Black Women Entrepreneurs: Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies

October is National Women's Small Business Month, and we’re taking a moment to put some serious respect on the names of the Black women entrepreneurs out here doing the absolute most. Whether you’re running a full-fledged empire from your living room or making big moves in the boardroom, we know the journey hasn’t been easy. But trust—you're not just surviving; you're thriving. This one’s for you, for the culture, for the community, and for every little Black girl watching you dream, hustle, and shine.

1. The Rise of Black Women Entrepreneurs: From the Kitchen to the Corner Office

Talk about glow-up! Black women are building businesses at rates that would make anyone clutch their pearls. Between 2014 and 2019, Black women-owned businesses grew by 50%, outpacing every other demographic. In fact, Black women now own 42% of all businesses started by women in the U.S. and are creating jobs, wealth, and opportunities like never before.

We’re talking everything from beauty and fashion to tech, health care, and finance. Sis is out here creating wealth, defining new markets, and proving that Black excellence is a force. We’re pushing culture forward, but let’s be real—we’ve always been innovators. Think Madam C.J. Walker—the original “self-made millionaire”—who turned her kitchen into a haircare empire. Today, Black women are still turning their homes, side hustles, and dreams into legacy-building enterprises.

2. Barriers? We Break Those.

Let’s get one thing straight: We’ve been breaking barriers—some of them glass, some of them brick walls. From access to capital to facing racism and sexism on the regular, Black women entrepreneurs are navigating a system that wasn’t designed for us. But guess what? We’re still winning.

The biggest hurdle? Access to funding. Black women face systemic disparities when it comes to business financing. For example, less than 1% of venture capital funding goes to Black women entrepreneurs. And when it comes to traditional bank loans, we’re approved at lower rates and for smaller amounts than our counterparts. But instead of letting that stop us, we innovate. We crowdfund, we bootstrap, we side hustle till our side hustle becomes the main hustle. It’s the resilience for me.

But the game is changing. With movements like #BuyBlack and Black-owned business directories popping up across the web, people are waking up to the brilliance and buying power of Black women entrepreneurs. According to the 2021 American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses report, the number of Black women-owned businesses grew by 21% between 2019 and 2021, compared to just 9% for all women-owned businesses. We are the culture, and it’s time the world invested in us like we invest in ourselves.

3. Success Stories: They Did It, So Can You!

Let’s talk Pinky Cole—the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger joint with a whole lot of personality. What started as a food truck in Atlanta is now a multimillion-dollar empire with multiple locations and a cult following. Pinky took her love for good food, wrapped it in bold branding, and flipped the narrative on what a “vegan” business can be. Now, she’s not just feeding the people; she’s building wealth, creating jobs, and empowering the community—talk about eating good while doing good!

Then there’s Apryl Beverly, who recently became a tech founder with her new AI-driven platform, AiPro: Pitch. Respond. Offer. Known for her work as a high-performing copywriter, Apryl took her talents and transitioned into tech—developing a solution that helps businesses craft irresistible pitches, responses, and offers using artificial intelligence. Black women in tech? We love to see it. Apryl’s journey shows that we’re not just making waves in beauty and fashion, but we’re breaking into tech, making it ours, and thriving.

And here’s the kicker: They’re not the only ones out here making waves. As of 2019, there were over 2.7 million Black women-owned businesses in the U.S.—representing a massive contribution to the economy. For every story like Pinky and Apryl, there are thousands more sisters grinding, hustling, and building their dreams right now. Whether you’re making magic with your hands, running a consultancy, or launching a tech start-up—you are the future of entrepreneurship. And sis, it looks good on you.

4. The Power of Community: We Rise Together

Black women supporting Black women? That’s a whole movement. We’ve always known the power of community—from kitchen table talks to book clubs, we build each other up. The same goes for business. Organizations like Black Women Talk Tech, Walker’s Legacy, and iFundWomen of Color aren’t just resources; they’re lifelines for those of us navigating the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.

It’s about putting each other on, sharing knowledge, pooling resources, and giving that “you got this, sis” pep talk when things get tough. According to a Harvard Business Review report, Black women who have access to mentorship and peer support are 3 times more likely to succeed in business than those who don’t. Because, honestly, who else is going to understand our grind like we do? When one of us wins, we all win.

5. The Digital Age: Where Black Girl Magic Meets E-Commerce

Here’s a pro-tip: If you’re not using the internet to push your brand, you’re leaving money on the table. E-commerce platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and even Instagram have become the new Main Street, where Black women can sell to the world with just a click. And the best part? We’ve mastered this game.

Check this out: Black women entrepreneurs dominate in the beauty industry, particularly in e-commerce. In fact, Black consumers make up nearly 90% of the ethnic beauty market in the U.S., and a lot of that spending is directed toward Black-owned businesses online. We have the tools to build global brands from our phones. That’s a flex.

6. Looking to the Future: Building Generational Wealth

Sis, let’s talk legacy. We’re not just here to make quick money; we’re here to build wealth that lasts. Our businesses are the foundation of financial independence for ourselves and future generations. Black women entrepreneurs are paving the way, creating not only personal wealth but opportunities for the entire community.

The truth is we’ve always been leaders—nurturers, creators, visionaries. The future is about channeling that energy into spaces where we haven’t always been welcome. It’s about demanding seats at the table—or better yet, building our own table. According to McKinsey, if Black women received funding and resources equal to their counterparts, we could add $280 billion to the economy by 2025. That’s the power we hold.

Conclusion: Shine On, Sis

This National Women's Small Business Month, let’s take a minute to recognize that Black women entrepreneurs are more than just business owners. We are trailblazers, boundary-pushers, and legacy-builders. The journey is far from easy, but the reward? Oh, it’s sweet.

So, to all the Black women out there grinding, creating, and thriving in the face of every obstacle—this is your moment. Keep doing it for the culture, for the community, and most importantly, for yourself. The world isn’t just watching; it’s taking notes. Keep breaking those barriers, sis—your legacy is in the making.