Heirloom (Noun);
Something of special value handed down from one generation to another.
About The Heirloom Network
, Heirloom Network was created to support women entrepreneurs and creatives at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re just starting with a side hustle, growing into a more established business, or already scaling a mature company, this network is designed to meet you where you are. Anchored by the legacy of Durham’s Black Wall Street, our mission is to create a supportive ecosystem where women have access to the knowledge, tools, and community needed to grow and scale.
With our holistic model, we honor the whole woman behind the business pairing practical guidance with personal wellness, advising, and intentional spaces for connection. Through monthly gatherings, curated resources, and a community that understands the cultural realities of women in business, we help our members build not only profitable companies but also sustainable lives.
The Heirloom Network is a continuation of a legacy of ownership, innovation, and resilience.
About The Heirloom Network
The Heirloom Network honors the women who helped build Durham’s Black Wall Street and supports the women building what comes next.
Inspired by leaders like Viola Turner, whose financial stewardship at North Carolina Mutual helped shape one of the most powerful Black-owned institutions in the country, the Network exists as both tribute and continuation.
We support Black women entrepreneurs and creatives at every stage. From early ideas to established ventures by offering access to knowledge, mentorship, and community. Anchored the NC Mutual Tower, our work is rooted in legacy and focused on scale.
Our approach is holistic by design. Through monthly gatherings, curated resources, and intentional spaces for connection, we pair practical business guidance with care for the whole woman supporting not only what she builds, but how she sustains herself while building it.
The Heirloom Network is a living inheritance carrying forward a tradition of ownership, resilience, and collective growth.
Meet Viola.
Financial Vice President
Viola Turner went from Macon, Georgia to the boardroom of NC Mutual Life Insurance, becoming the company’s first woman financial vice president. A Morris Brown College graduate, left a legacy that transformed American finance. Turner retired in 1965 after reshaping what was possible for Black women in leadership & finance.
As an Heirloom, she reminds that:
Our success is not individual. It is collective. It is generational. It is an heirloom passed down, waiting to be honored.
Meet Viola.
Financial Vice President
Viola Turner (1900–1988) journeyed from Macon, Georgia to the boardroom of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance, becoming the company’s financial vice president. A graduate of Morris Brown College, she built a multimillion-dollar investment portfolio and helped shape the financial foundation of Black Durham.
Turner retired in 1965, having redefined what was possible for Black women in finance. Her vision, discipline, and authority inspired the creation of The Heirloom Network.
As an heirloom, her legacy reminds us:
Our success is not individual.
It is collective.
It is generational.
It is an inheritance. Waiting to be honored.
You Belong Here If…
- You’re an entrepreneur building with purpose, seeking support beyond traditional mentorship, and committed to creating impact that extends past individual success.
- You’re a patient, strategic leader willing to invest in growth, viewing business as a nurturing process that values community wisdom and long-term vision.
- You’re a first-gen business owner, social entrepreneur, or founder in tech, wellness, education, or community services – driving impact and navigating systemic barriers with intentional support.
Industry Leaders. Your Advisors.
Your
Membership
Membership Includes
Limited scholarships available at time of purchase.- Unlimited (24/7) access to Provident1898
- Customized Abaca Capital Matching Assessments
- One-on-one personalized sessions with Heirloom Advisors
- Access to Monthly Connection Events
TheWELL Circle
At the heart of wellbeing lies connection, community, and courage. That’s why we’re proud to partner with TheWELL to introduce TheWELL Circle, a transformative space designed exclusively for women of color, especially Black women.
What is TheWELL Circle?
TheWELL Circle is a movement. Rooted in love, courage, clarity, and presence, it provides a supportive and courageous space for us to prioritize our well-being and thrive.
Through monthly facilitated group coaching sessions, open dialogue, and shared experiences, TheWELL Circle empowers participants to nurture their personal and collective wellness. Guided by holistic wellness practices, we address the physical, emotional, and mental dimensions of health, cultivating resilience and balance in every aspect of life.
Your Coaches
Margaret Brunson
Principal Thought Leader
A leadership scholar-practitioner with two decades of experience in leading people and transforming systems. As a transformative leader, thought partner, and consultant, Margaret specializes in guiding individuals, organizations, and corporations through meaningful change by crafting holistic leadership frameworks and fostering practices that cultivate healthy organizational cultures and drive successful outcomes.
Adrienne Simmons
Professional Life Coach
With over 20 years in the Navy Nurse Corps, she’s honed her skills in patient care and leadership. Now, as a certified Life Coach, she’s here to guide you through life’s transitions and challenges. Feeling overwhelmed, sad, or alone? Confused about your goals and next steps? Uncertain about the future? Adrienne works with you to unlock your potential and create a life you love.
Our 2025 cohort has closed for TheWELL but you can still join us for or monthly connection events!
Upcoming Events
Right Place, Right Time.
The moments that matter are waiting for you. Join us at our upcoming events and make lasting connections.
The Legacy of Black Wall Street: Viola Turner
What happens when women enter boardrooms? They help to build billion dollar businesses.
Join The Provident1898 Heirloom Network and Rho Chapter, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. for an afternoon exploring this truth through the life and legacy of Viola Turner. As NC Mutual’s first female board member, Turner helped build their investment portfolio and transformed what leadership looked like at the largest Black insurance firm in America.
This special event honors Turner’s brilliance while celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Rho Chapter, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., which she helped charter right here in Durham. Together, we’ll explore how Turner and other remarkable women from M&F Bank, Mutual Community Savings, NCCU, and Lincoln Hospital propelled Black Wall Street forward through ingenuity and intentional purpose and how their legacy continues to inspire today’s business leaders.
Our Supporters
