As CEO of The State of Black Arizona, Teniqua Broughton has generated a space to empower and promote partnerships among Black businesses throughout the state. She has also provided resources to help Arizona’s Black businesses succeed and thrive, and partnered with March of Dimes to advance Black maternal and infant health in Arizona. Broughton also serves as CEO of VerveSimone Consulting in Phoenix.
Can you tell us about the mission of The State of Black Arizona?
The mission of The State of Black Arizona is to advocate, educate and empower the voices of African Americans throughout the state of Arizona, focusing on physical and mental health and wellbeing. As a leader in the production, synthesis and socialization of actionable data and insights for all Arizonans, with a primary focus on the Black community, the organization strives to address the significant disparities in various areas, including education, economic mobility, infrastructure and health.
What are some of the ways you empower and promote partnerships among Black businesses in Arizona?
The State of Black Arizona empowers and promotes public and private partnerships among Black businesses through a comprehensive report covering key data points related to Black entrepreneurship rates, access to capital and undercapitalization. This snapshot of Arizona’s African American population’s contributions to the local economy sheds light on challenges and opportunities for expanding the presence of Black businesses. Action steps have been taken throughout the year, and progress will be shared, emphasizing the importance of understanding the current economic landscape for Black Arizonans.
Can you highlight a success story that has resulted from your initiatives?
Our State of Black Business Reports in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, released over the past three years, have sparked transformative actions and success stories in Arizona. These reports, revealing gaps and opportunities, prompted leaders and organizations to invest intentionally in political, social and business capital. The community’s proactive response has significantly advanced our goal of building a robust Black business ecosystem. Initiatives like the Black Philanthropy Initiative Social Justice Project, our Black Business Database and partnership with Blax Friday, ASU Educational Outreach and Student Services’ Black Changemaker Series, City of Tempe BIPOC Manufacturing Program, Millionaire Mastermind Academy’s IMPACT AZ 2025, National Coalition for 100 Black Women’s Young Entrepreneurs Pitch Perfect events, Foresight Foundation’s REACH II program, and Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Black Women Business Owners grant supported by Wells Fargo highlight the positive impact of our reports.
What accomplishment are you most proud of as CEO of The State of Black Arizona?
As CEO this year, I take immense pride in achieving historic milestones that have set the stage for impactful growth. Doubling our budget to over $600,000, we not only reached but surpassed the significant $500,000 milestone for the first time. Our commitment to amplifying Black voices through innovative approaches has fostered heightened awareness and understanding of their experiences. Additionally, the accelerated development of the Arizona Black Business Database will provide crucial visibility and access for Black entrepreneurs statewide. As part of our dedication to operational excellence, we’ve laid the groundwork for efficiency improvements that will further elevate our organizational impact.
In 2023, you launched the Black Maternal Infant Health in Arizona awareness campaign and led two cohorts of the African American Leadership Institute in Phoenix Metropolitan and Southern Arizona. How do you measure their success?
In 2023, the success of our initiatives launched is measured by the community impact. For the African American Leadership Institute (AALI), success is measured through enhanced leadership skills, expanded perspectives and active community engagement by the graduates. The Black Maternal Infant Health campaign focuses on raising awareness, improving understanding, and increasing access to culturally tailored care. We utilize the March of Dimes- Mom and Baby Action Network framework, aiming to dismantle racism, address unequal treatment and enhance healthcare access. Our goal is to enact positive change through strategic action, innovation, and policy improvements in Black Maternal and Infant Health in Arizona. Our Maternal Health campaign is just getting started so look out for more in 2024.
What areas will you be focusing on in 2024?
Looking ahead to 2024, the overarching theme is “Expansion.” Our strategic focus involves building key partnerships in Southern Arizona, expanding current initiatives and amplifying our impact. Capacity building is a priority, with plans to welcome new team members, ensuring a stronger collective influence. Accelerating the development of localized data collection will deepen our insights into the communities we serve. Engaging AALI alumni is a dedicated strategy, fostering partnerships that provide ongoing leadership opportunities. Additionally, we’re forecasting efforts for Southwestern regional expansion of the State of Black affiliates organizational model, aiming to broaden our influence and enhance our overall impact.
