The Problem

The people of Savannah do not have a centric hub that promotes diverse collaboration, interconnection, and experiences that help them thrive personally, professionally, or socially. As a result, many young professionals, creators, and freelancers relocate to cities that fully embrace their unique culture or perspective. It is our mission to provide an inclusive and innovative space that unites a union of diverse people who are eager to be their best selves, live their best lives, and thrive.

The Solution

The Culturist Union (TCU) is a private-membership hub and digital platform centered around the social, professional and economic empowerment of professionals, entrepreneurs, and creators.

What We Offer 

The Culturist Union is a modern space for work and play located in downtown Savannah.

Why The Culturist Union?

Esteemed Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C.J. Walker became the first black millionairess in America by creating and selling a successful line of hair care products. In 1917, Walker hosted her first Annual Convention called ‘The Madam C. J. Walker Hair Culturists Union of America’. More than 200 ‘hair culturists’ attended the convention to learn about sales, marketing, and management. She advocated for these entrepreneurs to use their influence and financial independence to affect social and political change in their communities. 

In Madam C.J. Walker’s community building spirit: We  would like to create a safe space where individuals of all merits can come together to create, cultivate, and collaborate with one another. We look forward to the unions that we will make, the bonds with we will build, and the connections we will foster in the present and future.

Our Space

• Open Lux seating 

• Marketplace where members can sell their product or service to the local community

• Cafe that serves a fresh rotating selection of food and beverages

• Fully outfitted conference room with access to computers, printer, fax, copier, high- speed Wi-Fi and outlets

• Concierge services designed to give you back your free time

• Unique and empowering workshops, programming, and events across a variety of topics all meant to uplift, support, and broaden our members’ experience. We will work with organizations, groups and companies that share our ethos.

At the center of our business is a 10-for-1 grant model offering TCU membership to people in the community who meet specific socioeconomic needs, creating a truly diverse and inclusive environment. For every ten Founding Memberships purchased, TCU will fund one Annual Membership. These grants will be based upon application submissions.

Why Crowdfunding?

We explored many different paths to funding The Culturist Union including traditional funding from Venture Capitalists, investors, and banks. Because less than 1% of American Venture Capital-backed founders are black and only 2.2% female entrepreneurs receive a tiny fraction of all venture capital funding we decided that at the end of the day those options don’t reflect our mission to build a space for the community by the community. When the community benefits we all benefit. We believe so much in the power of TCU  that we decided to turn to iFundWomen, a female-centric crowdfunding platform to help us secure funds. These funds will be used to build out our physical space and mobile application. Join the Union. We can’t wait to take up space with you.

Our Founders

The Culturist Union was founded by two United States Air Force Veterans, serial entrepreneurs, and former corporate and non-profit professionals who met in 2013 while stationed together in Misawa, Japan. While their professional careers after the military put them on separate paths, they decided to come together to create a thriving hub to help diverse, innovative, and creative professionals feel seen+ heard+ celebrated.