OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - — "When Facebook called me I thought it was like spam, I was like hold up," Ashlei Spivey said.
But the call from the social media giant was real.
"It just was so surreal like I never thought that this movement, that this idea that started literally with a Facebook post about just being surrounded by black women would turn into this amazing movement and collective," Spivey said.
Ashlei Spivey's nonprofit, I Be Black Girl, has become a thought-leader in the community.
It's providing a space for black women and girls, and inspiriting them to create their own businesses.
The organization's work got the attention of Facebook.
"Facebook recently announced that they raised $2 billion from their fundraising platforms, so we were one of 8 organizations that were chosen across the world to come and talk about how do we use social media (the Facebook fundraising platform) in order to advance our mission and our work," Spivey said.
I Be Black Girl raised nearly $50,000 through its giving circle in 2018.
It granted out more than $36,000 to 6 organizations led by black women and girls.
"It was affirming that out of all of the millions of people that are doing Facebook fundraisers, or that are leading community movements, that we were chosen to be in this space," Spivey said.
Spivey tells us she's excited to see where I Be Black Girl can take her community in the next few years.
"We're looking at how can we make everyday black women philanthropists," she said. "How do we help them invest in their community that is meaningful and create that impact."
She has some advice for those looking to create their own space.
"Understand your influence and what value you can add," Spivey said. "And if you can understand that and agree to those then you can do whatever you want to do, so don't be fearful."
I Be Black Girl is hosting its business forum and pitch contest in November in Omaha.
The nonprofit will invest $8,000 ($4,00 each) into one black woman run business, as well as one black girl run business.
You can learn more about I Be Black Girl at, https://www.ibbgomaha.com/
