BMe Community proudly announces its 2024 BMe Vanguard Awards. This national honor, sponsored by McKnight Foundation, Ballmer Group, NBA Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, and Interfaith America, provides 43 honorees $10,000 in unrestricted funds to support their social impact initiatives along with enrollment in an advanced leadership enrichment program to expand their knowledge, influence, and networks.

The BMe Vanguard program brings inspiring and trusted Black leaders into a community that fosters their well-being, financial empowerment, collaboration, and positive social impact. BMe Vanguard honorees embody the #NextNarrative principle of defining people by their aspirations and contributions, rather than by their limitations or stigmas.

“BMe Vanguards come from all walks of life but share one authentic action-oriented love for humanity,” said Trabian Shorters, Co-founder and CEO of BMe Community. “BMe Community and our partners are honored to recognize these deeply dedicated builders of Black people and all people’s freedoms to Live, Own, Vote, and Excel (L.O.V.E.).”

Since its inception in 2013, BMe has given over $4 Million in angel grants, launching 260 social impact initiatives and supporting 160 more. On average, those initiatives raised 54 times BMe’s angel investment and collectively serve millions of families across the United States.