Madame C.J. Walker Entrepreneurship Award

The UCLA Afrikan Student Union (ASU) proudly presents the Madame C.J. Walker Entrepreneurship Award, an opportunity designed to invest directly in the economic future of the Black community by supporting Black Bruins with entrepreneurial aspirations.

Rooted in the legacy of Madame C.J. Walker—a pioneer of Black economic independence—this award empowers students to launch or grow startups that create measurable, tangible benefits for Black communities locally and beyond.

About the Award

Each year, five awardees will be selected to receive up to $5,000 to support the creation or advancement of a startup venture. These ventures should be intentionally designed to address community needs, foster economic growth, and contribute to sustainable Black-owned businesses.

Beyond financial support, recipients gain the opportunity to deepen their entrepreneurial skills, strengthen community connections, and contribute to a growing network of socially conscious Black founders at UCLA.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is open to:

• UCLA undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates (within the last two years)

• Startup teams where at least 50% of members meet the above criteria

• Early to mid-stage startups with a developed business model and proof of customer validation

Applicants are encouraged to think broadly and creatively about how their venture serves the Black community—whether through education, health, technology, arts, sustainability, or economic empowerment.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated holistically using the following criteria:

• Startup Stage & Viability – Clear business model, realistic goals, and achievable outcomes

• Program Design – Thoughtful planning and execution strategy

• Social Impact – Demonstrated positive change in the Black community

• Understanding Community Needs – Clear articulation of the problem and why this solution works

• Uniqueness & Creativity – Innovative approaches to addressing community issues

• Organization & Clarity – Well-written, coherent, and compelling proposal

Selected recipients may be asked to share progress updates, successes, and lessons learned to help strengthen future investments in Black entrepreneurship at UCLA.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline:
  Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Week 4)

• Top Applicant Notifications:
  Monday, February 9, 2026 (Week 6)

• Committee Presentations:
  February 16 – February 20, 2026 (Week 7)

• Award Notifications:
  Friday, February 27, 2026 (Week 8)

• Award Distribution:
  June 2026 at All Afrikan People’s Graduation
  (Attendance required)

Awardee Responsibilities

All award recipients must:

• Have an active LLC established by the time of award distribution

• Complete a community-based workshop for either the Black Bruin Resource Center or the Black Business Student Association by the end of Spring Quarter

• Commit to “paying it forward” by contributing time, talent, and/or mentorship to future Black entrepreneurs

Building a Legacy

The Madame C.J. Walker Entrepreneurship Award is more than a grant—it is an investment in collective growth, economic self-sufficiency, and community power. Awardees become part of a growing alumni network committed to sustaining and expanding opportunities for Black-owned ventures at UCLA and beyond.

Through shared knowledge, resources, and support, we continue the work of building a healthy, prosperous, and economically self-sufficient Black community.

Ready to build something impactful? Apply and be part of the legacy.

APPLY HERE 

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