Upcoming Events

Join Us in NJ for the Future of Investing and Leadership

Unlock the power of capital and influence at Capital & Influence: A Forum on Angel Investing and Boardroom Power, happening on Thursday, July 17 at 6:00 PM in Florham Park, NJ. This high-impact event brings together bold thinkers, angel investors, and visionary leaders ready to shape the future of finance and governance. Learn how to master the art of deal-making, navigate boardroom dynamics, and amplify your strategic voice where it matters most. Whether you're raising capital, investing in the next big idea, or leading from the boardroom, this is your moment to connect, learn, and lead.

Taste the Future: Explore Local Food Innovation with IFEL & Investors Circle

Join IFEL and Investors Circle for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes site visit featuring dynamic food entrepreneurs who are reshaping the local food landscape in Northern New Jersey. This small-group experience includes private tours, founder Q&As, and conversations on how capital can drive food innovation.

Event Details:

• 📅 Friday, July 25

• 🕘 Meet-up Options:

  • 9:45 AM at World Trade Center PATH Station

  • 10:15 AM at Grove PATH Station

• 📍 Locations: Jersey City & Kearny, NJ

• 💬 Featuring:

  • Aficionado – culturally curated vending

  • Fabalish – plant-based CPG

  • Hudson Kitchen – shared kitchen & entrepreneurship hub

• 🍽 Optional group lunch available for purchase

• 🎟 Invite-only | RSVP required

• 💵 Free for Investors Circle & IFEL members

• 💳 Suggested $35 minimum for non-members

Don’t miss this hands-on opportunity to connect with great local entrepreneurs and explore how strategic investment can support local food innovation.

From Earning to Owning:
Join the Making of Latine Angels Live

Join us for a free virtual event, the Making of Latine Angels Live Training, a session focused on teaching you how to create personal and generational wealth while shaping the economic future of our community. This is where you learn to wield the power of your purse.
In this live, interactive training, you will discover:

• Wealth Creation through Angel Investing: Learn the fundamentals of how to make your money work for you in one of the most powerful asset classes.
• The Power of the Purse: Understand how strategically investing your capital not only builds your net worth but also dictates which businesses thrive and which ideas get funded.
• Your Action Plan: Get a clear roadmap to begin your journey as an investor, from evaluating opportunities to making your first investment.

• When: Tuesday, July 28, 2025
• Time: 6:30 PM (EDT)
• Where: Virtual (A link will be sent upon registration)

This is your opportunity to take control and learn how to fund the future you want to see.

IFEL In The Ecosystem

Breaking Barriers in Birmingham:
A New Era of Angel Investors

Our President of Capital Access, Stephanie Fowler, partnered with Malone Unlimited and Measured Capital to launch the inaugural Class of the South in Birmingham, Alabama. This group of 10 will complete Pipeline Angels' Signature Angel Investor Training and collectively invest in a Southeast-based company. Special thanks to gener8tor, Halogen Ventures, and Tessa Commercial for co-sponsoring the Investing in Women Tech breakfast!

Why a Class of the South, you might ask? Because capital access shouldn't be limited to the coasts. Pipeline Angels is working to grow local angel networks in overlooked regions—starting in Birmingham.

Are you a woman or non-binary individual in Alabama interested in angel investing?

Join our Open House or Apply now to be part of the next Class of the South. 

Know, Like, Trust - Jill Johnson on Inclusive Angel Investing

Know > Like > Trust – Jill Johnson, CEO of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), sat down with AngelFamilia to unpack the power of relationship-driven investing—and why it matters now more than ever. A trailblazer in inclusive angel investing, Jill highlights how the “know-like-trust” trifecta fosters more equitable capital access for historically excluded founders. She urges angel investors to widen their circles, build genuine connections, and back founders not just with money, but with expertise and mentorship—especially in today’s tightening markets.

Building Connections at the Essence Festival

Jill Johnson was selected to attend Venture Voir, a curated experience that is part of the StartUp Noir NOLA program of Greater New Orleans, Inc. designed to spotlight the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans. Through site visits, storytelling, and direct engagement with local founders, Jill and the other participants gained a deeper understanding of the region’s potential. She re-connected with long time partners and met new ones. Jill was also invited to give comments as part of New Voices programming at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans—a vibrant celebration of Black culture, music, entrepreneurship, and community. Jill connected with fellow innovators and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future, and explored opportunities to further amplify our mission of creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Taking Action

Help Just Her Rideshare Cross the Finish Line

Just Her Rideshare is on the brink of unlocking the next round of funding — but we need your help to cross the $50,000 threshold. Until we hit that goal, none of the funds raised so far can be disbursed.

This isn’t just a rideshare company — it’s a movement to create a safer, more empowering transportation option for women and underserved communities. With 150%+ growth and thousands of rides completed, the momentum is real.

Any amount of investment makes a difference. Learn more about this opportunity to support a founder in the IFEL community.

Fueling Growth Through Collaboration

We're still buzzing from our recent collaboration event with Caliber! Our business support team brought together 12 incredible business owners, and Caliber truly stepped up, providing 37 volunteer experts. That's 49 people all in one place, busy as bees, making connections and fostering growth! The energy in the room was palpable, and we're thrilled with the success of this event. Check out the video to relive some of the highlights and see the magic in action!

Step Up for Texas: Support Hill Country Flood Relief Today

The July 4 floods left parts of the Texas Hill Country devastated, with communities in urgent need of support. Whether through a donation to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund or by supporting local supply drives, every action helps families rebuild and recover. This is a moment for all of us to come together and show what community means.

Shout Outs

Meet Our New Board Members

We’re proud to welcome three exceptional leaders to our Board of Directors:

✨ Amicah Bullen , Executive Director at Mizuho
✨ Vivek Mago, Head of Technology at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
✨ Nadja Webb, Executive Vice President of Programming & Business Operations at BET Networks

Their experience and leadership bring valuable perspective to our mission, and we look forward to the impact we’ll make together.

40 Dreams Catering Hosts ZingTrain in NJ including Three IFEL Business Owners

Corrected article to include all four participants

A long-time member of the IFEL community, Adrienne Fudge, CEO of 40 Dreams Catering, brought ZingTrain expert trainers to NJ for an unforgettable day of learning. IFEL sponsored three business owners to participate through our ZingTrain Fellowship program, which is generously supported by individual donors.

The IFEL ZingTrain Fellows expect to see immediate impact:

• Dominique Anderson, Amazing Strides: “measurable improvement”

• Andrea Harvey, Dre’s Beauty Supply: “improved leadership”

• Dominique Young, TheCoderSchool: a “more welcoming culture; increased accountability”

• Stacey Cabell of Starstuff Travel, LLC also joined the training and left energized to apply what she learned to strengthen her growing business.

We are so proud to support their journey to strong leadership and business growth! Thank you to the donors who have funded this program and made this kind of transformative experience possible.

Keep Learning

Did you know...

July 4 marks Independence Day in the United States, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It's a time to reflect on the nation's founding ideals—freedom, equality, and democracy—and how we continue to strive toward making those ideals a reality for all 🇺🇸.

July is also Black Family Month, a time to celebrate the strength, connection, and cultural legacy within Black families and communities. It’s an opportunity to uplift unity, support, and the powerful bonds that shape generations.

Additionally, July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, bringing attention to the unique mental health challenges faced by underrepresented communities. Promoting access to culturally responsive care and reducing stigma are vital steps toward wellness and equity.

July is packed with many meaningful and fun observances, including:

• Canada Day (July 1) 🇨🇦

• National Fried Chicken Day (July 6) 

• National Ice Cream Day (3rd Sunday in July) 

• World Chocolate Day (July 7)

• National Disability Independence Day (July 26) 

• World Nature Conservation Day (July 28) 

From food holidays to moments of social reflection, July offers many ways to connect, give back, and celebrate. Read more>>.

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