Meet Kandace Sanders | Serial Entrepreneur and Founder of the Black Women’s Equal Pay Network or B.W.E.P. Network

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kandace Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kandace, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from the one and only Harlem, NYC! Growing up in New York, many things are instilled in you at such a young age. You adjust to the hustle and bustle of the city and learn how to carve out your space on the side walk. You find independence by taking public transportation on your own as an adolescent. You learn to negotiate with the deli owners and street vendors for a better deal. Most importantly, you learn how to grow tough skin as jaded New Yorkers aren’t always the most pleasant to be around.

Ultimately, growing up in NYC taught me how to be a hustler, navigating my professional journey like I would the streets of Harlem. Combining my hustler spirit with my ambitious nature has helped me to become the professional, entrepreneur, and founder I am today. Adjusting to the constant changes in our world and business, choosing independence as the common denominator for my career, and always negotiating partnerships and opportunities that match my worth and vision.

I also owe much credit to my mother for identifying my ambition at a young age and doing whatever she could to put me in academic programs, classes for the arts, mentorships, etc.; all while balancing single motherhood and 3 jobs. She made it look effortless!

What should our readers know about your business?
In 2021, I launched the Black Women’s Equal Pay Network, a non-profit organization helping women of color narrow the pay and professional opportunity gap. My mission in launching this organization was not only to shed a light on the pay disparities of women of color, but to provide the financial, educational, and professional resources necessary to help women of color not only reduce these significant disparities but to increase their opportunities in the industries of their choice. We provide members of our network and other individuals from marginalized and lower-income communities dedicated resources, events, and programs that contribute to their success on their journey in business or entrepreneurship.

With my upbringing, I’ve always been able to find equitable opportunities and build a progressive career regardless of the inequities that existed for me as a WOC from a low-income community. It brings me so much pride to deliver my own knowledge, resources, and efforts to my peers and community, ultimately helping us all “get ahead”.

As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve held many titles and launched many businesses, but I’ve never been as passionate about those projects as I am with my organization. The journey for equal pay is one that is personal to me as a Black woman. My own experience being underpaid and overlooked served as the catalyst for launching the organization and is a constant reminder to never stop fighting.

On the business end, I’ve already learned so many lessons running a non-profit organization. Firstly, it’s a lot of work! I can’t emphasize the importance of staying organized and setting your goals for the day, week, month, and year. Secondly, do not underestimate the power of networking, it’s opened so many doors and opportunities for me. Thirdly, be kind to yourself. There are so many times I get down on myself for not having everything together the way I envisioned but then I wake up to floods of emails and comments from people supporting my efforts and seeking partnerships. As an entrepreneur, you’re not going to have everything figured out, but the important thing is to keep putting in the work, it will definitely pay off!

The biggest takeaway I want people to know about me is I genuinely care about my mission, and I work my ass off to fulfill it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Harlem is such a colorful place, especially in the summer! If we spent the day, we’d brunch at one of my favorite spots, Ricardo’s Steakhouse, then we’d walk westward towards 125TH Street, passing through the pond at Central Park.

We’d walk up Lenox avenue, historically considered the heart of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance, soaking up the art and creativity displayed on the stoops of the brownstones that line the avenue. We’d cut to 7th avenue and walk up until we can hear the sounds of the Marcus Garvey Park drummers playing in front of the Harlem State building on 125TH Street. We’d spend some time browsing the shops, chat with local staples of the community, and get icees from the sweet Spanish lady in front of McDonalds.

Later that night we’d don our Friday’s best and grab drinks at Corner Social followed by dancing at Angel’s. We’d pick up some late night eats at Jimbo’s burgers on Amsterdam avenue and spend the rest of the night on the Harlem pier recapping our night and turning up with my fellow harlemites. A vibe!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my mother for raising me to be the woman I am today. None of my success would be possible without her. Georgette, you are a Queen!!

If I’m able to shout out a few more:

My best friend Damila, thank you for being my person. Thank you for always being there for me and understanding my vision. You are the first person I call for everything, but especially as it pertains to my business. I don’t know how I’d do it all without you.

My brother in kind, Jag. Thank you for seeing something special in me and connecting us. You root for me more than people who have known me my whole life and I can’t tell you how invaluable your support is to me. Thank you for always speaking life and encouragement into me. I can not wait to plants some roots in ATL with you. Next stop, the world!

Website: www.bwepnetwork.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwepnetwork/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandacesanders/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomensequalpaynetwork

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSAXO35N1BZSg38FAdyWWg

Other: Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.juju.guru/

Image Credits
Damila Figueroa Tremaine George