AYA Foundation

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AYA Foundation

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AYA Foundation exists to close the wealth gap in the Black community. Donate here https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Aya-Foundation

08/24/2026

AYA Foundation occupies a unique place in Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are a community foundation focused on wealth building in Black and other underserved communities—and we believe entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for achieving it.

AYA educates. AYA connects. AYA invests.

From business training and financial readiness to direct funding, contract opportunities, and strategic relationships, we help entrepreneurs gain what they need to build successful and sustainable ventures. Help us expand this work during Black Philanthropy Month, donate TODAY. Click the link in our bio, and back the brilliance!

generationalwealth

08/19/2026

Talent is everywhere. Access is not.

Too many capable entrepreneurs lack the capital, trusted guidance, professional networks, and market opportunities needed to start, sustain, and grow successful businesses.
AYA Foundation is building the entrepreneurial infrastructure that transforms access into opportunity—and opportunity into prosperity. We connect business owners to education, capital,
contracts, coaching, and critical resources designed to produce lasting results.

During Black Philanthropy Month, invest in an ecosystem where brilliance can thrive! Donate today, LINK in our BIO!

08/12/2026

Culture is more than what we create—it is what we own, protect, invest in, and pass forward.

As part of Culture to Capital: Owning the Creative Economy, we’re excited to welcome Community Roots Art Festival (CRAFt) as one of our featured community vendors!

Founded in 2021, Community Roots Art Festival creates opportunities for Colorado-based creatives of color to thrive by breaking down economic and social barriers, connecting artists to resources, mentorship, training, and meaningful work opportunities.
Their work is a powerful reminder that a thriving creative economy requires more than visibility—it requires access, ownership, opportunity, and community investment.

Join us at Culture to Capital as we bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and organizations who are building an economy where our creativity doesn’t just influence culture—it creates wealth, opportunity, and legacy. Come connect with Community Roots Art Festival learn more about their work, and tap into what they’re building across Colorado.

08/11/2026

Understanding your finances is one of the most important investments you can make in your business. Join AYA Foundation for our Financial Foundations for Business Growth Masterclass, facilitated by Wayne Encalarde of Encalarde Consultants, LLC as we explore the financial strategies, tools, and insights that help entrepreneurs make confident decisions, strengthen operations, and build businesses that are positioned for long-term success. Whether you’re just getting your financial systems in place or looking to sharpen your understanding, this session will provide practical guidance you can immediately apply.

This is a free virtual workshop, but space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot. We can’t wait to learn, connect, and continue building stronger businesses and stronger communities together.

08/07/2026

Today reminded us why creating intentional spaces matters.

We didn’t just gather to talk about food—we created a space where truth could be spoken, where stories could be shared openly, and where entrepreneurs felt safe enough to be honest about the realities of building businesses in the food industry.

We talked about culture. We talked about legacy. We talked about access, ownership, resilience, and what it really takes to sustain a business while remaining true to who you are. There was liberation in the conversation because no one had to perform. People showed up as themselves. They shared the wins, the setbacks, the sacrifices, and the lessons that don’t always make it into the highlight reels. That kind of honesty creates community, and community creates possibility.

To our incredible moderator, Chef Bella Boss , and our phenomenal panelists— Fathima Dickerson Welton Street Cafe Fetien the Great Konjo Ethiopian Food Derrick Cooper OpenFridge Gourmet —thank you for trusting us with your stories and pouring into our entrepreneurial community. Your wisdom, vulnerability, and leadership created an experience that will stay with so many of us long after today.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, leaned into the conversation, and helped make this event so meaningful.

This is what ecosystem building looks like. This is what happens when we make room for authentic dialogue, collective learning, and shared growth.

Here’s to continuing to build spaces where entrepreneurship, culture, and community can thrive—together.

08/05/2026

This month, we celebrate Black Philanthropy Month and Black Business Month—a powerful reminder that investing in Black entrepreneurs is an investment in stronger families, stronger communities, and generational wealth.

Congratulations to the inaugural Scale My Biz Cohort! Over 10 intensive modules, these founders committed to the deep work of building sustainable businesses. They strengthened their operations, developed strategic Growth Plans, refined their vision, and confidently pitched what comes next.

To our founders: thank you for trusting the process, embracing growth, and reminding us that Black entrepreneurship is one of the greatest acts of community transformation.

Thank you to our incredible judges for your thoughtful feedback, our sponsors, facilitators, mentors, and volunteers for investing your time and expertise, and a special thank you to our AYA Foundation Board Member, Avi Aliyu, for showing up and pouring into our founders. We also extend our gratitude to our partners at BEN Colorado for helping make this inaugural cohort possible.

This is more than a graduation. It’s a celebration of ownership, possibility, and what happens when a community chooses to invest in Black brilliance. Here’s to our founders—and to the businesses, jobs, and legacy they will continue to create.

08/03/2026

Ready to turn your business idea into a strong foundation for growth? Join AYA Foundation, in partnership with BEN Colorado, for our Early Stage Lunch & Learn Series—a free, five-day virtual experience created for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners ready to build with intention.

Over the course of five lunchtime sessions, you’ll gain practical tools and expert guidance on:
✔️ Business Registration
✔️ Business Planning
✔️ Operations & Infrastructure
✔️ Understanding Financials
✔️ Access to Capital

Bring your lunch, your laptop, and your vision—we’ll provide the knowledge, resources, and community to help you take your next step with confidence.

🗓️ September 14–18, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM–1:30 PM MT
💻 Virtual (BYOL: Bring Your Own Lunch & Laptop)
🔗 In our BIO

07/21/2026

Culture to Capital: Owning the Creative Economy

Creativity is more than expression—it’s an economic driver. It’s ownership. It’s entrepreneurship. It’s community wealth.

Join the AYA Foundation for a powerful conversation celebrating Black Philanthropy Month and Black Business Month as we explore what it takes to build sustainable businesses, protect creative work, and create lasting impact through the creative economy.

Hear from an incredible panel of Colorado creatives who are building brands, creating opportunities, and shaping culture through their work:

✨ Christopher Paul Horne
✨ Charlie Billingsly of Museum For Black Girls
✨ James “Tru” Truitt of Trulvl, Inc.
✨ Lane-O

🎤 Moderated by Wil Alston

Whether you’re an artist, musician, photographer, designer, filmmaker, content creator, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is for you. Come connect with fellow creatives, gain practical insights, and be inspired by leaders who are transforming passion into purpose, ownership, and lasting economic impact.

Friday, August 14, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM |📍 Museum for Black Girls | Denver, CO

Registration is now open! Reserve your spot today and join us as we invest in creativity, ownership, and the future of Colorado’s creative economy.

🔗 Register through the link in our bio!

07/20/2026

The Flavor Economy: Food. Culture. Opportunity.

Food is more than what we eat—it’s culture, community, and opportunity. Join the AYA Foundation, in partnership with BEN Colorado, for The Flavor Economy, an engaging panel conversation celebrating Black Business Month and Black Philanthropy Month.

Hear from Derrick Cooper of OpenFridge Gourmet , Fathima Dickerson of Welton Street Cafe and Fetien Gebre-Michael of Konjo Ethiopian Food & Konjo Ethiopian Food Truck as they share their experiences building successful food businesses and navigating the realities of growth, partnerships, distribution, financial readiness, and long-term sustainability within Colorado’s food industry.

Whether you’re a chef, caterer, food truck owner, restaurant owner, food producer, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation will provide practical insights, valuable connections, and actionable strategies to help strengthen and grow your business.

📅 Friday, August 7, 2026
🕥 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 To Be Announced
🎟️ FREE & Open to the Public | Registration Required

Come connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community partners as we explore what it truly means to build within the Flavor Economy and create pathways for sustainable growth, ownership, and community wealth.

🔗 Register today! Link in bio.

Address

1031 33rd Street
Denver, CO
80205

Website

http://ayafoundation.org/, https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Aya-Foundation

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