Why MCWEN?
What if it wasn't business as usual? What if it was also about purpose, legacy and community? What if you could escape the hustle hamster wheel, and build something sustainable that makes a lasting impact? Now, you can!
Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (MCWEN) is a thriving community for women who have an interest in entrepreneurship and business ownership. Using the Proverbs 31 woman as a model, MCWEN seeks to support women to become impactful and positively influential women in their homes, community, and work.
We recognize that culture is shifting and women of color are now the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs, but the women in the MCWEN community do not just want to do business as usual. They are seeking ways to incorporate their values and faith, and believe that business is also about their purpose.
Whether you are starting something new or scaling up, MCWEN provides resources to help you at any stage through our local meet-ups, business workshops, pitch competition, annual conference, downloadable materials and so much more.
Why "Minority"?
We frequently get asked the question, "why minority?" There are several layers to our response, but we like to highlight the following reasons:
1. Language is Fluid
History suggests that for various reasons, the meanings and general feelings associated with certain words will change every few decades. For us, "minority" is a term of racial, cultural, and ethnic solidarity. Some choose to identify as Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC), but in conversations with members in our community we have found that many choose to reject that label because of the use of the word “color” and its association to “colored,” which is no longer socially acceptable. There is also the fact POC is a large umbrella term; some say it does not really capture the experiences of different groups, especially Black women, within that large umbrella.
2. The Data
Currently, people of color are the global majority. However, in the United States (our central operating location), people of color are still the “minority” as a quantitative metric, not qualitative. This is projected to change by 2045 with POC becoming about 50.3% of the population. However, again, because language is fluid, there may be another term for solidarity by 2045. For now, the data does support POC as the minority.
Specifically in business, there are glaring disparities in inclusion and resource accessibility/allocation. From the funding (investments, federal & public dollars and loans) statistics, to the seats at the metaphorical table, POC are still only getting a minority share.
3. Focus on Representation
We find that those who take issue with our stance on representation, diversity, and inclusion, don’t tend to be as vocal in majority spaces that could use their voice. Some feel emboldened to challenge minority groups as divisive, but struggle with accountability in faith spaces that are actually implicitly divisive with the lack of inclusion and representation. From leadership make-up, representation in marketing and programming, to targeted dollars for culturally-engaging activities, there is a pervasive lack of awareness and focus on bridging the gap. We believe that when we boldly call these issues out by name, there may be discomfort, but there will also be accountability and freedom.
4. What the Bible Says
The bible is clear about how God feels about racial and cultural diversity and inclusion. Besides the fact that each life was worthy enough for Christ to die for, when we look at scriptures like
Revelations 7:9-10,
1 Corinthians 12:12-30,
James 2:1-26,
Colossians 3:11, and
Revelations 14:6, we see that diversity and inclusion is an important part of our kingdom experience. The goal is not to create a post-racial Christian experience, but one that celebrates God in diverse ways.
For those who identify as women of color, we hope some of this resonates with you, and that MCWEN can become a safe space for conversation and support. For those who do not identify as women of color, we hope this sheds some light on our reasoning and begins a productive conversation on allyship and growth.
About the Founder
Andrena Sawyer is an author, consultant and ministry founder whose history includes surviving the civil war in Sierra Leone. Her authenticity and battle-tested principles inspire audiences to embrace their past, own their present and maximize their future. She is the Founder of MCWEN, and the President of P.E.R.K. Consulting, an advisory firm for small to mid-sized nonprofits and businesses.
Originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone, she and her family moved to the United States when she was nine years old due to a civil war that left thousands dead and untold numbers maimed and displaced. She now credits her family's move during the war for her interest in community building, human triumph and perseverance. She has since actively worked to mobilize and empower others.
A true entrepreneur at heart, she founded her first organization at age 15—Triple “T” MAD (Teens Trying to Make a Difference), a community service organization for teens in central New Jersey. As a student at Howard University, she continued to cultivate her interest in community development by founding Rock, the MIC—an annual outreach for youth in the DC area. These early experiences laid a firm foundation that continues to define her work.
For her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she has received numerous awards including The Black Business Review’s 40 Under 40, The International Alliance for Women World of Difference 100 Award, the Women Owned Small Business Award by the Associated Black Charities, and the Hope for Africa Leadership in Community Development Award.
In addition to her work with entrepreneurs and nonprofits, she is the author of The Misadventures of a New Entrepreneur: 5 Things They Won’t Teach You in Business School, The Other Side of Assertiveness, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Long Way Home. However, her greatest interest and passion is seeing women restored by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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