Tampa startup founder receives grant from Black entrepreneurship event

Tampa entrepreneur Imani Lee of startup Black Stock Footage was one of only a handful of entrepreneurs who received a grant for their innovative businesses. 

The virtual Black Entrepreneurs Day event, held Oct. 14, was presented by Chase for Business and curated and hosted by Daymond John, the founder and CEO of clothing brand FUBU and co-star of ABC’s show Shark Tank. 

The event awards a combined $250,000 in NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Powershift Grants to 10 entrepreneurs.

Black Stock Footage, co-founded by Lee and Zebrina Edgerton-Maloy, is an online platform for video creators that’s fully focused on Black representation. The duo is preparing to launch the platform in the coming weeks. 

A sample image of the platform that will be launching soon. Photo  provided by RMG Consulting.

Lee said the goal of the platform is for Black photographers to “share authentic videos and pictures of their communities.” 

He told John that the $25,000 grant would go toward launching the platform and nailing down the legal matters and administration for the product, and that it will help the company “grow smart and not just grow fast.” 

Other recipients awarded the NAACP Powershift Grants include: 

• Courtney Pettway, creator of KidVestors in Louisville 
• Dawn Skeete, owner of Jam’It Bistro in Brooklyn 
• Straw and Wool in Phoenix
• Staci Childs, owner of Sunnyside Legal in Houston
• Phil Terril, owner of Sole Safe in St. Paul 
• Jessica Spaulding, owner of Harlem Chocolate Factory in New York 
• Karl Jackson, owner of Black Beard Brigade in Spring, Texas  
• Tafari Roberts, owner of The Tafari Group’s Rove Brands Biodegradable Soap in Detroit 
• Michelle Olomojobi, owner of Llulo in Missouri City, Texas 

The event also hosted speaking sessions from keynote speakers who included celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Shaquille O’Neal, Tyra Banks, Marcus Samuelsson, Rev Run, and Janice Bryant Howroyd, as well as a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Khalid.