Nostalgic Summers
July 23, 2026
THE EMERALD CITY
With only 7% of its population being Black, you might not expect The Emerald City to be an ideal place for Black entrepreneurs to thrive. While Seattle’s Black community may be small, it is mighty, putting the city on the list as one of the top cities for Black businesses, having over 1000 of them! Even more impressive, statewide, nearly 90% of businesses opened in Washington are still in operation a year after opening.
You can look to the Central District as proof. The Central District has been Seattle’s epicenter of Black culture for over 100 years. While not all establishments that start in the “Coffee Capital of the World” remain open, many new businesses continue to keep the district percolating while combating gentrification and cultivating culture.
Since 2022, Black Dot has partnered with our team to present the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy, our 15-week cohort-based program for local entrepreneurs. This curriculum was designed for those who are ready to start or scale their enterprises, adding to the local economy and the continued legacy of Black-Owned businesses in Seattle, Washington.
To apply for the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy program in Seattle, please click APPLY NOW at the top of this page.
our
academy
The MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy is a fifteen-week course designed for those who are starting or growing their businesses. It will challenge you. It will inspire you. It will force you to confront your limitations and help you identify and develop your strengths. You will be exposed to new information and you will be reminded of what you already know. You will be asked to work hard inside and outside of class. You will be asked to think abstractly; to imagine something that does not yet exist. You will be asked to think concretely; to work with data and information and to make decisions about your business. But most of all, you will be asked to make some REAL decisions. If at any point you decide that this entrepreneurial journey isn’t for you—come and talk to us. Chances are we can talk you off of the ledge;, but if you choose to walk away, understand that everything you’ve learned will still help you on your journey to wherever you’re headed.
our
academy
The MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy is a fifteen-week course designed for those who are starting or growing their businesses. It will challenge you. It will inspire you. It will force you to confront your limitations and help you identify and develop your strengths. You will be exposed to new information and you will be reminded of what you already know. You will be asked to work hard inside and outside of class. You will be asked to think abstractly; to imagine something that does not yet exist. You will be asked to think concretely; to work with data and information and to make decisions about your business. But most of all, you will be asked to make some REAL decisions. If at any point you decide that this entrepreneurial journey isn’t for you—come and talk to us. Chances are we can talk you off of the ledge;, but if you choose to walk away, understand that everything you’ve learned will still help you on your journey to wherever you’re headed.
program
FLOW
Before taking flight, even before stepping onto the plane, a pilot consults her preflight checklist. This is to ensure that when she’s soaring 30,000 feet above the clouds, nothing surprises her, nothing throws her off her course. Read below to get a taste of a typical class and the week-by-week outline.
ELEMENTS OF A MORTAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY SESSION
MEETS WEEKLY FOR THREE HOURS
‘PUTTING IN WORK’ OUTSIDE OF CLASS
GUEST SPEAKERS
WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH MENTORS
ACTIVITIES
VIDEOS
REFLECTION
CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND LEARNING FROM FAILURE
WEEK BY WEEK
ORIENTATION:
Get your books, meet your facilitators, connect with your peers in the cohort, and familiarize yourself with the structure and expectations for the upcoming classes.
WEEKS 1-4 : FOUNDATIONS
The first part of the MASTERS curriculum focuses on setting a strong foundation for you as an entrepreneur, helping you understand yourself, your current situation, and your readiness to pursue your business goals.
WEEKS 5-8 : THE CORE
We delve into the essential technical aspects of launching or expanding a business, focusing on what we call The CORE - This phase explores key business fundamentals: Branding and Networking, Sales and Distribution, Competitive Analysis, Cost Structure, and Storytelling.
WEEKS 9-11 : REALLY REAL
Learn how to apply what has been learned in this course to real-life situations.
WEEKS 11-15 : BEYOND MORTAR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACADEMY
Exploring life beyond this course. Embracing the art of storytelling, crafting compelling pitches, and forging ahead with goal-setting and planning for the future.
© 2022 All Rights Reserved