Black Leaders Detroit

#Community

After needing access to capital and unable to receive it, Dwan Dandridge founded Black Leaders Detroit (BLD) in 2019. With the goal of impacting residents and communities in Detroit that are predominantly of African descent, their mission is to provide financial support for diverse social and community-impact projects that are led by Detroit entrepreneurs of African descent. BLD provides no interest loans to Detroit entrepreneurs of African descent and grants to non-profits led by Detroiters of African descent.

BLD’s annual signature event is their “Ride for Equity.” The event raises money and awareness for BLD. Along the way the riders engage local communities through outreach designed to highlight the need for equity. Traditionally the ride starts in Detroit and ends in Mackinac in time for the Mackinac Policy Conference. The 2025 ride started in Tulsa at the historic site of Black Wall Street and will end in New York City on Wall Street.

D2N's 2023 bike ride raised funds and awareness for BLD.

D2N's 2022 bike ride raised awareness for all our Detroit programs, including BLD.

Richard, Doug Bitoni Stewart, David Contorer and Dwan Dandridge at the Mackinaw Bridge, the end of the 2023 Black Leaders Detroit's "Ride for Equity"

Back to projects