At the UnTours Foundation, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and impact of Black entrepreneurs who are transforming their industries and uplifting their communities. For over three decades, the UnTours Foundation has proudly invested in founders who use their creativity, talent, and commitment to justice to build businesses that drive economic opportunity and redefine success.
From a fashion designer repurposing reclaimed fabrics to advance social justice to a chocolatier reviving Jamaica’s cacao heritage while ensuring fair wages for small farmers, these entrepreneurs are proving that business can be both profitable and a force for good. In this blog post, we highlight a few UnTours Foundation investees who are shaping their industries, strengthening their communities, and proving that business can be a catalyst for meaningful change.
Anita Moreau – Black Travel Summit
Born to a Seychellois mother and Haitian father, Anita Moreau grew up surrounded by cultural diversity in London, which shaped her passion for heritage and representation. A career in archaeology and museum curation deepened her commitment to preserving cultural narratives. However, a racist encounter while traveling in Spain highlighted the urgent need for Black representation in the travel industry. This experience fueled her mission to create the Black Travel Summit (BTS) in 2019. More than just an event series, the BTS is a movement that connects Black travelers, entrepreneurs, and professionals through global summits. Under Anita’s leadership, the BTS has engaged over 10,000 attendees and created a platform that amplifies Black voices in the travel space.
Zi Donnya Piggott – Pink Coconuts
Zi Donnya Piggott’s advocacy started at 21 when she co-founded B-GLAD (Barbados Gays, Lesbians, and All-Sexuals Against Discrimination) to combat anti-LGBTQ bias in the Caribbean. Recognizing the economic power of tourism as a tool for social change, she launched Pink Coconuts, a travel platform that connects LGBTQ+ travelers with businesses that have undergone inclusivity training. Through mobile training sessions and a marketplace that certifies and connects businesses, Pink Coconuts ensures queer travelers can explore the world safely and confidently. Zi’s leadership has not only reshaped LGBTQ+ travel but also shown that inclusivity is good for business, with partner businesses seeing up to a 35% increase in bookings.
Kimberly McGlonn – NOOR by Grant Blvd
Kimberly McGlonn’s journey began on Grant Boulevard, her childhood home where she witnessed both stability and struggle. Inspired by her mother’s volunteer work in correctional facilities and her father’s dedication to food justice, she grew up with a deep passion for advocacy. In 2016, after teaching about colonialism and systemic injustice for years, she was moved by Ava DuVernay’s 13th to take action. She launched Grant Blvd, a fashion brand that repurposes reclaimed fabrics, employs formerly incarcerated individuals, and reinvests in organizations fighting mass incarceration. Her newest venture, NOOR by Grant Blvd, expands this mission into home goods, equipping women with skills training and economic independence. Kimberly’s brands are proof that sustainability, social justice, and second chances can go hand in hand.
Lawrence Phillips – Green Book Global
Lawrence Phillips’ love for travel was ignited as a teenager when he spent 30 days hiking Olympic National Park as part of a program for underserved youth in Boston. Years later, after experiencing both warm welcomes and racial bias while traveling across 30+ countries, he realized the need for a resource that could help Black travelers navigate global experiences. In 2018, he launched Green Book Global, inspired by the historic Negro Motorist Green Book. Today, the platform offers over 6,000 user-generated reviews on more than 400 destinations, rating them for safety, culture, and inclusivity. More than a travel review site, Green Book Global is a community-driven movement that empowers Black travelers to explore the world with confidence.
Deidre Mathis – Wanderstay Hospitality Group
Deidre Mathis’ passion for travel was sparked during a study abroad program at Florida A&M University. That experience led her to visit over 50 countries across all seven continents and ultimately inspired her to start the Wanderstay Hospitality Group, a hospitality brand offering affordable, community-driven accommodations. In 2018, she became the first Black woman in the U.S. to own a hostel, and in 2023, she expanded with the Wanderstay Boutique Hotel. Beyond hospitality, Deidre’s Wander Abroad Foundation provides passports and study abroad scholarships for underrepresented students, ensuring more young people gain global experiences. Her work is reshaping the industry, proving that representation in travel and hospitality matters.
Brandon Winfield – iAccess Life
At just 14, Brandon Winfield’s life changed when a motocross accident left him paralyzed. But rather than letting obstacles define him, he turned his personal experience into a force for change. In 2019, he founded iAccess Life, an app that allows users to rate and review the accessibility of public spaces, from restaurants to hotels. With over 3,500 reviews across 45 states and 30 countries, the platform is transforming how people with disabilities navigate the world. Beyond reviews, iAccess Life helps businesses improve accessibility through real-time feedback, ensuring inclusivity is a priority. Brandon’s work isn’t just about convenience—it’s about challenging biases and advocating for a more accessible world.
Nick Davis – One One Cacao
As a former BBC journalist, Nick Davis first discovered the power of chocolate while reporting on Mott Green and the Grenada Chocolate Company. Years later, after a severe food allergy forced him to rethink what he ate, he turned that passion into action, founding One One Cacao in Jamaica. Sourcing from 60+ smallholder farmers in underserved parishes throughout the country, One One Cacao pays twice the global market rate while promoting sustainable farming among their partners. Through immersive farm tours and chocolate workshops, Nick connects visitors to the heart of Jamaican cacao. More than just making chocolate, Nick is reviving Jamaica’s overlooked cacao heritage, helping farmers embrace agroforestry and high-quality production to compete globally.
Greg Bakunzi – Red Rocks Rwanda
A refugee for much of his early life, Greg Bakunzi returned to Rwanda after the 1994 genocide with a deep commitment to rebuilding his homeland. As a tour guide in Volcanoes National Park, he saw visitors visit to catch a glimpse at the mountain gorillas but miss the vibrant culture of the people living nearby. Determined to change this, he founded Red Rocks Rwanda, a social enterprise weaving tourism into community development through hands-on experiences like basket weaving, drumming, and farming. Red Rocks connects travelers with local artisans and traditions, ensuring tourism directly benefits those who call their lands home. Beyond culture, the initiative also supports reforestation, organic farming, and environmental education.
Cheryl Stevens – Cheryl’s Southern Style Cuisine
Cheryl Stevens launched Cheryl’s Southern Style Cuisine in 2003, running a takeout-only restaurant in Chester, Pennsylvania, while juggling the challenges of securing stable rental spaces. Despite setbacks that forced her to relocate multiple times, she refused to walk away from her dream. After years of perseverance, she earned a spot at the Wells Fargo Center’s Launch Test Kitchen, a major break that put her business in front of thousands of sports fans. The opportunity came after losing a high-profile vendor contract, a moment that could have ended her journey but instead fueled her determination. Beyond the business, Cheryl has mentored young chefs, taught culinary programs at Chester High School, and hired from within her community, creating jobs and opportunities for others. She credits her resilience to the support of her late mentor Hal Taussig, founder of the UnTours Foundation, whose words, “Whatever you do, do not give up,” continue to guide her.
Yve-Car Momperousse – Kreyòl Essence
Yve-Car Momperousse launched Kreyòl Essence after a personal search for Haitian Black Castor Oil led her to realize that Haiti’s beauty traditions were largely untapped in global markets. Rather than just importing products, she built a business that creates economic opportunities for Haitian farmers and women, ensuring that every sale supports local communities. Kreyòl Essence produces ethical, plant-based beauty products using ingredients like castor oil, moringa, and vetiver, sourced directly from small farmers. The company prioritizes sustainability and fair wages, proving that Haiti’s resources can drive economic growth instead of dependency. Yve-Car’s leadership has brought Kreyòl Essence to major retailers like Ulta and Whole Foods, making Haitian beauty traditions accessible worldwide. Her work challenges stereotypes by showing that Haiti is not just a place of challenges but a hub of innovation and cultural wealth.
Devon Walls – New Day Chester
Devon Walls launched New Day Chester to transform Chester, Pennsylvania through art-driven community renewal. Inspired by his uncle, the late Bill Dandridge, he founded New Day Chester to repurpose abandoned buildings into creative spaces, including the MJ Freed Performing Arts Theater, a hub for performances, workshops, and local talent. He created the Freedmen’s Arts Alliance to connect artists, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises, proving that culture can be a catalyst for economic growth. Beyond revitalizing physical spaces, Devon’s mission is to build pathways for local artists to sustain their work and reinvest in their community. By restoring Chester’s artistic identity and empowering its residents, Devon built a model for sustainable urban revitalization where creativity leads to new opportunities.
Brenda Davis – Iron Man, Inc.
Brenda Davis and her husband Kevin started Iron Man, Inc. with a single welding machine chained to a stop sign on a Philadelphia sidewalk. Over time, they grew the business into a premier ironworks company, providing custom metalwork and job opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers. Their journey was marked by perseverance, especially after losing their son Myron, a decorated Airborne Ranger, to a tragic act of road rage in 2007. Despite the heartbreak, Brenda and Kevin remained steadfast, pouring their energy into growing Iron Man, Inc. With support from UnTours Foundation investments, they were able to secure large contracts, maintain their commitment to quality craftsmanship, and provide economic opportunities in their community.
