Inspiration & Insight 
from the Future Collective

Welcome to The Gem, a collective space created to support the future of Black owned business. Inside you’ll find gems from business owners who are transparently sharing their personal learnings, insights, and takeaways as Black small business owners. Together, we will learn and grow from the collective experiences, insights, and ambitions of entrepreneurs of color and maximize resources for one another.

Stepping Up

Keya Martin takes inspiration from all different aspects of culture and design for her striking shoe designs.

De’Lor Cakery

The Joy of Cakes

The Caribbean-inspired flavors of De L’Or Cakery are drawn from founder Kayisha Thompson’s own heritage.

No Code? No Problem

This no-code app development software helps other businesses and organizations build their digital presence.

Forging Community through Connections

For these card game-creating sisters, community-building is at the heart of everything they do.

Budget Collector

Art for the Future

Growing up in a house filled with African art, these cofounders use the power of art to create a sense of identity and safety.

Seanice & Sharina Clarke

Brooklyn natives and sisters create card game Hey Girl Hey as a response to the pandemic parameters.

Adrian Abrams

New software company harnesses the power of no-code software to empower non-technical teams to build mobile apps.

De L’or Cakery

Kayisha Thompson

Cake artist Kayisha loves every moment of preparing delicious masterpieces that leave lasting impressions.

Budget Collector

Ebonique Boyd & Anya Ellis

Budget Collector app brings art collection to the masses through artificially intelligent art advisement.