Photo by: Tanisha Pinex (CCC member and Owner of Prolific Visuals)
When Starla Kay Mathis and Lateva Woolfork connected for the first time, it was through a simple greeting on Instagram. That small act of saying “hello” has since blossomed into something much more significant—a dynamic partnership dedicated to elevating Black, women-owned businesses. Their venture, Create. Connect. Collab. (CCC), has become a powerful hybrid community designed to offer professional development, connectivity, and accountability to help women entrepreneurs achieve their personal and business aspirations through programming, business development, and community—and equity is at the heart of their mission.
Women on a Mission
“We built Create. Connect. Collab. as an epicenter for intentional connections and intentional community—those are core to our mission,” Mathis shared. “Through this network, we’re able to come alongside women and help propel them toward business ownership through accessible opportunities for advancement. The power is truly in the network.”
At Create. Connect. Collab., every interaction begins with a simple yet profound question: “How can we support you?” We extend this question to both our members and our partners, recognizing it as a gateway to innovative ideas, impactful connections, and fruitful collaborations. By fostering an environment of openness and trust through this question, we create a safe space for vulnerability and growth. In doing so, we harness the spirit of Indy, a city known for its strong relationships, to drive progress and achieve collective success.In addition to our ongoing commitment to support, we have launched The Create. Connect. Collab. Foundation to further our community efforts and provide an additional vehicle for giving and partnership for our members and sponsors.
“Black businesses are critical to the local, national, and global economy,” explained Woolfork. “Healthy communities require successful Black-owned businesses, and in order to be successful, Black entrepreneurs must have access to knowledge, tools, and resources to launch, grow, and scale their businesses while providing for themselves and their families.”
Black Business Month
This is why Black Business Month is critical, serving as a necessary reminder of the importance of supporting minority-owned businesses as a means to create ripples of impact that start right here in Central Indiana.
“Black Business Month allows us to shine a light on those who may not have the resources to promote themselves,” said Mathis. “It also serves as a reminder for local companies that as they create, connect, and collaborate, they can be intentional about who they’re partnering with to ensure diversity and inclusivity.”
Despite the challenges that Black women entrepreneurs often face, Starla and Lateva have built CCC into a thriving network offering its members access to Masterclasses, Masterminds, and private groups, all designed to foster personal and professional growth. Through partnerships with organizations like PitchFeast, PNC, IndyHub, and Maven Space, CCC has created a platform where meaningful conversations create understanding that moves problems into solutions.
Corporate Engagement
Beyond workshops and seminars, CCC is about creating lasting relationships between the cofounders, members, and community partners.
“Partnering with CCC is not just about meeting Starla and Lateva,” explained Woolfork. “Our true partners recognize that through this organization, they can connect with the 120 women behind us who are also part of this community. That’s one way that we’re committed to ensuring access, especially for our Black and Brown members who are often quickly excluded from opportunities.”
For companies hesitant to engage with Black-owned businesses, Starla offers simple advice: just say hello. “It all starts with a greeting,” she says. “Reach out with a DM, an email, or a phone call. We’re here, and we’re responsive. You don’t need to have everything figured out—just be vulnerable and open to learning with us.”
Intentionally Unstoppable 2024
One of the most powerful opportunities to support Black women entrepreneurs is through CCC’s annual event, Intentionally Unstoppable. Now in its sixth year, the event gathers women to build community, foster sisterhood, and develop actionable plans to remain unstoppable in all aspects of life. This year, Starla and Lateva have set a bold goal: they want 100 women in the room. To reach that goal, we are calling on BEI member companies to connect and become Unstoppable partners.
“If every BEI member purchased just one ticket to support a woman entrepreneur, we would exceed our goal,” says Woolfork. “This investment in Black and minority women doesn’t just support their business—this investment has the potential to drive innovation, economic impact, and vibrancy throughout our community.”
With Intentionally Unstoppable 2024 on the horizon, CCC invites business leaders to be part of this transformative experience. Beyond the event, CCC offers opportunities for businesses to connect with emerging women entrepreneurs, whether through sharing expertise at a Mastermind, connecting at networking events like Unstoppable Happy Hours, or through ongoing sponsorship and membership opportunities.
By simply saying hello and engaging with Black-owned businesses, companies across Central Indiana have the power to create meaningful change—change that reverberates through communities and drives economic growth. Join the movement to support equity and economic impact. Email Hello@createconnectcollab.com to explore your partnership, today.
Photo by: Tanisha Pinex (CCC member and Owner of Prolific Visuals)
