A DIFFerent
Black Impact
Experience

Empowering Aspiring Black Visionaries to Develop Their World DIFFerently

We solve deep-seated historical knowledge and wealth gap issues caused by centuries of global Black economic oppression. Our trailblazing programs empower the next generation of Black visionary leaders to prioritize historically and globally conscious entrepreneurship and philanthropy that foster sustainable personal, generational and communal wealth.

Impact Experience

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Quarterly Impact Reports

Q1 2024

DIFFvelopment is Making History: Black History Month Edition Awareness: Action-Oriented Economic Re-Education that Prioritizes the Black Experience DIFFvelopment’s First-Ever…

Q2 2023

Awareness: Action-Oriented Economic Re-Education that Prioritizes the Black Experience Black Generational Wealth Program at Ramapo College On March 9,…

Q1 2023

Awareness: Action-Oriented Economic Re-Education that Prioritizes the Black Experience Internship On June 5th, we will deliver our seventh Consultrepreneurship…

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Marlon’s Experience

Empowered to live authentically

Marlon Gustavo Bernardez, 2017 Consultrepreneur, hails from Honduras by way of Bronx, NYC. When he participated in our program he was a student at Bronx Community College. Marlon entered the program with a deep desire to be part of a community of Black mentors, peers and intellectuals who could genuinely commit to supporting him on his journey of self-actualization. As a result of the program, he made major life changes, including leaving the Bronx and moving to an environment that he felt was more conducive to his new worldview, positively redirecting his higher education, career and personal development paths. His ultimate goal is to pursue a career in supply chain management and entrepreneurial activities that prioritize supporting key Black philanthropic entities.

Imani’s Experience

Forever changed and empowered

Imani Nalasha Burnett, Senegalese and African American, 2017 Consultrepreneur, joined our program as a rising sophomore at SUNY New Paltz from Bronx, NYC. At the time, Imani was well aware that there was much more for her to learn about herself, the Black community and post college opportunities than she had been exposed to. The program opened her up to an entirely different way of thinking, leading her to become an iconic Black student group leader, a source of inspiration for her family and a fearless graduate who is committed to developing authentic spaces for herself, both through her own entrepreneurial endeavors and within the traditional workforce.

Hannah’s Experience

Awakened to life’s higher purpose

Hannah Aliya Lemmons joined the DIFFvelopment family in 2018 through the Consultrepreneurship from Harvard University by way of Denver, Colorado. After a difficult semester that led her to question her life’s purpose, Hannah entered the program with little faith in her ability to become the successful human being she had always hoped to be. During the 10 weeks of the program, she challenged herself to overcome a number of obstacles and successfully completed her objectives. Now approaching life from a space of appreciation for its higher purpose, Hannah creates music and unique fundraising experiences that fund social justice movements and inspire her to continue adding more incredible accomplishments to her life’s resume.

Anthony’s Experience

Priceless self-actualization and community

Anthony Reid is a Jamaican American, 2019 Consultrepreneur, who joined the DIFFvelopment family while attending SUNY New Paltz by way of Brooklyn, NYC. Anthony’s ability to powerfully articulate his program experience far outweighs any summary we could ever provide, so we reiterate his sentiments here. When asked how the program impacted him, he responded with the following: “It has been a journey of awakening, a journey of self-realization, a journey of creating unity and understanding what unity is. I feel like the experience that I have gained here is unquantifiable, it’s priceless, [it goes] beyond the practicality of learning entrepreneurial practices and learning about your past and your history…The psychological effect of being in a space like this, where you are surrounded by other Black visionaries–young Black visionaries–who are passionate, who are driven, open minded, loving, caring; I have never experienced anything like that. I feel a connection to this program that I have never felt with any other organization or any other program that I have been involved with. I honestly feel like this program has probably changed my life–my young 19-year-old life.

Bria’s Experience

Confident in self and the future

Bria Johnson, Jamaican and African American, 2020 Consultrepreneur, joined the DIFFvelopment family from Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia by way of Montclair, NJ. When she entered the program, she was nervous about her ability to confidently express herself in large groups and unsure of the best way to expand her existing fashion business. Through one-on-one general and business concept supervisory sessions, Bria conquered some major fears and identified which area of her business she was most passionate about further developing. Her journey of growth speaks to our program’s focus on empowering Black college students to overcome barriers and pursue their wildest and most meaningful dreams.

Dasia’s Experience

Inspired to take action

After participating in our Black Generational Wealth Program, Dasia Miles-Langaigne participated in our 2019 Consultrepreneurship, where she built the business she is now successfully growing as part of her life’s work post graduation from UMass Boston. Her sentiments regarding the empowering nature of our culturally specific education speaks to our belief that young Black people are more likely to reach their full potential when they can see themselves in the information and people educating them.

Ronny’s Experience

Equipped to build a legacy

Ronny Onano’s Black Generational Wealth Program experience speaks directly to our belief in the enduring power in the transfer of knowledge. Though one may not know exactly what their wealth-building journey will look like in the long run, once they are made aware of the steps involved in pursuing it, the rest is history. Ronny’s enthusiastic recount of all the information he learned about building a legacy and the realities around the employment challenges Black people face after college, reminds us that once we become aware of important information, we cannot unlearn it. This is why it is so important for us to continue exposing aspiring Black visionaries to the past and present realities impacting their futures and what they can do to ensure that they are prepared to overcome every obstacle that may come their way.

Ciara’s Experience

Empowered to spread the wealth

Ciara Mendez’s reflections on the Black Generational Wealth Program illustrate how quickly the spirit of collectively can be adopted when Black people have the opportunity to learn about important matters impacting their futures from and alongside those who share their experiences. Year after year, we see alumni from our programs develop their own unique versions of our programming to share with their peers. The infectious nature of our wealth-building curriculum leaves aspiring Black visionaries inspired to get started on investing in their legacy and that of others who look like them right away, making our vision a reality.

Dominique’s Experience

Invaluable business development services

Dominique Turner, like many young Black entrepreneurs, found herself alone in the process of trying to determine how best to expand and sustain her business. The need to speak and brainstorm with others is key to every business owner’s growth and survival. However, many bootstrapped entrepreneurs cannot afford to pay for the ongoing mentorship and business development support they need. This is why we provide aspiring Black visionaries with comprehensive bespoke business concept development services for free, in exchange for their commitment to ensuring their business gives back to a notable element of the global Black community.

Jacob’s Experience

Empowered to spread the wealth

When Jacob Nyamu connected with DIFFvelopment, he, like so many young Black people approaching graduation, was filled with uncertainty about the future. As an international student from Kenya, East Africa, Jacob worried most about how to assert his identity within the workplace and beyond. Through general life skills building, he is discovering the power in his unique identity and embracing all the different ways that it can be leveraged to develop the life he wants, alongside those who can connect with and value all that he has to offer.

Danieltta’s Experience

Equipped to build a legacy

Danieltta Pantoe is an amazing young lady who hails from Liberia, West Africa by way of Philadelphia, PA. When DIFFvelopment connected with her, she was approaching graduation from Penn State University. Through our IG Live #DIFFCollegeSummitSeries and Alternative Career Services Coaching program, we have had the opportunity to help her think through her first job’s benefits package, student and personal loan repayment, entrepreneurship and so much more. Our work of helping young Black aspiring visionaries like Danieltta transition into the real world, from an informed Black perspective, empowers the next generation to overcome socioeconomic barriers and build generational wealth that enables them to develop their world differently.