What Black Sustainability does

Black Sustainability, Inc. (BSI) is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent to rebuild sustainable communities and economies. The organization was co-founded by Raina Turner-Greenlea (Founder and Executive Director) and Yeamah E. Brewer (Co-Founder, Director of Operations and Board Secretary), and is verified by Candid/Guidestar. Its core product is the Black Sustainability Network (BSN), a free members-only platform with 2,400+ members across five continents, organized into 12 Industry Houses (Agriculture, Economics, Education, Housing, Preparedness, Lifestyle, Energy, Community, Justice, Health, Water, Waste) and surfaced via an interactive member map. BSI also runs the annual Black Sustainability Summit (held since 2016, with the 9th annual held October 11-13, 2024 in East Point, GA), publishes the State of Black Sustainability Report, delivers the AfroEcology Series of hands-on agricultural workshops, operates the Offers and Needs Market for member resource exchange, and runs clean energy workforce programs including GRID Alternatives IBT and the DOE-funded Electric Black Futures initiative.

The organization's underlying technology stack centers on the BSN digital membership platform and the maps.blacksustainability.org interactive map, supplemented by Mighty Networks-based community hosting, a Wix-based website and e-commerce storefront, and standard social and email channels. There is no proprietary AI, API, or SDK; the technology functions primarily as community-organizing infrastructure rather than a software platform in the venture sense.

BSI's revenue model is donation- and grant-driven, with no paid membership tier. Streams include direct financial gifts (Zelle, check, cryptocurrency, Donor Advised Funds), monthly sustaining donors (with the Functional Unity Giving SuSu tier at $1,000+ annually), unrestricted grants and regranting funds, corporate sponsorships, planned giving/bequests, NFT sales via DoingGud marketplace, zero-waste merchandise sales (Furoshiki wraps, bamboo utensils, Sanduku bento box, tote bags, NGE water bottle), and a Membership Impact Fund. Go-to-market is community-led: growth comes through the free network, events, referrals, partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions, and the annual Summit, with no paid sales motion or enterprise contracts disclosed.

Name

Black Sustainability

Legal name

Black Sustainability, Inc.

Website

https://blacksustainability.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Sustainability, Inc. is an Atlanta-based nonprofit operating the Black Sustainability Network, a free membership platform of 2,400+ sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent organized into 12 Industry Houses, supported by an annual Summit, the State of Black Sustainability Report, and clean energy workforce programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Sustainability Network

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB), Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

Keywords

• Sustainability community network
• Nonprofit sustainability organization
• Environmental justice network
• Clean energy workforce training
• Sustainable agriculture education

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Gifts: BSI accepts direct financial gifts via Zelle, check, and cryptocurrency donations. They also receive unrestricted grants, regranting funds, and creative giving. The organization has a Donor Advised Fund option for tax-beneficial giving.
2. Monthly Sustaining Donors: Monthly sustaining donors provide year-round support for the Black Sustainability Summit and network operations. Donors contributing $1,000+ annually join the Functional Unity Giving SuSu.
3. Sponsorships: Organizations committed to sustainable development, environmental justice, or climate action can sponsor BSI programs or events.
4. Merchandise Sales: BSI sells zero-waste merchandise including Furoshiki gift wraps, bamboo utensils, water bottles, tote bags, and Sanduku (bento boxes) through their online shop.
5. Planned Giving: BSI accepts planned gifts such as bequests to support the organization far into the future.
6. NFT Sales: BSI partners with DoingGud NFT marketplace to sell NFTs, supporting featured artists and the Black Sustainability Network.
7. Membership Impact Fund: Donors can support member projects via the BSI Impact Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Black Sustainability, Inc. (BSI) operates a members-only community network called the Black Sustainability Network (BSN) that connects sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent across 12 Industry Houses. The organization delivers the Annual Black Sustainability Summit, publishes the State of Black Sustainability Report (SBSR), runs the AfroEcology Series of hands-on agricultural workshops, delivers the GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training (IBT) clean energy workforce program, and serves as community liaison on the Electric Black Futures electric mobility initiative.

Product overview

Black Sustainability, Inc. operates a network-centric platform organized around a members-only community portal, an annual summit, and published research. The core offering is the Black Sustainability Network Platform (BSN), a membership community connecting sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent across 12 Industry Houses, supplemented by the interactive Member Map, the annual Black Sustainability Summit event, the State of Black Sustainability Report (SBSR), and the AfroEcology Series hands-on agricultural education program. Additional programs include the GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training for clean energy workforce development, the Electric Black Futures electric mobility initiative, and the Offers and Needs Market for member resource exchange. The organization also offers a support ticketing system for map users and a line of zero-waste merchandise (No-Waste Furoshiki Gift Wraps in four sizes, Zero Waste Bamboo Utensils, Zero Waste Sanduku bento box, BSI Tote Bag, and NGE Water Bottle) that generates revenue while amplifying the sustainability mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Black Sustainability Network Platform A free members-only community network platform for sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent, providing user-friendly tools, better searchability across Industry House options, and a members-only space to build and collaborate with other Black and Green experts and business leaders.
• Black Sustainability Network Member Map An interactive public map displaying the geographic distribution of Black Sustainability Network members across multiple continents, supporting member discovery by Industry House and geography with full map access reserved for members.
• Annual Black Sustainability Summit A three-day annual in-person assembly of Black sustainability practitioners featuring member presentations, workshops, the State of Black Sustainability Report exhibit, the Offers and Needs Market, and participatory funding. The 9th Annual Summit was held October 11-13, 2024 in East Point, GA.
• State of Black Sustainability Report (SBSR) An annual publication addressing the absence of community-owned data on climate and environmental challenges in Black communities and the Afrikan diaspora, with the 2024 inaugural edition drawing on content from 2016-2023 Summits, focus groups, and interviews across 12 Industry Houses.
• AfroEcology Series A hands-on educational program of workshops and field days covering farming and land management skills, including AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation, seed saving, regenerative farming, irrigation practices, and Afro-Indigenous agricultural traditions. The 2026 Series targets 6,000 seeds saved across 100 diverse growing sites.
• GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training (IBT) An inaugural workforce development program led by Black Sustainability in collaboration with GRID Alternatives, Ayika Solutions, and Regen Community Advisory that prepares metro-Atlanta residents for careers in the clean energy workforce through OSHA 10 certification and hands-on solar installation training covering array layout, racking, module installation, and electrical work.
• Electric Black Futures A three-year initiative launched in 2024 and funded by a $1.4 million DOE grant, delivered in partnership with EVNoire, Southeast Alliance for Clean Energy, and Clean Cities Georgia, in which BSI serves as community liaison across Atlanta, Savannah, and Albany, GA to engage Black communities in shaping equitable electric mobility futures through community advisory boards and workforce pathways.
• Offers and Needs Market (OANM) A community resource-sharing facilitation methodology enabling members to exchange skills, services, and needs in a human-centered, mutually beneficial format, hosted at annual summits and offered virtually and in-person to members.
• No-Waste Furoshiki Gift Wraps Reusable Japanese-style furoshiki gift wraps printed on GOTS and GRS certified cotton fabric with water-based inks, offered in Small (50 cm), Medium (71 cm), Large (90 cm), and X-Large (130 cm) sizes as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use wrapping paper.
• Zero Waste Bamboo Utensils An eco-friendly bamboo utensil kit in a canvas carry pouch with snap button closure, containing a straw, cleaning brush, chopsticks, spoon, fork, and serrated knife, designed to replace single-use plastics for on-the-go dining.
• Zero Waste Sanduku (Bento Box) A stainless steel and bamboo bento-style lunch box with an elastic strap securing utensils and lid, BPA-free and FDA-compliant for packing lunches, leftovers, and to-go meals.
• BSI Tote Bag A natural cotton canvas tote bag with crimson red accents and a Dikenga dia Kongo-inspired BSI logo, featuring African proverb or affirmation text, drawstring closure, hidden zipper compartment, and a wide strap for hand or shoulder carry.
• NGE Water Bottle A 17-ounce stainless steel water bottle with bamboo lid, double-wall construction for hot and cold liquid insulation, BPA-free, and a spill-resistant wide-mouth screw cap, marketed under the No Get Enemy (NGE) product line.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2400+ members across 5 continents
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GRID AlternativescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2024BSI partnered with GRID Alternatives as part of the C.A.S.T. collaborative to deliver the GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training (IBT) program in Atlanta. This program provides pathways into the clean energy workforce for metro-Atlanta residents, with 100% of participants passing OSHA 10 certification.
• EVNoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI joined EVNoire, Southeast Alliance for Clean Energy, and Clean Cities Georgia on the Electric Black Futures initiative - a $1.4 million DOE-funded project spanning three years across Atlanta, Savannah, and Albany, GA to empower Black communities in electric mobility leadership and job opportunities.
• Southeast Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSACE leads the Electric Black Futures initiative with BSI serving as Community Liaison to identify leaders in Alternative Energy and support Black communities in envisioning their electric mobility future.
• Clean Cities GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean Cities Georgia is a key partner in the Electric Black Futures initiative, working to advance equitable access to EVs and clean transportation in Georgia's underserved Black communities.
• Ayika SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAyika Solutions, led by Dr. Erica Holloman, collaborates with BSI on the C.A.S.T. initiative, providing sustainable environmental solutions as part of the GRID Alternatives IBT program.
• Regen Community AdvisorymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegen Community Advisory partners with BSI on the GRID Alternatives IBT program, contributing to clean energy workforce development in Atlanta.
• Subsume StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsume Studios works with BSI on the Electric Black Futures project to actualize Afrofuturism principles in community engagement.
• SOWEGA RisingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOWEGA Rising is a local partner in Albany, GA for the Electric Black Futures initiative, helping lead engagement with underserved Black communities.
• Winston County Self Help CooperativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCSHC sponsors BSI's Saving Rural America webinar series and provides support for agricultural and land management initiatives, working together to preserve Black farmland and land stewardship.
• DoingGudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBSI partners with DoingGud NFT marketplace to sell NFTs that support featured artists and the Black Sustainability Network.
• We Grow Food, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI attended We Grow Food Inc's 27th Annual Bordeaux Farmers' Rastafari Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, introducing AfroEcology programming and the SovereignSeedz initiative to Caribbean communities.
• iiwii FarmsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partneriiwii Farms, led by Farmer Myles Gaines, partnered with BSI to host the AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation workshop at G4 Farms, providing expertise in rice cultivation on irrigation.
• Eco-PARADIGMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-PARADIGM, led by Charles Greenlea III, partnered with BSI for the AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation workshop, providing agricultural services and land management expertise. Charles Greenlea also serves as a board member of BSI.
• G4 FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerG4 Farms in Crawfordville, Georgia hosted the AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation workshop and NRCS conservation field day in partnership with BSI.
• NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI promotes NRCS practices and programs at workshops and events, helping community members understand and access USDA NRCS resources and conservation programs.
• Candid/GuidestarminorOthersBSI is reviewed and verified by Candid/Guidestar, a top nonprofit evaluator, demonstrating transparency and accountability.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Soul Fire Farm: A Black-led farm and education center in upstate New York focused on food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, and training BIPOC farmers. Closely comparable to BSI's AfroEcology Series and AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation programming, as well as its focus on land stewardship and Black agrarian traditions.
• WE ACT for Environmental Justice: A Northern Manhattan-based nonprofit focused on environmental justice in communities of color, with federal policy advocacy, community organizing, and workforce development programs. Directly comparable to BSI in mission (environmental justice for Black communities) and in combining organizing, research, and grant-funded program delivery.
• Outdoor Afro: A Black-led nonprofit that builds a national network connecting Black people to nature and outdoor experiences, with local chapters, events, and volunteer leadership. Highly comparable to BSI's Black Sustainability Network model — a community-led membership network that organizes practitioners of African descent around sustainability themes.
• Green For All: A project of Dream Corps focused on building an inclusive green economy, with emphasis on climate solutions that center communities of color. Comparable to BSI in combining sustainability, equity, and workforce/economic opportunity themes for Black and Brown communities.
• Black Family Land Trust: A nonprofit based in the Southeast that helps Black families acquire, manage, and protect land through conservation easements and heir property work. Directly comparable to BSI's WCSHC-aligned work preserving Black farmland and Black land stewardship.
• Winston County Self Help Cooperative: A Mississippi-based Black cooperative focused on Black land retention, cooperative development, and rural community sustainability. Listed as a BSI partner and highly comparable in mission: Black land stewardship, agricultural sustainability, and rural community organizing.

Emerging players

• Center for Story-Based Strategy: A movement-building organization that supports narrative and organizing strategy for racial and environmental justice campaigns. Comparable to BSI in its movement- and narrative-driven approach to sustainability, though not specifically focused on practitioner networks.
• Cooperation Jackson: A Jackson, Mississippi-based network of cooperatives and organizing efforts focused on building a solidarity economy in the Black community. Comparable to BSI in its emphasis on cooperative economics, sustainability, and Black community self-determination, though with a stronger cooperative-ownership model.

Broad incumbents

• Earth Island Institute: A longstanding environmental nonprofit that incubates and supports dozens of issue-specific projects. Comparable as a network/incubator model for sustainability organizations, though much larger in scale and not specifically focused on Black/Afro-diaspora practitioners.
• NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Program: The environmental and climate justice arm of the NAACP, one of the largest and most established civil rights organizations in the U.S. Operates in a substantially overlapping space (Black community climate priorities) but at a vastly larger scale and with broader policy and litigation capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blacksustain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BlackSustainabilitySummit
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackSustainabilitySummit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-sustainability
• Instagraminstagram.com/Black.Sustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Sustainability