A Letter From Our CEO, Omi Bell

Dear BGV Family,

Nine years. When I say it out loud, it feels both like the blink of an eye and a lifetime of lessons, growth, and community. 

As I sit with this milestone, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for every person who has walked alongside Black Girl Ventures, from our team and board to our founders, partners, and supporters who have made this journey possible.

When I started BGV, I couldn’t have imagined the impact we would create together. And yet here we are, NINE years later.

Together, we’ve proven that when we invest in women of color, entire communities thrive.

Over the years, BGV has reached incredible milestones that I’m proud to celebrate with you:

• Funded over 550 under-resourced companies, impacted more than 20,000 entrepreneurs, and served over 40,000 families, building opportunities and creating lasting change. 

• Collaborated with leading global brands like Nike, TikTok, PIMCO, and Visa, hosted over 300 events, and trained more than 5,000 leaders. 

These milestones reflect the collective passion, dedication, and vision of our community.

But this anniversary is not only about the organization, it’s also a moment of personal reflection.

Through this journey, I’ve grown in ways I never anticipated:

• Traveling the globe to train women and entrepreneurs, and witnessing firsthand the ripple effect of empowerment

• Finding confidence in my voice and leadership, learning to trust my instincts, and show up fully as myself.

• Becoming the kind of leader I once only dreamed of being one who is both visionary and grounded in community.

• I’ve also been honored as an Aspen Fellow and a Kennedy Center artist, and authored Originate, Motivate, Innovate: 7 Steps for Building a Billion Dollar Network.

I’ve discovered my passion for wellness and healing. I am now a certified Breathwork, Reiki, and Yoga Nidra practitioner and sound healer, and initiatives like Boardrooms & Breathwork reflect my commitment to holistic leadership and intentional living.

None of this would have been possible without you. To the BGV team, thank you for your dedication, brilliance, and heart. 

And to our funders and founders, thank you for your courage, creativity, and relentless drive. You are the reason we exist, and the reason we will continue to fight for equity and access.

As I look ahead, I see a future filled with possibility. With your continued support, we will keep building, keep innovating, and keep creating spaces where under-represented entrepreneurs are not just included, but centered and celebrated.

From the bottom of my heart thank you for walking this journey with me. Here’s to the next chapter, and to many more years of impact and transformation.

Omi Bell

Founder & CEO

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