The Women of Color initiative was started by WBCS in 2012 with the formation of the Women of Color Outreach Committee made up of both Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and Corporate members. This initiative was established in response to the growing number of women-owned businesses being started by women of color. We host three business mixers throughout the year events geared toward women of color including happy hours, panel discussions, and business mixers. In 2020, we started a complimentary three month Certification Guide Program which connects a prospective WBE with a current member who can help them through the certification process or teach them how to get plugged into the network.
The guide and prospective member meet monthly at their discretion for three months. The next cohort takes place mid-July through mid-October of 2024. It kicks off with an in-person Meet Your Guide Mixer in Irving, TX in July open to all participants and and wraps up with an in-person Women of Color Business Mixer open to the full WBCS network in Irving, TX in October.
Prospective Member Expectations
- Be WBE certification-eligible (Learn about the criteria and process here.)
- Attend the May and October Women of Color Business Mixers
- Attend a complimentary Prospective WBE Info Session
- Attend the Meet Your Guide Mixer in July
- Connect with your guide as needed (ideally once per month)