listings, coaching sessions, and vendor opportunities through an annual membership program.

Product overview

Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The organization's core offerings include CommerceUplift (business training), the Black Joy Program (mental health support), Circle of Community Grants (microfinancing), Sankofa Scholarships (educational support), and the Grind & Growth Series (workshops). These programs work together to provide holistic support for Black entrepreneurs, combining business development with wellness and financial assistance. Additional services include a member directory, coaching, and signature events like the annual Circle of Community Gala and Melanin Market vendor fair. The organization is also developing the Yuma Street Cultural Center as a physical hub for its entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yuma Street Cultural Center: A future hub for innovation, belonging, and entrepreneurship - the physical embodiment of BEFH's mission. Located in Manhattan’s historic Yuma Street neighborhood, it will honor Black legacy while creating a hub for economic empowerment.
• CommerceUplift
• Black Joy Program
• Grind & Growth Series
• Sankofa Scholarship
• Circle of Community Grant

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 new businesses launched, 28 new jobs created, and $250,000+ in capital unlocked over two years through grants, loans, and contracts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kansas Leadership CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 20252026 Leadership Transformation Grant partner. One of only 76 organizations selected statewide. Partnership provides year-long leadership journey using KLC framework to advance racial and economic equity.
• Manhattan Area Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey economic development partner collaborating with BEFH and the City of Manhattan on the Ownership and Optionality program through the National League of Cities City Inclusive Entrepreneurship initiative.
• Network KansascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Access to Capital Q&A events and the Empower Minority Business Pitch Competition. Network Kansas collaborates with BEFH to provide resources for local entrepreneurs.
• Kansas State University Innovation PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity economic development partner collaborating on entrepreneurship support. BEFH partners with K-State Black Student Union for the Sankofa Scholarship program.
• Kansas Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Access to Capital Q&A events helping local entrepreneurs learn about new loan programs, support, and resources.
• SPARK ManhattanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner working to promote and grow an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Flint Hills.
• National League of CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEFH is part of NLC's City Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program, joining 55+ cities with 71 commitments. Program provides technical assistance, information sharing, and financial support to advance entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups.
• Black Wall Street Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Greenwood district tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma. BEFH founders visited to learn from historic Black entrepreneurship district.
• Pottawatomie County Economic DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025-2026 Circle of Community Partner supporting economic development initiatives.
• Kansas African American Affairs CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState commission partner. BEFH recognized by this body; co-sponsored Black Joy is Healing Panel Discussion & Brunch.
• Kansas Black Leadership CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025-2026 Circle of Community Partner. Black-led organization collaborating on leadership and advocacy.
• Hy-VeeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 Circle of Community Partner. Grocery retailer supporting community events and BEFH programming.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing mentorship, education, and resources to small business owners. Comparable in mentorship/coaching model and educational programming, though not specifically focused on Black or culturally responsive support.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development nonprofit supporting small businesses and economic opportunity in underserved communities. Comparable in deploying capital and technical assistance to underrepresented entrepreneurs, with similar community-embedded model.
• National Urban League: Large national civil rights and economic empowerment organization with Entrepreneurship Centers supporting Black business owners. Comparable mission around racial wealth gap closure but operates at vastly larger national scale rather than community-embedded regional focus.
• SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership / MBDA: Federal Minority Business Development Agency operating Business Centers providing technical assistance, capital access, and contracting support to minority entrepreneurs. Comparable in delivering federal-funded programming to close capital gaps for underrepresented founders.

Direct peers

• U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. National network of Black chambers of commerce providing advocacy, capacity building, and capital access to Black entrepreneurs. Closest direct peer in mission and structure, though operating at federated national scale rather than single-region depth.
• National Minority Business Council: Nonprofit focused on minority business development, advocacy, and access to capital. Directly comparable in providing capacity-building programs and policy advocacy for underserved entrepreneurs.
• Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC): Initiative of Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) providing capital connections and capacity-building training to small businesses in underserved urban areas. Comparable in linking entrepreneurs with capital and training resources.
• EforAll: Nonprofit running entrepreneurship accelerators and pitch competitions in mid-sized U.S. cities, including programs explicitly serving underrepresented founders. Closely comparable in cohort-based business training model and regional activation approach.

Emerging players

• Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Corporate-backed program providing non-dilutive capital and support to Black-led startups. Comparable mission around addressing racial funding gaps but focuses on venture-scale tech founders rather than Main Street/main street small businesses.

Others

• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: Major national foundation supporting entrepreneurship education and ecosystem development. Direct programmatic and funding partner of BEFH (BEFH is a graduate of Kauffman's Inaugural ESO Leadership Lab) and comparable in entrepreneurship-support mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blackflinthills
• Facebookfacebook.com/393037381526078
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackflinthills
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHuh5z2ZszqZlQE3DJK8YNg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-entrepreneurs-of-the-flint-hills

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills