- Every participating founder receives funding from a $500,000 growth fund, not just one winner.
- Student entrepreneurs keep full ownership of their companies while receiving mentorship.
- Target’s partnership has directed nearly $3 million to Black founders across six seasons.
Marsai Martin is teaming up with a familiar creative collaborator for her latest television project.
The actress and producer has reunited with black-ish creator Kenya Barris for the sixth season of Bet On Black, REVOLT’s entrepreneurship series highlighting the next generation of Black business owners. Martin serves as host, while Barris joins as executive producer, marking their first collaboration since the ABC comedy that helped launch Martin’s career.
According to a press release, the new season premiered Monday, Oct. 19, with a renewed focus on aspiring entrepreneurs attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), highlighting their innovative business ideas and providing opportunities to secure funding to help bring their visions to life.
Marsai Martin And Kenya Barris Reunite To Spotlight HBCU Entrepreneurs
The sixth season of Bet On Black, powered by Target, features student entrepreneurs from Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Grambling State University and Fayetteville State University.
Unlike previous seasons, which centered on competition for a single grand prize, the latest installment introduces a format in which every participating founder receives a portion of a $500,000 growth fund, along with mentorship and resources designed to help expand their businesses.
The participating entrepreneurs also retain 100% ownership of their companies.
Joining Martin and Barris is a group of established business leaders serving as mentors, including The Gathering Spot co-founder Ryan Wilson, entrepreneur and podcast host Reginae Carter, financial expert Ashley M. Fox, venture capitalist Jewel Burks Solomon and fashion designer Brandon Blackwood.
Together, the mentors provide guidance on investing, branding, entrepreneurship and financial strategy as the students work to develop their businesses.
The project also marks Barris’ first collaboration with REVOLT since being named vice chair of REVOLT Labs.
Filmed in Atlanta, including at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, the series features a production workforce that is approximately 90% Black.
REVOLT CEO Detavio Samuels emphasized the importance of providing emerging entrepreneurs with financial opportunities rather than simply celebrating their potential via a statement.
“Black entrepreneurs don’t have a shortage of talent, ideas or ambition. They have a shortage of capital,” said Samuels.
“Bet On Black was built to help turn Black entrepreneurship into Black wealth by putting real checks behind Black-owned businesses,” he continued.
According to REVOLT, Target’s partnership with the series has helped direct nearly $3 million to Black founders and Black-owned businesses across its six seasons.
For Martin and Barris, the reunion brings their creative partnership into a new space, moving beyond the scripted storytelling of black-ish to spotlight real-life young entrepreneurs working to build their own futures.
