30 Ways to Support Black-Owned Businesses Year Round

Every time Black History Month rolls around, my social feeds blow up with lists of black-owned businesses to support. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing local black-owned businesses get their shine. 

But here’s what keeps me up at night: What happens on March 1st? Where’s that energy when August’s National Black Business Month comes around? More importantly, why are we still acting like supporting Black entrepreneurs is a seasonal activity?

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s talk facts first because I love receipts.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black business owners make up only about 2% of small business owners in the United States despite Black Americans making up over 13% of the population. 

And before anyone starts with the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” narrative, let’s acknowledge that the average white-owned business starts with nearly three times the capital of Black businesses. That’s not a skill gap; that’s the racial wealth gap doing what it was designed to do.

The Silver Lining

But here’s the good news (yes, sis, I said good news): We have more power to change this than ever before. In today’s world, especially after the Black Lives Matter movement pushed these conversations into the mainstream, we have tools, platforms, and most importantly, consciousness that our parents and grandparents could only dream of.

So let me break down exactly how we can make supporting Black-owned businesses year-round not just a hashtag but a reality.

Make It Personal, Make It Regular

First things first – this isn’t just about social justice. It’s about building generational wealth in Black communities. When you support a Black-owned restaurant, you’re not just getting a meal; you’re investing in Black families who are three times more likely to employ other Black people.

Start with your everyday spending. Look at your last month’s receipts. How many big-box stores could you swap out for local businesses? Better yet, for local Black-owned businesses? This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Make a list of your essential services and products, then actively seek out Black-owned brands in those categories.

The Digital Revolution

Let’s talk about social media platforms for a minute. Yes, that Instagram post about your favorite black-owned businesses matters. But here’s how to make it matter more:

1. Don’t just post. Tag the business and use relevant hashtags.
2. Share their social media post when they’re running specials.
3. Leave a detailed positive review (because we all know how algorithms love that).
4. Create highlight reels of your experiences.
5. Share their online presence with your network.

Beyond Individual Action

Here’s where it gets real. Individual support is crucial, but we need systemic change. The Community Reinvestment Act exists for a reason, but too many financial institutions still aren’t serving our communities adequately.

What you can do:

1. Push your local chamber of commerce to create specific programs for Black founders.
2. Support nonprofit organizations focused on business education for people of color.
3. Advocate for policy changes at the local government level.
4. Connect with your U.S. Black Chambers chapter.
5. Support organizations like the Black Business Association.

More Than Money

Yes, financial support is crucial. But supporting Black-owned businesses year-round goes beyond your purchasing power. Here’s what else you can do:

1. Offer your professional skills like customer service training, accounting, and marketing.
2. Share business education resources.
3. Attend local events supporting minority-owned businesses.
4. Join community events that showcase Black culture.
5. Mentor aspiring business leaders.

Supporting Black Women Entrepreneurs

Let’s talk about intersectionality for a minute. Black women are starting businesses at a higher rate than any other demographic group, yet they face unique challenges. They receive less than 1% of venture capital funding. 

So when you’re supporting Black businesses, make sure you’re intentionally including businesses owned by Black women.

Local Impact, Lasting Change

Your local area is where you can make a huge difference. Here’s how:

1. Create a directory of local Black-owned businesses for your family members.
2. Organize community members to do monthly shop-local challenges.
3. Use word of mouth to promote excellent service.
4. Purchase a gift card monthly from a different Black-owned business.
5. Support during the holiday season AND regular months.

The Power of Numbers

According to Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton, founders of National Black Business Month, supporting Black businesses isn’t just about individual economic success. It’s about closing the wealth gap. The average annual revenue for Black-owned businesses is significantly below the national average. 

In New York City alone, while Black residents make up 22% of the population, they own only 2% of businesses. There are more resources available now than ever before:

1. The Small Business Administration offers specific programs.
2. American Express has a dedicated grant program.
3. Various social assistance programs exist specifically for Black entrepreneurs.

Moving Forward: A Strategic Approach

1. Make a commitment to redirect at least 15% of your monthly spending to Black-owned businesses (matching the approximate percentage of Black Americans in the population)
2. Use your platform – whether you have 100 or 100,000 followers – to amplify Black businesses
3. Engage with local governments and financial institutions to create more opportunities for greater access to capital
4. Support organizations working at the national level to create systemic change
5. Share resources about business growth opportunities with Black entrepreneurs in your network

This isn’t just an effective strategy for supporting Black businesses. It’s a necessary one. In recent years, we’ve seen what happens when we mobilize collectively. The Black dollar has power, but only if we use it intentionally and consistently.

And let me be clear: This isn’t about charity. This is about equity.

This is about creating an economy that reflects and supports all of its participants. It’s about making sure that when we talk about small-business owners in America, we’re talking about a diverse group that actually represents our population.

So yes, support Black businesses during Black History Month. Support them during National Black Business Month. But most importantly, make it a year-round commitment. Because in the end, strong Black businesses mean strong Black families, which means a stronger America for all of us.

That’s not just a wonderful way to support our community. It’s the way forward.

How I Can Help

I’ve spent 22 years in the trenches, working with Fortune 500 companies and government clients across seven countries and 41 states. 

This isn’t a theory for me. It’s proven strategies that create real results. I’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to building cultures where inclusion isn’t just a buzzword but a core business strategy.

Whether your team needs a fire-starting keynote, hands-on workshops that actually stick, or one-on-one consulting to tackle your specific challenges, I bring more than just expertise. I bring the real talk and practical solutions your organization needs to stand out.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about creating the kind of workplace your employees deserve and showing the leadership your customers expect.

Ready to make supporting Black businesses a real part of your organization’s DNA? Let’s talk about how we can make that happen together.

Reach out today and let’s start building something that matters.