Black History Month Might Be Over, But You Still Have Work to Do

I don’t recall being aware of Black-owned businesses as a child, and that realization saddens me. Of course, they existed—but they weren’t visible. Education on Black entrepreneurs like Madam C.J. Walker was limited, major retailers didn’t highlight Black businesses, and social media wasn’t around to help us discover them. With only 3 percent of businesses today being Black-owned, representation was even scarcer back then. To be honest, the idea of Black entrepreneurship never even crossed my mind as a kid. I knew we could be teachers, doctors, and lawyers—I saw that in my family firsthand. But business ownership? It felt out of reach. Even now, I have to remind myself to seek out Black-owned businesses because the marketplace is designed to keep them in the margins. This reality is disheartening, but we have the power to change it. Black businesses exist beyond February, and our support should, too. While Black History Month is an important time to amplify them, that energy shouldn’t fade when March begins. Prioritizing Black-owned businesses year-round is not only a must for economic vitality but also a necessary step toward true equity. Here’s why, you know, beyond the fact that it’s the right thing to do:...