WeWork's Commitment to Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

This year, violent and racially-targeted events against the Black community have again come to the forefront of the public and the media’s attention. These tragic events have highlighted the continued systemic and structural racism that pervades our society—and made it clear that change is necessary. While eradicating the enormous obstacles of structural racism and systemic bias in business is no small task, many Americans are looking to create solutions by taking actionable steps to foster inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

As we know too well, we live in a world where Black people have to fight for their own right to live and work harder for the same opportunities. As a mission-driven organization, WeWork stands in solidarity with the Black community during this time of injustice.

At WeWork, their mission is to encourage people to “Do What You Love.” As we continue to witness the systemic inequalities that the Black community faces, WeWork is on a mission to be a part of the change and contribute to building structures fueled by fairness, equal opportunity, and support for groups that do not have the same privileges.

To show support for Black entrepreneurs, who have historically been underrepresented in the business community, WeWork has directed $2 million in business grants for Black-owned WeWork member businesses.

After WeWork reviewed hundreds of applications and developed a meticulous point system, an independent judging panel chose 200 grantees. Each will be awarded $10,000 to invest in their business, as well as resources for networking and growth from WeWork Labs.

Last month, WeWork announced their Black-owned businesses grant awardees, and recipients ranged from healthcare companies to media moguls and financial advisors. Read more here to learn about the awardees and details about the program.

WeWork has long been a supporter of small businesses, and the grant program represents a new step they have taken to build a larger solution for underrepresented, small businesses owners and shift structural biases in business that are deeply rooted in inequity.