Leslie Woodward, a Black woman and Le Cordon Bleu chef, faced significant challenges in securing funding to scale her plant-based dairy company, Edenesque, due to racial biases in the investor community. Lack of recent revenue and a perceived image of confidence hindered her access to capital. However, with support from the Black Farmer Fund, she successfully established her brand and infrastructure. This situation reflects broader systemic issues for Black farmers, who have seen a drastic decline in their numbers since the 1920s, exacerbated by historical racism in agriculture. Organizations like BFF and Potlikker Capital now aim to bridge this funding gap for BIPOC farmers.
Leslie Woodward's struggles highlight the barriers Black entrepreneurs face in securing capital, emphasizing the need for supportive funding sources for BIPOC farmers.
Despite being qualified and experienced, Woodward encountered dismissal from traditional investors, showcasing the racial biases inflating perceptions of leadership within the industry.
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