Derrick Braziel

  • MORTAR

  • Co-Founded with Allen Woods

  • 2017 Black Male Achievement Fellow

Derrick Braziel
  • MORTAR

  • Co-Founded with Allen Woods

  • 2017 Black Male Achievement Fellow

bold idea

Create thriving, economically diverse communities by enabling under-represented, minority entrepreneurs to access the tools and resources needed to start and scale their own businesses.

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

Derrick Braziel is a creative entrepreneur who is committed to the idea that all it takes to change the world is, “a dollar and a dream.” He serves as a co-founder and Managing Director of MORTAR, an organization dedicated to enabling under-represented entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses. His work has led to recognition from the Indianapolis Star, YES! Magazine, Next City, Politico and NBC Nightly News. He has been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for Social Entrepreneurs and “One to Watch” by Cincinnati Magazine. He’s a member of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change Class 11 as well as a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) Fellow. He is the proud of son of two first-generation college graduates, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University.

  • 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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