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Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Summer Spotlight on
This is the July 10th issue of the ForbesBLK newsletter, dedicated to elevating and empowering the world's top Black entrepreneurs, leaders and investors. Delivered every Thursday straight to your inbox, it's a must-read for those looking to stay inspired. Click here to get on the newsletter list! H ey ForbesBLK, Ayisha Mendez here. This month, we are highlighting someone who is redefining the concept of building intentional communities, promoting equity, and expanding opportunities for Black women. Kadeisha Placide, the founder of Women in Power Collective, is dedicated to creating spaces for transformation and healing. In June, Placide hosted the Run the World Summit , and skillfully combined culture, wellness, and purpose. The two-day event featured a range of experiences, including fitness and meditation sessions, curated cohort circles, a vibrant vendor marketplace, and interactive panels and workshops. ForbesBLK proudly collaborated on the summit's marketplace. Kadeisha Placide, Founder of Women in Power Collective Photo by Kadeisha Placide Speaking about the event, Candice Ramsey says, 'Visibility is critical for black businesses.' The experience felt like more than an opportunity; it felt like perfect alignment, adds Sasha Vasquez, founder of clothing platform Mintii. 'Representation is more than inclusion; it's infrastructure for equity,' Vasquez says. As we continue to spotlight purpose-driven entrepreneurs shaping culture and commerce this month—and every month— ForbesBLK remains committed to elevating the voices of our members, like Kadeisha Placide, and the communities she uplifts. Until next time, stay connected with me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
CBS News
04-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Summer camp hopes to give young Black entrepreneurs pathway into industry
Summer camp is not just for athletics and the arts. Some young entrepreneurs will be attending the first annual Youth Business Camp next week. African Americans make up 14% of the population in Minnesota but own only 2% of businesses. LeBrent Speed is on a mission to change that statistic. "We need to give people something they can support," said Speed, who founded the Better Black Business Project, or B3P. "B3 it is a professional network of Black entrepreneurs and those who support them. It's open to anyone, but our focus is how do we support Black entrepreneurs and close the wealth gap by empowering Black businesses," Speed said. With 120 members, the group of entrepreneurs is supporting one another with great success. But Speed had a larger vision. "I grew up in north Minneapolis and I thought man it would have been wonderful to have a business camp when other kids were going to basketball camps so that's spawn the idea,"Speed said. With his network of business owners, he organized a youth business camp to help empower future — and even current — young entrepreneurs. "We have over 15 presenters on a variety of subjects: credit, finances, real estate, trades but then we have another 15 to 20 volunteers who will just be there with them going through the courses with them, eating lunch and breakfast with them just hanging out sharing stories, information access and mentorship," Speed said. The camp is a game changer for attendee and business owner, Ella Beard. "I started my LLC at around 2020 when I was around 10 or 11 years old, so I've been painting for about 5 years now," said Beard, who owns Vibe Art. In those five years, Beard has grown her business by letting her talent speak for itself. "I do all types of paintings. I do a lot of realistic Black art, I do landscapes, trees, mountains, and just inspiring paintings," said Beard. "I have an online website which is I do sell my art there I also go to markets sometimes like winter festivals pop ups markets like Juneteenth or I usually go to Black Market Minneapolis." Now she hopes to take her business to the next level by attending the Youth Business Camp. "I'm hoping to learn about investment and just growing and putting back into my business and just grow it and being surrounded by encouraging people like youth entrepreneurs like me to just help grow me, Beard said. Speed says the speakers and mentors will shift mindsets, build character and prepare them to walk in purpose and power. "I want them to take away the hope knowing that they can do it it's hard to believe what you can't see," said Speed. For this young artist and business owner, the youth Summer Camp is a pathway to realizing her dreams. "My dreams are to get my art all around the world have it in famous people's houses, celebrities' houses and homes just to expand worldwide," Beard says. The Youth Business Camp will be held at Bethel University July 9 through July 11. There are still slots available as well as room for sponsors willing to help make sure every young person who wants to attend can. You can learn more at youth camp here.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
6 Economic Wins America Is Missing By Underinvesting In Black Entrepreneurs Across Major Cities: This Juneteenth & Beyond
As cities take on the challenge of reducing inequality, building stronger communities, driving ... More economic growth, and securing their future, closing the Black business gap should be a core part of the strategy. By investing in Black entrepreneurs, America doesn't just close racial equity gaps, it can generate massive economic opportunity across U.S. cities for residents. Juneteenth marks a moment to reflect not just on emancipation, but on the long-standing gaps in access to economic freedom and opportunity. Today, those barriers are clearly visible in how Black-owned businesses remain underfunded, underrepresented, blocked, and disconnected from the full promise of prosperity and the American dream despite contributing for generations to every engine that makes the nation run, from innovation to infrastructure, culture (including widely used language like AAVE) to commerce. According to a 2024 analysis and research by the Brookings Institution, if Black-owned businesses reached parity with the Black population in each U.S. metro area, the national economy would see millions of new jobs, billions in additional wages, and trillions in potential revenue. The data published is a compelling call to action for smarter economic policy: achieving equity in business ownership isn't just moral; it's a strategy for widespread growth. If local governments prioritized data-driven strategies to increase equity by expanding programs and resources that help more Black residents within their current populations become business owners, cities would gain more jobs, higher wages, stronger local economies, and billions in new revenue. Here are six clear economic wins the U.S. is missing by failing to equitably invest in Black entrepreneurship: 1. Job Creation at a Transformational Scale Cities like Detroit, New York, and Jackson show the power of equitable investment. In Detroit, for example, parity in Black-owned businesses could yield an estimated 466,000+ new jobs. In Jackson, the figure tops 388,000 new jobs. Across all major metros, Black businesses consistently show high job-generation potential when properly resourced. 2. Billions in Additional Wages for Local Economies If Black businesses in Los Angeles alone reached population parity, they would contribute $7.1 billion in new wages. In Memphis, parity could yield $4 billion; New York would gain $22.2 billion. That's real money reinvested into communities, fueling everything from better housing to healthcare, education, neighborhood development, and local business ecosystems that residents can enjoy. 3. Increased Revenue Power and Economic Multiplier Effects Across cities, many Black businesses often operate with fewer resources and are under-capitalized, yet still manage to outperform expectations and deliver real impact to the communities they serve. In Boston, parity could bring $12.9 billion in additional revenue. In Miami, $30.4 billion. Nationwide, the numbers are even more staggering. Closing the business equity gap would have an unprecedented and miraculous ripple effect that boosts GDP, generates tax revenue, and strengthens supply chains. Benefits can also extend beyond our borders, strengthening trade partnerships and indirectly supporting economies in other countries interconnected through global markets. 4. Smart Use of Economic Strengths & Talent in Emerging Metro Areas Places like Columbia, SC, and Virginia Beach, VA, with high Black populations but low representation in business ownership, are missing out. Columbia could gain 138,000+ jobs and over $13 billion in revenue. Virginia Beach would see $6.2 billion in additional revenue. That's untapped potential sitting in plain sight. 5. Reversing Generational Economic Disparities Black entrepreneurs often face systemic barriers to capital, credit, and mentorship, a direct legacy of discriminatory policy. Equitable investment in these businesses and the supporting policies still need to be built on frameworks that address long-standing structural barriers limiting American economic growth, along with tools to measure progress effectively. To date, such comprehensive frameworks and measurement tools have been largely absent, perpetuating missed opportunities, economic instability, and slowing progress toward equity. 6. Shared Prosperity for the Entire Nation Closing the Black business gap through smarter, tailored, and more specific economic policies doesn't just benefit Black communities. Every dollar in revenue, wages, or jobs created has a multiplier effect and is a net positive for both the local and American economy. Equitable entrepreneurship strengthens the middle class and brings more innovation, diversity, jobs, and educational opportunities to the industries and communities that need them most. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: A Juneteenth flag is raised during the Celebration of Juneteenth at the ... More African American Civil War Memorial event on Monday June 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) This Juneteenth, the social and economic case for equity remains undeniable. It's time to move beyond performative posts and cultural awareness toward meaningful action by advocating for policies and practices that close the wealth gap and drive economic revitalization with far-reaching benefits for all communities. Investing in Black entrepreneurs is not a niche cause; it is a smart, scalable economic strategy. As cities seek to address inequality, raise quality of life, stimulate growth, and future-proof their economies, closing the Black business gap must be central. This requires understanding the history of multi-generational Black America and building solutions that acknowledge and address these realities through new systems and processes. The data is clear, and the opportunity is real. This holiday and beyond, we have the chance to come together and build a future where equity and morality open the door to new opportunities.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Support Black Businesses! Chanté Griffin Releases Free ‘Buy Black' Financial Toolkit
To commemorate Juneteenth, award-winning journalist and author Chanté Griffin is nudging consumers to support Black businesses all year long and she's making it easy through her 'Buy Black' Financial Toolkit, a free, step-by-step guide to buying Black throughout the year. When Juneteenth originated in the 1860s, following the announcement of the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas, the celebration of freedom encompassed not only physical independence but also economic freedom for Black people. In the wake of recent attacks on DEI by the Trump administration, increased support for Black businesses is needed now, more than ever. According to a press release, Griffin's 'Buy Black' Financial Toolkit gives consumers a detailed guide on practical ways to buy from Black businesses every month of the year. A previous report by USA Today revealed Black Americans make up about 12.4% of the U.S. population. However, Black business owners only account for 2.4 percent of all employer-firm owners. Griffin's financial toolkit is a handy resource to combat these statistics and recent obstacles that Black entrepreneurs face following the Trump administration's orders to roll back DEI initiatives in January. 'The work of increasing economic justice and Black wealth is ours,' said Griffin. 'Buy Black' was created with the consumers in mind. It builds on the numerous organizations that have created 'Buy Black' guides throughout the years. The financial toolkit is organized each month by a theme and checklists of ways to support it. It includes streamlined purchasing options and strategies to support year-round. 'It's easy to order items from Amazon and to pick up hair products at the closest beauty supply store, but we must be intentional—and sometimes inconvenienced—for Black businesses to thrive,' said Griffin. Check out the monthly themes in Griffin's 'Buy Black' Financial Toolkit, starting this Juneteenth! June: Personal Care and Fitness July: Transportation, Travel, and Vacation August: Outdoor Recreation September: Education and Learning October: Groceries, Food and Restaurants November: Household Items December: Giving January: Housing and Home Improvement February: Health and Legal March: Spring Cleaning and Woman-Owned Businesses April: Financial Services and Investments May: Gifts Griffin cautioned that if consumers fail to support Black businesses today, they may not exist tomorrow. Subscribe to her newsletter and download the free toolkit, here. Looking for more on how to build a more equitable world? Order a copy of her book, 'Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself: A Guidebook to Closing the Space Between Us,' online. RELATED CONTENT: These Black-Owned Restaurant Concepts Are Thriving Right Now Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Hamilton non-profit marks 5 years of support for Black-owned businesses, hopes to make bigger impact
Social Sharing A non-profit organization that supports Black-owned businesses in the Hamilton area celebrates its fifth anniversary this week, and one of its leaders said the group wants to make an even bigger impact in Ontario and Canada. Ashleigh Montague, co-founder of Blk Owned, said while they started in Hamilton, where most of the businesses they support are located, they've also partnered with organizations in the Niagara Region. Montague said they are now ready to take Blk Owned even further. "When I think years from now I am seeing more of a national impact," Montague told CBC Hamilton. "Within the next three years, I see expanding geographically within Ontario, strengthening the reach that we have been able to foster over the last five years." Montague and her sisters — Alexandria Montague and Abygail Montague — co-founded Blk Owned on June 2, 2020 at a time when people around the world had taken to social media to post black squares after the resurgence of Black Lives Matter, and, specifically, the murder of George Floyd by white police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. Since then, the organization created an Instagram page to showcase Black-owned businesses, launched, and has hosted markets, events, and workshops along with a Black-owned business directory that highlights and showcases businesses to the community. In 2022, Blk Owned launched a trailblazer program to help young Black entrepreneurs gain fundamental skills to help improve their business. They've had three cohorts of participants since. In all, they've supported hundreds of Black entrepreneurs, Montague said. 'Entrepreneurship is really lonely' Blk Owned has received funding from Toronto Pearson airport's Uplift Fund, as well as the Hamilton Community Foundation, Montague said, which has allowed them to launch the community platform and a hybrid version of the trailblazer program. Montague said the trailblazer program runs over a two-month period with online and in-person components. At the end of each cohort, participants receive an award and networking opportunities with more established businesses, with the other participants and with facilitators, Montague said. The in-person segment has been held at Sheridan College the past two cohorts, she added. "Because of our expansion of our program... we've had people connecting with businesses from the Brampton region, the Scarborough region, all the way through to London," she said. "With our work with the Southwestern Ontario Black Business Network, we've been able to stretch our reach all the way to Windsor." Gugu Mpofu is the owner of Oaesis Within, an organic body care and wellness company. She told CBC Hamilton that she was one of the first participants in the trailblazer program, adding that "they've really helped propel my business." "They had mentors who were part of the Hamilton Business Centre and I ended up joining their startup company plus program where I got a grant of $5,000," Mpofu said. "I've always had the support of Blk Owned, whether it's just through their programming, through their vendor markets, through their networking events, and also through them recommending me into spaces where I was able to have wholesales," she added. Mpofu, who also serves as community relationships co-ordinator at Blk Owned, said the organization is more than a support system. "Entrepreneurship is really lonely, very scary, and starting my business, I was worried about being the only Black or racialized person in the room, and just having Blk Owned it's like somebody to lean on," she said. "I can always go back to them if I'm feeling like I need a resource or if I feel like I need to join a market or if I need to network with other people … and that's something that's very precious." Anniversary celebration on June 5 Matheus Brasileiro, the founder and owner of vegan Brazilian bakery Sau Bake in the Hamilton Farmers' Market, has been in business for more than two years — first in Toronto, and then Hamilton. They said they learned about Blk Owned through a friend and participated in the trailblazer program last year, adding that it was "very helpful." Brasileiro said the support Blk Owned provides to small businesses is like "having someone that gets your back and understands the struggle that you go through as a Black business and small business." "You can't run a small business without a community, without having support, and one of the big reasons that I [got] to where I am right now with my little shop … was knowing that I had Blk Owned [to support me]," Brasileiro added. To mark the fifth anniversary of Blk Owned, Montague said the organization will be hosting a community celebration on June 5 at CoMotion On King, the co-working space out of which staff work. Montague said part of the free event will be "taking a look back at the last five years, but also taking a moment to reflect on where we're going to be going, moving forward from here." Later in the summer, on July 13, they will also be hosting a fundraiser and awards gala, called the Garden Party at the Royal Botanical Gardens, where Blk Owned will be honouring seven business owners in the Hamilton community, Montague said.
