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Check out The State of Black Business, our new report with 12 unique insights on Black-owned businesses. Despite challenges, Black entrepreneurship is growing. We want to support Black businessowners this National Small Business Month in May and onward. https://lnkd.in/dr-xUG4c

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 55% of new businesses survive beyond the first 5 years. For Black women entrepreneurs — merely 3% survive longer than 5 years, due to the struggles of bootstrapping and achieving profitability. When I was a banker in Global Corporate & Investment Banking — structuring multi-billion dollar loans for tech companies — I never once worked on a deal team alongside another Black woman. Nor did I ever have the opportunity to fund a Black-owned businesses. The knowledge wasn’t making it to my community; neither were the funds. As I marched alongside brilliant grassroots activists, community mobilizers, and visionaries of Oakland during social justice protests of 2020, I was overcome by the immense level of brilliance that moved through the very streets of Black communities — despite little to no financial cultivation. I left corporate to take my knowledge to the streets. The more I engage with + study the experiences of Black women entrepreneurs on the climb, the more emboldened I am to dismantle barriers in #thefirstfiveyears. If you’re a Black woman entrepreneur, I invite you to join Blaze Group’s CashFlow Convos™️ event happening August 29th at 6p CT. Register at blazegroupllc.com/events

Supporting black-owned businesses is an impactful way to contribute to economic empowerment and promote diversity and inclusion. Here are several ways you can support black-owned businesses:⁣ ⁣ 1. **Buy from Black-Owned Businesses**: Make a conscious effort to seek out and purchase products or services from black-owned businesses. This could include shopping at local black-owned stores, ordering from black-owned online retailers, or frequenting black-owned restaurants and cafes.⁣ ⁣ 2. **Spread the Word**: Use your platform to promote black-owned businesses to your friends, family, and social media followers. Share their websites, social media profiles, and positive experiences to help increase their visibility and customer base.⁣ ⁣ 3. **Attend Events and Workshops**: Support black entrepreneurs by attending their events, workshops, and pop-up shops. Not only does this provide direct support, but it also allows you to engage with the community and learn more about their products and services.⁣ ⁣ 4. **Collaborate and Partner**: Look for opportunities to collaborate or partner with black-owned businesses on projects, events, or initiatives. By working together, you can leverage each other's strengths and expand your reach to new audiences.⁣ ⁣ 5. **Provide Mentorship and Resources**: Offer your expertise, mentorship, or resources to support black entrepreneurs in building and growing their businesses. Whether it's providing guidance on marketing strategies, connecting them with industry contacts, or offering financial support, your assistance can make a significant difference.⁣ ⁣ 6. **Advocate for Inclusivity**: Advocate for inclusivity and diversity in your workplace, community, and industry. Encourage businesses and organizations to prioritize supporting black-owned businesses in their procurement processes, supplier networks, and partnerships.⁣ ⁣ 7. **Educate Yourself**: Take the time to educate yourself about the challenges and opportunities facing black-owned businesses. Learn about the history of black entrepreneurship, current economic disparities, and ways to advocate for change.⁣ ⁣ Remember that supporting black-owned businesses is not just about making individual purchases—it's about fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and economic empowerment. By actively supporting black entrepreneurs, you can help create a more equitable and vibrant business ecosystem for everyone.⁣

Supporting black-owned businesses is an impactful way to contribute to economic empowerment and promote diversity and inclusion. Here are several ways you can support black-owned businesses:⁣ ⁣ 1. **Buy from Black-Owned Businesses**: Make a conscious effort to seek out and purchase products or services from black-owned businesses. This could include shopping at local black-owned stores, ordering from black-owned online retailers, or frequenting black-owned restaurants and cafes.⁣ ⁣ 2. **Spread the Word**: Use your platform to promote black-owned businesses to your friends, family, and social media followers. Share their websites, social media profiles, and positive experiences to help increase their visibility and customer base.⁣ ⁣ 3. **Attend Events and Workshops**: Support black entrepreneurs by attending their events, workshops, and pop-up shops. Not only does this provide direct support, but it also allows you to engage with the community and learn more about their products and services.⁣ ⁣ 4. **Collaborate and Partner**: Look for opportunities to collaborate or partner with black-owned businesses on projects, events, or initiatives. By working together, you can leverage each other's strengths and expand your reach to new audiences.⁣ ⁣ 5. **Provide Mentorship and Resources**: Offer your expertise, mentorship, or resources to support black entrepreneurs in building and growing their businesses. Whether it's providing guidance on marketing strategies, connecting them with industry contacts, or offering financial support, your assistance can make a significant difference.⁣ ⁣ 6. **Advocate for Inclusivity**: Advocate for inclusivity and diversity in your workplace, community, and industry. Encourage businesses and organizations to prioritize supporting black-owned businesses in their procurement processes, supplier networks, and partnerships.⁣ ⁣ 7. **Educate Yourself**: Take the time to educate yourself about the challenges and opportunities facing black-owned businesses. Learn about the history of black entrepreneurship, current economic disparities, and ways to advocate for change.⁣ ⁣ Remember that supporting black-owned businesses is not just about making individual purchases—it's about fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and economic empowerment. By actively supporting black entrepreneurs, you can help create a more equitable and vibrant business ecosystem for everyone.⁣

Did you know businesses owned by Black women grew by 50% from 2014 to 2019? According to a 2021 study by J.P. Morgan, Black women have been the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the U.S. They account for 42% of all women who opened a new business from 2014-2019. Black women-owned businesses significantly contribute to the economic development of the Black community and Black women are blazing the trail in business and entrepreneurship. Yet, the journey does come with significant challenges in accessing capital and resources. We are passionate and committed to empowering Black-Owned Businesses through our various programs: 🔹 Make Every Day Black Friday: Our economic empowerment movement and multi-platform awareness initiative, which encourages all Americans interested in racial equity and economic justice to take action to close the wealth gap between Black Americans and other Americans. 🔹 Village Black Pages: The critical resource Americans can rely on to locate Black-owned businesses to support when responding to our charge to Make Every Friday, Black Friday! All Black-owned businesses are listed for FREE in the Village Black Pages! 🔹 Village Empowerment Network: Access to online, on-demand and in-person trainings and workshops designed to ensure that entrepreneurs and individuals can learn and access the information they need at their own pace to build generational wealth. .......and many more. Join us as we support Black women entrepreneurs. Tag the Black Woman-Owned Businesses you know in the comments. Learn more about how we empower the Black community on our website: https://lnkd.in/eE4tSSeN Julia Savage Jonathan Pueschel #CommunityEmpowerment #BlackEmpowerment #BuildingGenerationalWealth #SupportBlackBusinesses #CommunityConnections #ProfessionalDevelopment #BuyBlack #ShopBlack #Entrepreneurship #EmpowertheVillage #VillageBlackPages #MakeEveryFridayBlackFriday #ItTakesAVillage #BuildGenerationalWealth #AdvancingBlackPathways

Inside the Black business boom that’s reshaping America’s economic landscape. By Shaundell Newsome. Fortune CLICK TO LEARN MORE https://bit.ly/4eJ2vBf #blackbusinessmonth

What does it mean to be a boss? Answer: A LOT. In an age where highlight reels have replaced the hard knocks of life, we’re taking an opportunity this #WomensHistoryMonth to give you the real on what it means to be a Black woman bossing up. Black Woman Owned and CNK Daily are teaming up with Blaze Group to tap into the real data and give you a glimpse at what Black women entrepreneurs are facing as they build big businesses. From a data set collected from 110 Black women-identifying entrepreneurs, the 2023 State of Black Women-Owned Business Report® compiled by Blaze Group, is a real look at what it takes to be a Black woman building from the ground up. Every day this month, we’ll be spitting facts and sharing stories from our own entrepreneurial journeys.  The goal here is simple: share resources, links, data, and insights so that we can create equitable solutions in this lifetime. Download the full research report at blazegroup.io/research.

In the US, August is Black Business Month! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 2.58 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. These businesses generate $150 billion in annual revenue and provide employment for 3.56 million people. But despite their contributions, Black-owned businesses face significant challenges, including lower access to capital and funding. (In fact, research by the ASAE Foundation found that Black entrepreneurs are 3x more likely to have their loan applications rejected compared to white entrepreneurs.) August is the perfect time to show your support. Whether it’s through purchasing products and services, investing in their growth, or promoting them within your network, your efforts can make a difference. Need help finding Black-owned businesses? Let's make it happen! Leave a comment below with the type of business or service your organization needs, and Black business owners, respond if you or someone in your network fits the bill! Black-owned businesses create jobs, foster economic growth, and empower communities. Your investment can make a significant impact! #BlackBusinessMonth #Entrepreneurship #Diversity

▪ In Recognition of Black Business Month at Access Mode! Did you know as of 2019, Black business owners own 3.5 million businesses and employ more than 1.2 million people? Growth in the Black owned business sector represents an annual increase of over 7% in people employed by Black entrepreneurs (U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, 2024). ➕ With ongoing support, Black entrepreneurs have the potential to significantly increase their contribution to the U.S. economy. These businesses, currently employing more than 1.2 million people, drive innovation, create jobs, and foster community development. Their growth will further strengthen the economic fabric of our nation. 🫱🏾🫲🏼 Let's all continue to create pathways for success and support Black-owned businesses in every way we can! ❓How can we, as a community, further support the growth and success of Black-owned businesses? #BlackBusinessMonth #BlackEntrepreneurs #DiversityInBusiness #AccessMode #SupportBlackBusinesses

Between 2019 and 2023, mostly due to black entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses across all sectors rose almost 2x the rate of men-owned businesses. This is according to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report. And while the report highlights multiple triumphs for Black women entrepreneurs, it also points out a barrier that they face to achieve future success: Black women-owned borrowers have fewer financial resources to rely on. Learn more about the report: https://lnkd.in/e77d8B9r