Profile
Black + Forth is a Washington, DC-based community development and entrepreneurship platform that combines cultural impact, economic empowerment, and innovative space design to support Black-owned businesses throughout the DMV region. Founded by Angel Gregorio, the organization operates as the city’s first Black-owned strip mall and serves as a hub for small business incubation, education, and community collaboration.
At the center of the Black + Forth concept is the creative use of repurposed shipping containers and adaptive commercial spaces that provide affordable storefront opportunities for entrepreneurs, makers, food vendors, and community organizations. The container-inspired development model reflects a modern, flexible approach to urban revitalization while creating highly visible, accessible spaces for Black-owned businesses to grow and connect with the community.
The organization’s mission extends beyond retail and entrepreneurship. Through its nonprofit arm, Dream Incubator Inc., Black + Forth offers free business education, scholarships, mentorship programs, farmers markets, and strategic partnerships focused on economic mobility and neighborhood investment across the DC area. Community outreach initiatives include collaborations with local government agencies, grassroots organizations, and business leaders to provide licensing assistance, workforce development, and entrepreneurial resources to underserved communities.
Angel Gregorio’s leadership and “each one, teach one” philosophy have helped position Black + Forth as more than a commercial development—it is a community-centered movement focused on ownership, collaboration, and long-term economic sustainability for Black entrepreneurs throughout Washington, DC and the surrounding region.
