Community Highlights: Meet Ali Bennett of Grassroots Giving

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Bennett

Ali, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
While working for a large company, I found it difficult to find opportunities for growth and support. After some unexpected complications after giving birth to my daughter in 2022, I requested a work accommodation from my place of employment so that I could continue to work while also ensuring the health and safety of my newborn. A few weeks after I was granted my work accommodation my supervisor notified me that my position was being eliminated, and I was laid off. At the time I was devastated. I had worked for that company for almost 5 years and believed it would be my forever work home. I was disappointed by the lack of compassion and support I received during such a traumatic time in my life.

With a newborn and 3 other children at home, I knew not working was not an option. So, I started looking into starting my own business to have the flexibility to take time off when I needed to support my family. As I explored starting my own business, I realized I lacked the skills and resources needed to succeed. I was fortunate enough to have mentors and connections who not only showed me compassion but also helped me brainstorm ideas for how to grow my business. These connections pushed me to expand my business knowledge and most importantly helped me build my confidence.

Having so many supportive people in my corner made me realize that many people, especially from marginalized communities, don’t have the same safety I was experiencing. This inspired me to create Grassroots Giving, to provide others with the connections and resources they need to be successful.

As I started to develop my business idea, I continued to connect with business owners across the city who had encountered similar challenges and had a diverse set of skills that I was still working to acquire. As a business directory, my first challenge was figuring out a way to build a website. Through a networking event, I met Nyshell Lawrence owner of Socialight Society. She loved my idea of building a directory so that we could more easily identify where our businesses were out in the community. We continued to keep in contact after that event and she became a huge resource and a dear friend. She offered to help me build my website and host my first event to launch the directory.

My next challenge was planning and funding the event. I had met Ashlee Willis, owner of Michigan Premier Events at a few networking events I had attended and was immediately drawn to her kind spirit. We scheduled coffee one day and as I shared my story and my vision of what I was building she offered to sponsor my first event. I was shocked by the offer but gratefully accepted.

My last challenge was getting people to show up. I had never hosted an event and was terrified that nobody would show up. My dear friend and mentor Jazmin Anderson Director of Equitable Economic Development at LEAP dropped some gems on how to market my event and build brand visibility.

In February of 2024 I officially launched my business at the beautiful Socialight Society. At that first event we had over 80 black business professionals show up. From that day on I knew the space I was creating was something that people in the Lansing area needed. We have since hosted 5 black business mixers where black business professionals can come together to network and gain the skills and connections they need to help their business thrive.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To my surprise, it has been a pretty smooth road. I am a person who suffers from anxiety. When I have an idea my mind tends to tell me it’s impossible and I won’t be able to overcome the barriers to bring my idea to life. But my experience in building this business has taught me that I am really my biggest challenge. When I doubt myself and refuse to ask for help is when I face my biggest challenges. Bus as soon as I reach out to my community I always receive an overwhelming response of people looking out for my best interest and wanting to help me conquer any challenges I am facing.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Grassroots Giving is a Black Business Directory and Resource Hub. We aim to create a vibrant network where Black business professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders, connect through collaborative opportunities, mentorship, and shared success.
Essentially, we are looking to build an empathetic and compassionate community where everyone intentionally supports and shows up for one another.

I enjoy looking at things through a trauma-informed lens and investigating the root cause of problems. While reflecting on my own barriers I realized that economic opportunities and lack of peer connection were really the root cause of all of my problems. When we come from economically disadvantaged homes, we often don’t have the luxury of being kind to each other. Every day is a fight to survive, and it causes us to isolate ourselves and always be fearful that we will lose the little bit that we do have.

But I believe that if we can overcome the fear of losing what we currently have and build meaningful relationships with others we end up creating a safety net for ourselves. We find that when we lose something someone is right behind us filling the gap. And that is the beauty of community. When we all care for each other we all win.

As the owner of Grassroots Giving I am willing to admit that I don’t always have the answers. But what I do have is a platform where people can feel safe asking for help. And we do our very best to connect business professionals to the answers they are seeking.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to find a mentor. A mentor is more than just someone who gives you advice, they also build credibility behind your name in rooms you do not yet have access to.

Pricing:

• Business directory listing $25/ mo
• Black Business Mixers- Free/ donations always accepted
• Black Business Mixers- Seeking Sponsors

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.grassrootsgivinglansing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grassrootsgiving_lansing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61555572680231
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-bennett-drake-27a49375