Author name: Benny Samuels

AYA Foundation Announces CEO Retirement and Initiates National Search for Successor

Denver, CO, March 13, 2025– The AYA Foundation, Colorado’s community foundation dedicated to supporting aspiring Black entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business owners, has announced that CEO Benny Samuels will retire in December 2025 after five years of transformative leadership. Benny Samuels’ Legacy of Leadership Samuels joined the AYA Foundation as its founding CEO and Executive […]

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Announcing our new Chief Operations Officer, Tonoa Manuel: Building AYA’s Capacity to Serve You in Bigger and Better Ways

Dearest AYA Family, It is with great joy that I share the news that AYA Foundation has hired the organization’s second full-time employee. Tonoa Manuel joined the foundation’s staff on January 2 as chief operating officer (COO).  As you may know, Tonoa has served as a part-time contract consultant to AYA Foundation since we began operations in

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SBA to Kick-Off Small Business Saturday by Touring Denver’s Harambee Holiday Market

Event Kick-off to be held Friday, Nov. 22 at noon in Denver’s Five Points U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Administrator Aikta Marcoulier will kick-off Small Business Saturday festivities by visiting several small businesses participating in the 2024 Harambee Holiday Market, to be held at the Posner Center for International Development building, 1031 33rd Street

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Elevate Your Business This Fall: Vendor Opportunities and Free Bootcamp!

Fall is almost here, and we are so excited to share two incredible events with you! In October, get ready to supercharge your business with our JumpStart My Biz 5-week bootcamp. Then in November, we have an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and artists to showcase your products at the AYA Fall Black Market and connect with a community eager to support Black-owned

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Smart Giver’s Guide: Maximizing Your Impact on Black Entrepreneurship

Dear AYA Community, As we approach 8/28 – Black Philanthropy Day – we’re unveiling a smart giving strategy that honors both Black Business and Black Philanthropy Month. This opportunity lets you make a powerful impact while being financially savvy. The key to this smart giving strategy? The Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credit! This powerful financial tool allows you to amplify

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Madam C.J. Walker: The Original Influencer

Hey there, AYA Family! August is here, and we’re celebrating a double-header: Black Business Month AND Black Philanthropy Month! It’s like a two-for-one special on inspiration and impact.Today, let’s chat about a woman who could’ve given any modern-day influencer a run for their money: Madam C.J. Walker. Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, she was the first in her family to

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From 1787 to Today: the Enduring Spirit of Black Philanthropy

Dear Friend,As we celebrate both Black Philanthropy Month and Black Business Month this August, AYA Foundation stands at the vibrant intersection of these two powerful movements, continuing a legacy that stretches back to 1787 in Philadelphia. The Free African Society: Strength in UnityLet me take you back there – Candlelight flickers across determined faces in the home of James Dexter,

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Black Philanthropy Month, Black Business Month, and AYA Foundation walk into a bar…

Spoiler alert: economic empowerment is what’s on tap! Imagine walking into your favorite local café this August. The air is buzzing with excitement, and you can’t help but notice three charismatic figures huddled together at a table. As you get closer, you realize it’s Black Philanthropy Month, Black Business Month, and AYA Foundation, deep in

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