Yes Biz Youth Entrepreneurship Series: Fashion Your Business Plan

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1970 which through advocacy, our members work as change agents to influence policy that promotes gender equity in health, education, civic engagement and economic empowerment for Black women and girls. At a National level, NCBW reaches a span of 62 chapters across 24 states and the District of Columbia. The Phoenix Chapter (our chapter), was established on November 14, 2015, with forty-six dynamic Black Women leaders.

The Economic Empowerment Committee implements programming that focuses on financial literacy, family wealth building, and entrepreneurship. Our programs include comprehensive workshops and seminars that promote economic self-sufficiency.

In 2023, NCBW Phoenix developed the Youth Entrepreneur Series (YES) to provide comprehensive business training and mentorship to young, Black Shepreneurs in various stages of development. With the content development and facilitation support of Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, the YES program was developed as a modular-based 3-part series to provide hands-on instruction and practicum business experience for aspiring or emerging young entrepreneurs. The 3- Part Youth Entrepreneur (YES) series consists of the following sessions:

1. “Fashion Your Business Plan” – Hands-on experience developing a business plan that will help youth start, grow or sustain their business.

2. “Fashion Your Pitch” – Youth participants walk away prepared to craft their stories and pitch ideas to community stakeholders and investors.

3. “Pitch Perfect” – Culminating pitch contest where young entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges for a chance to win $1000 in business grant funding.

In addition to comprehensive business training, YES participants also gain hands-on experience completing a full grant application process. The applications are evaluated and scored by a review team based on identified criteria. Eligibility to pitch at Pitch Perfect is incumbent on completing all of the required training, along with meeting the minimum score requirements on the grant application.

The YES series and YES Biz Grant have become a staple program for NCBW Phoenix, leading to ongoing partnerships with ASU E+I and ARG Cultivators Community.

As a part of the Youth Entrepreneur Series (YES) offered by NCBW100 Phoenix, and with the financial support and strategic partnership of our sponsors, NCBW100 Phoenix has developed the Youth Entrepreneur Series (YES) Biz Grant.

The YES Biz Grant will be awarded to Black, female aspiring or existing entrepreneurs between the ages of 8-17 who reside in the state of Arizona.The YES Biz grant was developed to drive positive systemic change that results in gender equity in business and economic empowerment. This grant creates a foundation for building generational wealth for Black girls and promotes and supports youth entrepreneurship. The Youth Entrepreneur Series and the YES Biz Grant demonstrate our commitment to advocate for and invest in, young, Black female entrepreneurs.

The YES Biz Grant is offering five grant awards in the up to $1,000 each for winners to launch a new business venture or reinvest in their existing businesses. It is all about supporting young, Black, female entrepreneurs in their quest to turn concepts into cash.

• Black, female ages 8-17
• Reside in Arizona
• Aspiring or existing entrepreneur
• Must submit application + Business Plan (Due February 14, 2026)
• Must complete both workshops
• Fashion Your Business Plan, January 24, 2026
• Fashion Your Pitch, February 21, 2026

• Register and complete the first training session- Fashion Your Business Plan Jan 24, 2026.
• Register and complete second training session – Fashion Your Pitch Feb 21, 2026.
• Submit YES Biz Grant application and business plan: February 14, 2026.
• Elgibility will be verified via photo ID/student ID or report card
• Applicants will be notified if they have passed Phase One and if they will move on to Phase Two to pitch their business ideas at the Pitch Perfect Contest by March 1, 2026.
• Those who pass Phase One will pitch at the Pitch Perfect Contest March 21, 2026, before a panel of judges and members in the community.
• Winners of the grant will be notified on the spot at Pitch Perfect, March 21, 2026.
• Funds will be disbursed no later than April 2026.

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Host or Publisher National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Phoenix Metropolitan Chapter