DisruptED in the D: The Power of Black Leadership with Dwan Dandridge (Ep. 1)

Detroit has long been a city of resilience, innovation, and reinvention. Once the heart of American industry, its rebirth has been marked by waves of economic and social transformation. But as new developments reshape the city, the question remains: who gets to be part of this transformation, and how can Black leadership play a central role? Black entrepreneurs and leaders often face systemic challenges in accessing capital, despite their deep roots and contributions to the city. In fact, research shows that nonprofits led by people of color receive less funding than their white-led counterparts.

Black entrepreneurs and leaders often face systemic challenges in accessing capital, despite their deep roots and contributions to the city.

So how do we ensure that Detroit’s renaissance is truly inclusive? How can Black entrepreneurs and organizations access the resources they need to thrive? In the first episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Dwan Dandridge, the CEO and co-founder of Black Leaders Detroit, to explore how his organization is working to create equitable opportunities for Black businesses and nonprofits in the city. The episode highlights the role of Black leadership in shaping Detroit's future.

The two discuss…

• The legacy of Black Bottom and Detroit's history of Black entrepreneurship – and how systemic barriers continue to shape economic opportunities today.
• How Black Leaders Detroit is addressing funding disparities by creating a financial resource pool controlled by and for Black Detroiters.
• The importance of self-determination in economic development and how communities can take control of their own financial futures.

Dwan Dandridge is a Detroit native and the CEO of Black Leaders Detroit, an organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and leaders through equitable funding solutions. With a background spanning skilled trades, business ownership, and community activism, Dandridge's journey is a testament to the power of persistence and self-determination. His work aims to bridge the gap in funding for Black-led organizations and ensure that Detroit's economic resurgence benefits all its residents.