Uncle Funky’s Daughter Partners with Texas Southern University to Launch MPoWR Her Grant for Female Entrepreneurs

Houston, TX  – Uncle Funky’s Daughter, a prominent natural hair care brand, has announced a partnership with Texas Southern University (TSU) aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs through the establishment of the MPoWR Her Grant. This initiative, underpinned by a generous $50,000 endowment from The Rhoten Morris Family Foundation, will be awarded annually to an African-American female student enrolled in TSU’s Entrepreneurial Hub, providing vital financial support for their startup ventures.

During TSU’s homecoming celebrations, Renee Rhoten Morris, Chief Curl Officer of Uncle Funky’s Daughter, presented the $50,000 check to TSU President James Crawford III, highlighting the significance of the grant in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. According to J.P. Morgan, African-American women represent the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the U.S., with a remarkable 50% increase in businesses from 2014 to 2019, compared to a 24% rise among all women-owned businesses. Despite this growth, African-American female founders receive less than 0.35% of total venture capital funding in the country, often relying on personal savings and credit to finance their ventures.

A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank underscores this disparity, revealing that 65% of Black women business owners use personal funds to launch and grow their businesses, in contrast to 55% of their white counterparts. The MPoWR Her Grant aims to address this inequity by offering essential financial support to early-stage African-American female entrepreneurs, helping to alleviate some of the financial barriers that frequently impede business growth.

Renee Rhoten Morris emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We must create channels that change the playing field. HBCUs play an essential role in cultivating female African-American talent, and we’re proud to be part of TSU’s Entrepreneurial Hub, which will nurture the next generation of innovators. This grant underscores our dedication to empowering future female leaders, fostering education, and creating pathways for building generational wealth.”

The partnership with Uncle Funky’s Daughter is expected to enhance TSU’s academic environment and attract talented entrepreneurial students. This collaboration, which comes as TSU approaches its 100th anniversary, reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to innovation and community empowerment.

Through this partnership, Uncle Funky’s Daughter and Texas Southern University are paving the way for a future where education, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment are interconnected, ultimately creating opportunities for aspiring female leaders in the African-American community.

For more information about the MPoWR Her Grant and the partnership between Uncle Funky’s Daughter and TSU, please visit the official announcement here.

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