Who We Are: Rooted in Community Need. Grown in Collaboration.
Our Roots
Too many visionary groups were left behind by traditional funding and or agency development resources. We saw the gap—and stepped in.
Our Approach
Our approach offers direct support, program development, and capacity-building rooted in cultural relevance.
Our Mission
Agencies grow from idea to impact—equipped to secure funding, strengthen their structure, and serve more powerfully.
What We Do
Ukuaji exists to turn bold community visions into funded, sustainable realities. We do this by writing competitive grants for emerging agencies, surrounding founders with capacity-building support, and connecting them to a trusted network of partners and resources.
Together, these services help grassroots leaders move from idea to impact—faster and on stronger footing.
The Ukuaji Institute
The Ukuaji Leadership Institute is the engine behind The Ukuaji Initiative’s mission is to build capacity for grassroots organizations and aspiring business owners in Jefferson County. Led by Tarsha Semakula of the Buttafly Group... the Institute provides hands-on grant writing and infrastructure support to help early-stage, often BIPOC-led agencies create agency in the community, secure funding and scale their impact.
Instead of traditional training, Ukuaji offers direct, strategic development services—writing proposals, structuring programs, and guiding leaders through every step of their organizational growth.
Through small cohort-based Ukuaji Pods, participants receive peer support, tailored coaching, and connections to resources like fiscal sponsors, local government, and nonprofit networks. Success stories like The Braid School, which launched with Ukuaji’s support and now empowers young women through Afrocentric vocational training, reflect the Institute’s mission in action.
At its core, the Ukuaji Leadership Institute is about transforming visionary community ideas into sustainable, fundable realities—ensuring grassroots leaders have the tools, backing, and momentum to thrive.
Spotlight: The Braid School
A Graduate of the Ukuaji Leadership Institute
The Braid School is a recent example of an agency that benefited from the capacity building resources of the Ukuaji. Founded by Chyna Bradley through ETS Studios, this program empowers girls ages 10–18 with the cultivation of Afrocentric hair care skills, cultural pride, and entrepreneurial training.
With grant writing and support from Ukuaji, The Braid School launched a certified braid school that’s now served over 200 youth across Louisville and beyond. It’s more than a program — it’s a movement for self-expression, vocational empowerment, and Black beauty.
Past Ukuaji Institute Growth & Development Leadership Sessions
