Allen Woods

  • MORTAR

  • Co-Founded with Derrick Braziel

  • 2017 Black Male Achievement Fellow

Allen Woods
  • MORTAR

  • Co-Founded with Derrick Braziel

  • 2017 Black Male Achievement Fellow

bold idea

Economically strengthen marginalized communities throughout the U.S. by offering accessible entrepreneurship classes, pop up shop opportunities and mentorship to under-served adults and youth.

organization overview

Founded in May of 2014, MORTAR Cincinnati exists to build communities through entrepreneurship. MORTAR offers a 12-week business accelerator class, access to micro-loans through our Iron Chest Fund, as well as a revolving pop-up shop named Brick OTR. MORTAR works to ensure that all entrepreneurs and small businesses, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, or background, have an opportunity to participate in the rejuvenation of their community. As a result, MORTAR provides access to programming designed to lower barriers for under-represented entrepreneurs to compete and succeed in our 52 neighborhoods.

Personal Bio

Allen Woods is a devoted husband, father and entrepreneur – in that order. A lifelong Midwesterner, he’s never allowed the size of a city to place a limit on the size of his dreams.

Recognized as a 2016 Cincinnati Business Courier 40 under 40 Business Leader, 2017 John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Award and 2017 Echoing Green BMA Fellow, Woods is also a sought-after public speaker who recently shined on the TEDx stage. As a brand strategist and designer, Allen assisted directly in the growth of hundreds of small businesses and personal brands across the globe.

When Allen isn’t at MORTAR, he’s probably somewhere with his wife, Kyla, planning or recording the next episode of their brand new marriage podcast, Permanent Plus One.

  • Organization/Fellow Location ?

    Our most recent information as to where the Fellow primarily resides.

    Cincinnati, United States

  • Impact Location ?

    Countries or continents that were the primary focus of this Fellow’s work at the time of their Fellowship.

  • Organization Structure ?

    An organization can be structured as a nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid (a structure that incorporates both nonprofit and for-profit elements).

    Nonprofit

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