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, there is!
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 impact-ful and positively influential women in their homes, community, and at 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 don't just want to do business as usual. They're seeking ways in incorporate their values and faith, and believing that business is also about their purpose.
Whether you’re starting something new or scaling up, MCWEN provides resources to help you at any stage through our Local Meet-ups, Lunchtime Webinars, annual conference, downloadable materials and so much more.
Don't wait, join the fastest growing community for faith-based women entrepreneurs of color today!
about the founder
Andrena Sawyer 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.