GOALS

• Collaborate with local agencies, prominent business owners and media outlets in positions of impact to expand the black opportunity by referring small black owned businesses and consumers into those spaces

  
  

• Provide ad space and educational opportunities via a mobile experience 

  
  

• Develop a "Prep & Access" learning space for those interested in starting a business

  
  

• Offer scholarships that will help move small black-owned businesses from "Hustle to Heights"

  
  

ABOUT US

What You Need to Know

​BDI is actively being used by over 43 thousand residents in Indiana, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago and Ohio.  BDI has created the exposure black businesses need to expand, as well as keep their doors open during times of survival difficulty.

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Businesses represented on the BDI platform include but are not limited to services such as:  Law, Engineering, Fashion/Design, Food/Restaurants, Home Improvement, Realty, Insurance, Beauty/Skincare, Healthcare, Technology, Education and Accounting to name a few.

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Wednesdays and Saturdays are called “Black Dolla Days.”  Black Dolla Days are set aside for advertising and promoting products/services and neighborhood events.  The other days are set aside for consumers to browse, shop, and give reviews about their experience.

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If you need it, you can almost be certain to find it on Black Dolla Indy.​​

MEET OUR TEAM

LAQUITA ALSUM

Activist-Educator-Highly Favored

COURTNEY BARBOUR

-Wife-Human Resource Specialist-Teen Ministry Leader

SHANECA LEE

-Christian-Mentor-Engineer

ROCHELLE LEE

-Woman of God-Grandmother-Owner of HeavenLee Kreations

MICHELLE THOMAS

-Favored by the Most High-Social Worker-Behavior Interventionist

BAYYINAH TUCKER

-Wife-Organizational Leader-Daughter of the Most High-Influential & Creative

ANIA KING

Student, Upcoming Designer, Poet

XAVIER KING

Husband, Father, Entrepreneur

CARMEN DAVENPORT

Mother, Revenue Cycle Manager, Founder, Author, Influencer

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Carmen Davenport is a biological mom of one, step-mom of 3 and motherly energy to many.  Redefining the written definition of ‘BLACK’ is the greatest empowering legacy she plans to leave to not only her own family, but others who struggle daily with accepting who they are despite what society considers ‘normal’.

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​Carmen grew up on the Southside of Indianapolis and graduated from Thomas Carr Howe High School (Go Hornets!), she went on to attend Indiana Business College where she majored in Fashion Merchandising. While in school, Carmen began working full-time for a local Non-Profit organization whose mission is to provide healthcare services to the underserved and disadvantaged population.  

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​Throughout Carmen’s tenure, she has implemented three software programs used to support both Practice Management and EHR workflows.  Carmen holds an 13 year Practice Management Training Certification, has developed and oversees her company's first corporate training program, manages it's Revenue Cycle Department and served as one of the first Organizational Customer Service Advocates & Corporate Event Planners.  To date, Carmen has been with the organization 30 years.

Carmen understands that people should function within their ministry to produce the biggest impact and she struggled to find how her passions and abilities could aid in improving some of the disparities the black communities face. 

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Carmen’s passion for bringing people together, her interest in making a difference and her struggle to find her place in a movement whose mission aligned with what kept her up at night, became the inspiration in creating the Black Dolla Indy platform. 

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Carmen launched a T-shirt line in 2015 entitled “Marilyn Who?” which was used to empower black women. Her hope was that they would develop a greater sense of self-worth through the expression of art depicted. In all, no matter the shade, black is beautiful!