The State of Black Business Ownership

Bek Sunuu

In a world where business is a driving force for economic growth, social change, and cultural influence, ownership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of individuals and communi:es. But who gets to own businesses, and how does that ownership impact wealth, opportunity, and societal power? For many Black communi:es around the world, un:l recently, ownership has been a de facto, if not literal, crime.

This article delves into the complexities of Black business ownership – from understanding what a business truly is, to exploring the obstacles and opportunities Black entrepreneurs face when launching and scaling businesses. We’ll also look at how Black ownership compares to other racial and ethnic groups, and the crucial role it plays in creating wealth, social progress, and stability for these communities.

With a focus on key barriers like access to capital, mentorship, and business networks, we’ll examine how initiatives like Orisuun are helping to break down these walls and pave the way for more Black business owners. Along the way, we’ll discuss the global landscape of Black business ownership, explore the industries where Black entrepreneurs are most underrepresented, and highlight the path forward for a more equitable and self-sufficient business ecosystem.

Let’s explore why Black ownership matters, and how breaking through these barriers can change the economic future for generations to come.

What is a business?

A business, in its purest sense, is not merely a tool for individual gain. It is a social technology – a construct designed to facilitate the creation and the exchange of value. This ‘value’ can take many forms: goods, services, knowledge, and even culture. The foundation of a business is a response to the essential need for humans to collaborate, trade, and build shared systems. At the heart of every business is the fundamental purpose: to translate human potential into shared benefit. This purpose is independent and exclusive of any economic system a business may exist in, as the need to create systems of cooperation for the common benefit exists intrinsically among any grouping of humans.

We’ve, as a society, harnessed this fundamental need and built structures and rules around it. These sets of rules, norms, and customs make up the various economic systems – each with their own level of effectiveness in supporting people’s fundamental need for work and trade. They are set up to influence behavior by dictating the allocation of yield and risks related to the business. The most prominent levers we have created to control for these allocations include ownership, liability, and governance.

Business Levers

Ownership: The ownership structure of a business determines who holds the legal rights to the company. It’s a lever that allow us to incentive business creation by rewarding those who do the work to create a business with profit as well as control of an entity that could grow in size and influence. Common types of ownership for a business: sole proprietorships, where one person has full control; partnerships, where two or more people share responsibility; and corporations, which can have thousands of shareholders.
Governance and Management: Governance refers to the frameworks and practices for business decision-making – a delicate balance between ownership autonomy and stakeholder collaboration. Mostly, governance for businesses falls to ownership and the government. For public companies, there’s the added requirements and restrictions from the exchange that host the company’s shares. *As an aside, there is room for progress and innovation in this area as the world continues to integrate and corporations grow ever larger and more influential – our current models don’t meet the demands of the modern world (some important stakeholders are left out of the decision-making process). * Effective governance ensures accountability and transparency within the company.
Liability and Attachment to Self: Importantly, we’ve answered the question of whether any one individual should be liable for damages resulting from a business’s activity. Liability refers the extent to which an owner is personally responsible for the business's debts and legal issues. For the most part, we allow liability risks for founders and owners to be limited to their financial interests in the legal entity that contains the business and thus we give the business separation from said owner. When no separate legal entity is there to serve that role, such as in case of a sole proprietorship or a partnership in some cases (depending on the jurisdiction), liability does attach to the owner of the business. This ability to limit such risks encourages business creation, while maintaining recourse for those injured by businesses and discouraging excessive risk-taking by the business owners. It incentivizes and encourages bigger swings (which can have bigger rewards); it encourages more potential entrepreneurs to participate in the starting of businesses who might have otherwise not done so.

The Scale of a Business

There isn’t a standardized approach to characterizing businesses by size. A large business in one region or country may be a small one in another – the same is true for industry and time period. However, businesses within the same region, industry, and time period can be compared to each other according to size. Typically, this is done by looking at the number of employees or a financial metric such as revenue or earnings. We do this as a shorthand for understanding businesses’ size-related unique challenges and opportunities. Small businesses often face challenges in accessing capital and scaling operations. Large businesses, on the other hand, may struggle with bureaucracy and maintaining a cohesive corporate culture as they grow. In between, an elaborate gradation of medium-sized businesses with characteristics like both large and small businesses exists.

Micro-businesses: Typically run by a single person or a very small team, micro businesses are o en referred to as "non-employer" companies. These businesses usually serve niche markets where they can offer unique products or services. Micro-business owners o en wear mul ple hats, handling everything from product development and marke ng to customer service and finances. The size of these businesses typically means they operate with minimal overhead and limited resources but also have flexibility and agility in adap ng to market changes. These businesses tend to be common in freelance work, small-scale e-commerce, and local services.
Small Businesses: Small businesses are usually owned by individuals or a small group of people and can range from family-owned shops to professional services firms. They have a local or regional customer base but can sometimes expand nationally or internationally. Small businesses tend to face challenges in scaling operations, attracting talent, and securing funding. However, with the right strategy, they can establish a strong market presence and carve out a defensible market share. Small businesses are a crucial part of the economy, providing a significant number of jobs and contributing to local communities.
Medium-sized Businesses: Medium-sized businesses fall between small and large businesses in terms of revenue, workforce, and market reach. They typically have already established a strong foothold in their respective industries and are looking to scale further. These businesses often have dedicated departments or teams, such as marketing, sales, HR, and operations, which allows them to streamline processes and develop more sophisticated strategies. Medium-sized businesses are at a critical juncture in their growth path, with opportunities for expansion and increased market share, but also the challenge of maintaining their agility while handling increased operational complexity. The right mix of innovation, strategic partnerships, and customer service can enable them to compete against larger players in the market.
Large Businesses: Large businesses are characterized by their substantial market share, strategically large workforce, and access to significant resources. These businesses tend to operate on a national or global scale, with operations spanning multiple regions or even countries. They often have complex structures, including numerous departments and divisions, and utilize advanced technologies to manage operations. Despite their size and financial power, large businesses face unique challenges, such as navigating complex regulations, managing public perception, and responding to competitive pressures from both traditional competitors and emerging disruptors. Public opinion, environmental concerns, and social responsibility also play major roles in their decision-making processes. Additionally, large businesses may experience slower decision-making processes due to the complexity of their organizational structure, but their scale allows them to leverage economies of scale and secure funding at favorable terms. The ability to innovate at scale and stay relevant in a rapidly changing market environment is crucial to their ongoing success.

The size of a business has a direct impact on how it operates and grows. Small businesses are often flexible but face challenges with capital, scaling, and resources. Mid-sized businesses are in growth mode but face competition from both smaller startups and larger, well-established corporations. Large corporations, while powerful, often struggle with bureaucracy and maintaining innovation.

The size of a business is not just a measure of its economic power—it is an indicator of its reach and influence. A small business may operate in a confined space, but it can be deeply connected to the community it serves. A large corporation, on the other hand, has the potential to affect entire societies and economies.

But in both cases, the business is an agent of social change. The more significant the business, the greater its capacity to shape the world around it. Small businesses may innovate within a specific context, while large corporations drive large-scale shifts in industries, economies, and cultural norms. Regardless of size, all businesses have the potential to contribute to the growth and evolution of society.

Public Private Dichotomy

A critical distinction in the business world is whether a business is public or private. Public companies can raise capital by issuing shares to the public and are often listed on stock exchanges to facilitate such offerings. They are also held to a higher level of scrutiny, as shareholders demand transparency and performance. Private companies, on the other hand, are owned by a smaller group and are not obligated to disclose as much information to the public. This offers more control but limits access to funding.

Public companies

Access to public funding is one of the primary advantages of being a public company, as it allows them to finance large projects or research and development at a scale that private companies typically cannot. However, once the company does this, the ownership is the general public. This comes with significant responsibilities and scrutiny:

Transparency and Disclosure: in many jurisdictions public companies are required by law to regularly disclose financial statements, operational performance, and other critical data. These disclosures are meant to provide transparency to shareholders and the market, ensuring investors have accurate information to make ownership decisions. This includes quarterly earnings reports, annual filings (such as 10-K), and real-time disclosures of significant events that could affect the business.
Shareholder Influence: Public companies have a diverse group of shareholders, including institutional investors, retail investors, and possibly even activist investors (those with an agenda to change some aspect of the business). As the ownership, shareholders have the final say in major business decisions, and their expectations for profit, growth, and transparency often place pressure on company management to meet short-term performance targets, even when doing so may not align with the business's long term best interests.
Regulation: Public companies are subject to oversight from regulatory bodies. These regulations aim to protect investors and ensure fair and ethical business practices. Compliance with these regulations requires dedicated resources and increases operating costs.
Market Volatility: The performance of public companies is heavily influenced by stock market conditions. Their stock price can fluctuate based on external factors like market trends, investor sentiment, or economic conditions, sometimes leading to pressure for short-term performance that may not align with long-term strategy.

Private Companies:

Private companies, on the other hand, are owned by a smaller group of investors, which could include individual owners, families, private equity firms, or a small group of institutional investors. These businesses do not offer shares to the public on stock exchanges and are not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight. However, private companies face limitations as well:

Limited Access to Capital: Unlike public companies, private companies cannot raise capital by issuing shares to the public. As a result, they typically rely on other sources of funding, such as loans, private equity, or venture capital. These methods of raising capital can be more expensive and come with more restrictive terms than issuing public shares.
Valuation Challenges: It can be harder for private companies to accurately value themselves, as there is no market-driven share price. This can make it more difficult to attract investors or assess the company's worth in situations like mergers, acquisitions, or the sale of the business.

Why is Black Ownership Important?

The importance of Black business ownership goes beyond individual success – it has a collective impact on the broader community and society as a whole.

Business Owner Income and Wealth vs. Everyone Else

The importance of Black business ownership goes beyond individual success – it has a collective impact on the broader community and society as a whole. Business owners, as a group, regardless of ethnicity, generally tend to have higher incomes compared to individuals who work for others. This distinction stems from the inherent differences between being a business owner and being an employee. Here's a look at some of those differences:

Revenue Generation and Control:

Business owners have the ability to generate unlimited revenue based on the scale, performance, and success of their business. As the owners of the business, they have a direct influence on how much profit the business can make, the price point of products or services, and how costs are managed. In contrast, employees earn a fixed salary, hourly wage, or performance-based compensation, which limits their income potential.

In many cases, business owners can leverage their businesses to secure further income opportunities. For example, a business owner can use their business as collateral to access financing and invest in other ventures or use take business profits to create personal investments, such as real estate, stocks, or other businesses.

Employees, however, may have fewer opportunities to leverage their salary for personal investments, particularly if their earnings do not leave much room for discretionary spending or savings.

Equity and Wealth Creation:

In many cases, entrepreneurs can accumulate wealth not only from their salaries but also from their company's profits and increased valuation of equity ownership over time. For instance, a small business that gains substantial market share or experiences rapid growth may increase its value many times over, which benefits the owner both in terms of financial return and personal wealth, as the expected total income from the business increases.

Business owners also have the potential for capital gains (profit from selling an asset that has appreciated, such as a business). If they decide to sell their business or take it public through an IPO, they can realize the increase in value of the business. Employees, by contrast, do not typically have ownership stakes in their companies unless they are offered stock options or equity as part of their compensation package, which is relatively rare.

Influence

Black-owned businesses have the potential to influence local and national policies. By increasing the number of Black business owners, there is the potential for greater representation in key decision-making spaces, leading to more inclusive policies, programs, and social change. These entrepreneurs can advocate for economic justice, push for policies that benefit marginalized communities, and support broader societal reforms.

Black entrepreneurs with significant wealth and influence can also act as advocates for Black talent, ensuring that Black voices are heard, and that Black people have a seat at the table in industries and sectors where they have historically been excluded.

Community

A thriving ecosystem of Black-owned businesses encourages community collaboration. Local businesses often collaborate with each other to support mutual goals, whether it's through joint marketing efforts, community development projects, or neighborhood events. These businesses, rooted in the community, can offer services that reflect the specific needs of the people they serve. These businesses tend to reinvest profits into the local economy, furthering community development and ensuring that wealth circulates within the Black community.

Black entrepreneurs serve as powerful role models, especially for younger generations. When Black children and youth see successful business owners who look like them, it creates a sense of possibility and ambition. It shows a path that is not always promoted in mass media. These role models can inspire future entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and build their own businesses. These role models can also mentor the next wave of entrepreneurs, ensuring that the cycle of empowerment continues.

Hiring and Job Creation

Black-owned businesses also create job opportunities for other Black individuals, helping to reduce unemployment rates within the community. These businesses contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth while promoting economic independence.

Self Sufficiency

Self-sufficiency is a key aspect of Black ownership. Owning businesses creates independence, allowing individuals to control their economic futures and not be as reliant on external factors that have often failed to meet their needs. It also reduces dependency on industries or sectors that may marginalize Black workers, making it easier for individuals to chart their own economic path. Self-sufficiency enables individuals and families to make decisions that best serve their needs, rather than relying on systems that may not prioritize their interests. The same is true for community self-sufficiency.

Innovation

Entrepreneurs drive progress by introducing new products, services, and solutions to existing problems. Whether it's technology, healthcare, fashion, or any other sector, Black-owned businesses bring fresh perspectives that challenge traditional business models and industry norms.

The innovation coming from Black ownership is not just about financial success – it's about addressing the needs of the community in unique ways. Black entrepreneurs may introduce solutions that are tailored to the specific challenges faced by the Black community, from healthcare disparities to educational gaps to cultural representation in media and the arts.

Major Hurdles to Scaling a Business for Black Entrepreneurs

Scaling a business is an arduous journey for any entrepreneur. However, for Black business owners, the challenges are often exacerbated by historical and systemic barriers. These hurdles – ranging from financial constraints to lack of access to resources – can make it difficult to not only start a business but to grow and scale it effectively. Despite these challenges, there are ways to break through the barriers, and companies like Orisuun are playing a pivotal role in addressing these issues.

1. Runway: The Financial Chasm Between Ambition and Execution

The Hurdle: Lack of Capital and Runway (No Money, No Time to Grow)

The term runway refers to the amount of time a business can operate before it runs out of money. It's an essential factor in determining whether an entrepreneur can keep the lights on while they focus on scaling (or start out for that matter). For many Black entrepreneurs, this runway is often shorter than for others due to limited access to initial capital and funding. Traditional funding routes – like venture capital (VC) or bank loans – are less accessible due to a combination of factors, including systemic racism in lending and the wealth gap.

Research has shown that Black business owners are often denied access to loans at higher rates compared to their white counterparts, which limits their ability to build the necessary infrastructure for long-term success. Without sufficient financial resources, Black entrepreneurs are left with fewer opportunities to experiment, pivot, or market their business effectively.

Who Benefits from the Removal of This Hurdle?

Once access to capital is improved, entrepreneurs who have been traditionally shut out of mainstream finance are empowered to start businesses. These entrepreneurs are likely to come from a variety of backgrounds, with an emphasis on those who are passionate about innovation but need the financial support to scale their vision.

How Orisuun Helps Solve This Problem:

Orisuun addresses this challenge head-on by providing tailored financial support and funding options that specifically cater to Black entrepreneurs. The platform connects business owners with investors who are committed to supporting Black-owned businesses. Orisuun offers both access to funding and a network of investors who can help business owners secure capital. In addition, the site maintains guides to grant programs around the world, a calendar of grant deadlines, and offers a global Discount Club (with discounts from businesses of all sizes and from all industries) that allows entrepreneurs to lower their costs and extend their runway.

2. Wealth Gap Creates Credit Gap: The Cycle of Inaccessibility

The Hurdle: Creditworthiness and Limited Wealth

The wealth gap between Black and white Americans (and, generally, non-Americans as well) is a deeply ingrained issue that impacts many areas of society, from housing and education to employment opportunities and business ownership. One of the most consequential results of this racial wealth gap is its contribution to the credit gap experienced by Black-owned businesses. A significant source of data that sheds light on this issue is the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), which reveals stark disparities between Black and white business owners in America – and its inextricable links to the broader racial wealth gap.

This gap is attributable to a number of historical disadvantages, including segregation, redlining, mortgage discrimination, and disparities in education opportunities and funding. All of this translates into lower levels of wealth for Black individuals, which has significant consequences when it comes to business ownership, especially for those who wish to start or grow their own businesses in industries that require significant capital outlays or long investment periods before a return is made.

a. Access to Financing: The Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey

The Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey provides crucial data about the financial experiences of small business owners. According to recent surveys (2020 - 2024), Black-owned businesses are significantly more likely to face challenges in accessing credit than their white counterparts. Key findings from the survey include:

Loan Denial Rates: Black business owners (at employer companies) are more likely to be denied credit than white business owners. In the 2024 SBCS, 32% of Black business owners reported being fully approved for credit, compared to 56% of white business owners.
Lack of Sufficient Credit History: Black entrepreneurs often report a lack of established credit history, which plays a critical role in the approval process for loans. Many Black business owners are first-generation entrepreneurs and, as a result, lack the financial track record that would make them eligible for traditional loans.
Higher Costs and Interest Rates: When Black business owners do secure credit, they often face higher interest rates and less favorable terms. This is because they are seen as higher-risk borrowers due to their lower personal wealth, credit history, or business financials, which are in part influenced by the racial wealth gap.
Self-Funding and Informal Sources of Credit: Many Black business owners rely more heavily on personal savings, friends and family, or alternative (often expensive) lending options such as payday loans, microloans or credit cards. These sources of funding may not provide the capital necessary for scaling a business in the long term and often come with significant risks and financial strain.

b. Structural Barriers in the Lending System

The barriers that contribute to the credit gap for Black-owned businesses are not just a result of individual financial circumstances but are also systemic in nature. Historically, Black entrepreneurs have faced exclusion from mainstream financial systems. Some of these structural barriers include:

Lack of Wealth as Collateral: Access to credit is often linked to collateral—real estate, personal savings, or other assets that can be used as security for a loan. The racial wealth gap means that Black entrepreneurs are less likely to have the assets to pledge as collateral when seeking loans. This makes it harder for them to secure financing, especially for larger loans that would enable them to grow their businesses.
Discriminatory Lending Practices: Even though discrimination in lending is illegal in the United States, studies have shown that it persists. Black business owners may experience discrimination in the form of higher rejection rates, less favorable loan terms, or a lack of guidance when navigating the loan application process. This not only limits their access to capital but also discourages them from seeking loans in the future (as evidenced in the 2022 SBCS, which showed that discouragement was listed as the top reason for not applying for financing for 40% Black business owners compared to 12% for white business owners and 22% and 24% respectively for Asian and Hispanic business owners).

c. Impacts on Business Growth

The credit gap has far-reaching consequences for Black-owned businesses. When Black entrepreneurs are unable to access affordable and adequate credit, their ability to scale their businesses is severely hindered. Some of the key impacts include:

Missed Opportunities: In most industries, the competitive landscape changes significantly over the course of a few years. To take advantage of gaps in market coverage and other emergent market opportunities, businesses need capital for marketing, research, facilities, etc.
Outdated Equipment: Businesses that cannot access the credit they need can easily fall behind competitors and upstarts when it comes to the technology, equipment, and training needed to compete, either on service or price.
Understaffing: Lack of capital leaves no choice for business owners but to work with smaller staff counts and, in many cases, hire underqualified or under-skilled employees, who are often unmotivated by lower pay.
Lack of Innovation: Without the budget for research, businesses can't innovate in their fields.

Who Benefits from the Removal of This Hurdle?

Once the credit gap is bridged, more Black entrepreneurs can take the plunge into entrepreneurship. This means that individuals who might have previously had to forego starting a business or expanding their business because of lack of assets will now have the opportunity to get in the arena. Those who are highly motivated, innovative, and passionate about solving problems in their communities are likely to step forward, knowing they will not be excluded due to financial circumstances beyond their control.

How Orisuun Helps Solve This Problem:

Orisuun helps break down this barrier by offering innovative financing models that do not rely on traditional credit scores or significant wealth to qualify. Instead of using wealth as the primary measure of an entrepreneur's viability, Orisuun focuses on the business potential and the strength of the business plan. We offer robust Crowdfunding tools tailored for Black-owned businesses. We have a global network of investors interested specifically in Black-owned businesses. This addition to traditional financing options makes it easier for Black entrepreneurs to secure the capital they need without being penalized for a lack of personal wealth or high credit scores, while increasing their visibility and creating a buzz with rewards and special access.

3. Too Many "Businesses" and Not Enough Business: The Need for Consolidation

The Hurdle: Fragmentation in the Market

While there has been a significant increase in the number of Black-owned businesses, there remains an issue of fragmentation within the Black business community. Many Black-owned businesses are micro or small in size, with limited resources, and they often face stiff competition from both larger corporations and other small businesses. This fragmentation limits the collective economic power of Black entrepreneurs and makes it harder for individual businesses to scale.

For Black entrepreneurs, it should not just about having a business, but about building sustainable businesses. Too many businesses lack the infrastructure, support systems, or networks that are necessary to scale effectively. Without consolidation or access to business partnerships, Black entrepreneurs are left under-resourced and to fend for themselves in highly competitive markets.

Often, the owners of these businesses find themselves stretched too thin. In the absence of a team, solopreneurs need to wear many hats and take charge of critical tasks that fall outside of their expertise, which can lead to burnout. This inability to delegate can also lead to a compromised quality of their work.

Who Benefits from the Removal of This Hurdle?

Entrepreneurs who are focused on long-term growth and sustainability are the ones most likely to succeed once fragmentation is addressed. These individuals tend to be highly resourceful and eager to leverage partnerships that allow them to scale effectively. Removing the barrier of isolation in the business world means that more ambitious, skilled entrepreneurs – especially those who have been successful in running smaller operations – will be empowered to step up, come together, and build bigger, more impactful businesses. These entrepreneurs may also be more likely to start businesses in industries where consolidation has previously been a challenge, such as in tech, manufacturing, or service sectors.

How Orisuun.com Solves This Problem:

Orisuun addresses this issue by creating a centralized business hub for Black entrepreneurs, where they can find each other across the globe for collaboration and partnership opportunities. By encouraging networking and partnerships, Orisuun allows smaller businesses to pool their resources, expand their reach, and reduce operational costs through our elaborate matching systems.

We have a Business Opportunity Matching System for collaborators to find each based on being on complementary sides of a business opportunity. We also have a matching system for co-founders and one for businesses to find board members.

4. Lack of Mentorship: The Missing Guidance

The Problem: No Roadmap

Mentorship is critical for any entrepreneur. But for many Black business owners, finding a mentor – someone who has been through the trenches and can provide practical advice – is harder than it should be. This lack of mentorship creates a gap in knowledge, confidence, and networking opportunities. Many Black entrepreneurs end up learning the hard way, which can be costly and stunt a business's potential.

Who Benefits from the Removal of This Hurdle?

Those Black entrepreneurs who may have forgone a more ambitious business idea because of their lack of access to mentors to help guide them. First-time business owners or entrepreneurs who don't have a strong business network would also see a benefit. With mentorship, these entrepreneurs will not only learn the ropes but will also have the support they need to grow their business more efficiently.

How Orisuun Solves It:

Orisuun provides a platform for Black entrepreneurs to find and meaningfully connect with seasoned and highly relevant mentors and coaches. The platform also connects business owners with industry experts and strategy consultants who can provide the kind of guidance that would help them avoid pitfalls. From practical advice on growing your business to strategic insights on marketing or scaling, mentorship can make the difference between success and failure.

The Path Forward for Black-Owned Businesses: How Does It Get Better?

In the pursuit of Black ownership and entrepreneurial growth, we are not just seeking economic progress; we are fighting for a deeper sense of self-determination and community empowerment. The importance of Black-owned businesses cannot be overstated. They contribute not only to the economic health of communities but also to cultural diversity, social equity, and influence worldwide.

As we've explored, the barriers to entry and scaling that Black entrepreneurs face are rooted in historical inequalities and resulting wealth gaps. Yet, initiatives like those found at Orisuun are helping to dismantle these barriers and structures that hinder true entrepreneurial freedom by providing tools and support that directly address the hurdles standing in the way for most Black entrepreneurs. To truly unlock the potential of Black-owned businesses, it takes buy-in and participation from all of us. We are the resources we seek

Bek SunuuCo-founder & President

Bek Sunuu is a former attorney and finance professional turned influential entrepreneur and advocate for Black-owned businesses. He is recognized for his dedication to strengthening Black-owned businesses on a global scale. With a background in law and finance, Sunuu has used his expertise to promote the integration and cooperation of the global Black business community as a pathway for business owners to access crucial resources such as mentorship, investment, and networking opportunities. His work emphasizes the power of unity among Black entrepreneurs and the importance of creating opportunities for collaboration, resource-sharing, and mutual support.At the core of Sunuu’s approach is Orisuun, an easy-to-use platform designed to empower individuals with the tools to discover and support Black-owned businesses through patronage, investment, or service. His approach highlights the importance of community-driven support and sustainable business practices. His efforts underscore the need for continued investment in Black-owned businesses as key drivers of economic growth and social change. various accelerator programs.