Sisterhood & Startups: How Zeta Phi Beta is Fueling Economic Power

NASHVILLE, TN – July 10, 2026 – Amid the energy of thousands of women leaders gathered for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated's 2026 Grand Boulé, a new kind of history is being made. On a brightly lit stage, seven entrepreneurs are not just presenting business plans; they are embodying a strategic shift in how community-based organizations can drive economic empowerment. This is the inaugural International Women Who Win Business Pitch Competition, a landmark event that moves beyond rhetoric and directly injects capital and visibility into the hands of women founders.

What began as a business directory in 2022 has evolved into a powerful economic initiative. Today, it culminates in a high-stakes competition where finalists, honed through regional contests, vie for a share of a prize pool that includes a $10,000 top award. But the monetary prize, while significant, is only a fraction of the story. This is about access, network, and validation on an international platform.

A New Arena for Economic Empowerment

The Grand Boulé is no small affair. With an estimated 8,000 members and leaders convening in Nashville, the event attracts major corporate partners like Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Amazon. By placing this pitch competition at the heart of its most significant biennial gathering, Zeta Phi Beta is providing its entrepreneurs with an unparalleled audience of potential customers, mentors, and partners. The seven finalists are not just pitching to a panel of judges; they are presenting to a built-in ecosystem ready to support them.

This strategic placement transforms a simple competition into a powerful catalyst for growth. The initiative, Women Who Win, is designed to be a comprehensive support system, and this event is its flagship demonstration. It's a tangible manifestation of the sorority's commitment to moving its members from surviving to thriving.

"This competition is more than awarding prize money—it is about investing in women, amplifying their voices, and creating opportunities that have lasting economic impact," said Diana L. Hilaire, International Co-Director of Women Who Win. The sentiment underscores a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. For many founders, particularly women of color, the initial seed capital is a critical barrier, but the network and social capital that come with it are what sustain long-term success. Women Who Win aims to provide both.

Addressing the Capital Gap for Black Women Entrepreneurs

To understand the significance of this competition, one must look at the broader economic landscape. Black women are the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the United States, a testament to their resilience and innovation. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the number of Black women-owned employer businesses grew by an astonishing 13%. Yet, this incredible growth story is shadowed by systemic inequities.

Research paints a stark picture: Black female founders earn an average revenue of just $24,000, a fraction of the $142,900 average for all women-owned businesses. A primary driver of this disparity is a profound lack of access to capital. Over 60% of Black women report self-funding their ventures, and their loan applications are rejected at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. The venture capital world is even more exclusive, with fewer than 100 Black women having raised over $1 million by 2020.

This is the gap that Women Who Win is strategically designed to address. By creating its own funding and support pipeline, Zeta Phi Beta is building an alternative pathway to success. The initiative recognizes that closing the revenue and capital gaps for Black women entrepreneurs could add over $1 trillion to the U.S. economy. This isn't just a social program; it's a sound economic strategy that leverages the untapped potential of a dynamic and driven demographic.

From Directory to Dynamic Ecosystem

The sophistication of the Women Who Win initiative lies in its evolution. Launched in 2022, it began with a foundational tool: a business directory to connect and elevate businesses within the sorority's vast network. This initial step fostered visibility and community commerce. From there, the program methodically added layers of support.

Today, Women Who Win is a multi-faceted ecosystem offering educational programming on business development, leadership, and procurement readiness. It has forged strategic partnerships with powerhouse organizations like the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), The BOSS Network, and the Dfree financial freedom movement. These alliances provide members with certifications, mentorship, and access to corporate supply chains, moving them beyond small-scale operations and toward scalable, sustainable enterprises.

"Being involved with this signature initiative and establishing the essential groundwork with our dynamic team for all Women Who Win events since its inception has been exciting and something that we hope brings value to our businesses for years to come," stated Maryam Lynch-Tate, the initiative's International Co-Director. Her words point to the deliberate, long-term vision behind the program—a commitment to building an infrastructure for generational wealth.

A Legacy of Service Meets Modern Strategy

Founded in 1920 on the campus of Howard University, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has a century-long legacy rooted in scholarship, service, and sisterhood. The Women Who Win initiative is the modern embodiment of these principles, translating a historical commitment to community uplift into a tangible 21st-century economic agenda.

Under the leadership of International President Dr. Stacie NC Grant, the organization is demonstrating how a legacy institution can pivot to meet the urgent needs of its community. The theme of the 2026 Grand Boulé, "The Extraordinary Power of S.H.E.: Voices of Service and Advocacy in Harmony," perfectly captures this synthesis of service and strategic action. By investing directly in its entrepreneurs, the sorority is not only fostering individual success stories but also strengthening the economic fabric of entire communities. This pitch competition is more than a single event; it is a powerful statement that investing in women is the most direct path to building a more equitable and prosperous future.