18 Young Black Entrepreneurs

Hey there, I’ve got a list of 18 incredible young black entrepreneurs that I think you should know about. These individuals are making waves and building successful businesses, all while inspiring others with their determination and creativity. So let’s dive in and discover these talented go-getters!

First up, we have Sarah, the visionary behind a thriving fashion brand. She started small, designing clothes from her own bedroom. But with hard work and a keen eye for style, her label has now become a go-to for fashionistas everywhere.

Next, we have Michael, a tech genius who created a revolutionary app. With just a few taps, this app connects people from all walks of life, bringing communities closer together. Michael’s innovation is not only changing the game but also making a positive impact on society.

Then there’s Lisa, a talented artist who turned her passion into a successful business. She creates stunning artwork that speaks to people’s souls, and her pieces have found homes in galleries and private collections all around the world.

Moving on, we meet Marcus, an aspiring chef with a unique twist on food. His fusion cuisine combines flavors from different cultures, creating delectable dishes that leave taste buds begging for more. Marcus’s culinary adventures are taking the food industry by storm.

And let’s not forget about Jessica, the young CEO who launched a sustainable skincare line. Her products are not only good for your skin but also for the planet. Jessica’s commitment to environmental responsibility has garnered her a loyal following and accolades for her eco-friendly business practices.

As we continue down the list, we encounter David, an up-and-coming musician with a golden voice. His soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics captivate audiences worldwide. David’s talent is undeniable, and his music is sure to touch your heart.

Then there’s Maya, the genius behind a groundbreaking invention. Her technological innovation is revolutionizing the way we live, work, and play. Maya’s determination and brilliance are paving the way for a brighter future.

Now, let me introduce you to James, a social entrepreneur with a big heart. He started a non-profit organization that provides education and resources to underprivileged communities. James’s dedication to making a difference in people’s lives is truly inspiring.

Next on our list is Olivia, a young author whose words have the power to transport readers to new worlds. Her stories ignite imaginations and spark creativity. Olivia’s penmanship is a gift to literature lovers everywhere.

Moving right along, we have William, a fitness guru who created a unique workout routine. His exercise program not only strengthens the body but also nourishes the mind and soul. William’s holistic approach to fitness is empowering individuals to live their healthiest lives.

And let’s not forget about Lucy, an up-and-coming filmmaker whose stories shed light on important social issues. Her movies challenge societal norms and provoke thought, creating conversations that lead to positive change.

Now, let’s meet Ethan, a young entrepreneur who founded a marketing agency. His innovative strategies and creative campaigns have helped countless businesses thrive in the digital age. Ethan’s expertise is a valuable asset to the business world.

Next up, we have Sophia, a budding scientist who is making breakthroughs in medical research. Her discoveries hold the potential to save lives and improve the quality of healthcare. Sophia’s dedication to science is shaping a better future for all of us.

Moving forward, we meet Caleb, an ambitious architect who designs sustainable buildings. His structures blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating spaces that are environmentally friendly and visually stunning. Caleb’s architectural brilliance is reshaping skylines around the world.

And let’s not forget about Grace, a young entrepreneur who founded a social media platform for positive change. Her online community is a safe space for spreading kindness and making a difference. Grace’s digital platform is connecting people in meaningful ways.

Now, I want to introduce you to Brandon, a young lawyer who fights for justice. He advocates for the marginalized and works tirelessly to make the legal system fairer for all. Brandon’s passion for justice is making a real impact on society.

Finally, we have Emily, a philanthropist with a heart of gold. She dedicates her time and resources to support charities and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Emily’s generosity and compassion have touched countless lives.

These incredible young black entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and paving the way for future generations. Their stories remind us that with passion, determination, and a sprinkle of creativity, anything is possible. So let’s celebrate their accomplishments and be inspired to chase our own dreams.

Entrepreneurship is open to everyone, regardless of their race or gender. The incredible black entrepreneurs I’m about to introduce you to have not only made an impact in the black business community, but in the business world as a whole.

Some of them left their comfortable jobs behind to pursue their revolutionary ideas in completely different industries. Others started with nothing more than $40 and a whole lot of determination.

A few of these African American individuals achieved tremendous success before they even turned 30 (I’ll reveal who they are later). For others, the journey to entrepreneurship began later in life.

What all of these remarkable entrepreneurs shared was this: They refused to let the color of their skin hold them back. They refused to settle for the way things were. They refused to give up.

The Most Inspiring Black Entrepreneurs

Get ready to be inspired by our list of exceptional black entrepreneurs.

1. Madam C.J. Walker

Have you ever heard of this amazing woman? She was a real trailblazer in the world of Black innovation, even though she lived a long time ago, from 1867 to 1919. Can you believe that? She had a problem with her hair breaking, so she came up with a special product to take care of it. And get this, she went all over the southern states, mostly on foot, to talk about and sell her product. She also had a whole routine for taking care of skin and hair, which became known as the Walker Method.

Let me tell you something amazing – Madam C.J. Walker was one of the very first American women to become a millionaire. Can you imagine having that much money?

2. Oprah Winfrey

Now, here’s a story you won’t believe. There was a person who worked in television and they actually told Oprah Winfrey that she would never be successful. Can you imagine someone saying that to her? Well, guess what? Oprah didn’t let that stop her. In fact, she became one of the most famous and successful people in media history. She has done so much to help kids get an education and support them. She’s really an inspiration!

Hey, remember what this awesome Black entrepreneur said: If you’re depending on someone else for your happiness, you’re just wasting your time.

3. Moziah Bridges, Mo’s Bows

Let me tell you about Moziah Bridges. He started his own business called Mo’s Bows back in 2011, when he was only 9 years old. Can you believe it? Now he’s a teenager and the founder, president, and creative director of Mo’s Bows. You should check out their website at mosbowsmemphis.com. It’s pretty cool!

One of the impressive things about Moziah is that he personally chooses all the fabric used for his products. That’s a lot of hard work! And guess what? He’s made over $700,000 in sales. Can you imagine having your own business making that much money?

Oh, and here’s something cool: Moziah also designs neckties and bow ties for NBA teams. How awesome is that? He’s got some serious style!

Moziah is proud of where he comes from, Memphis. That’s why he started the Go Mo! Summer Camp Fund. It helps kids in Memphis have an amazing summer camp experience. Such a thoughtful and caring kid!

4. Cory Nieves, Mr. Cory’s Cookies

Guess what? I’ve got an amazing story to share with you. It’s about a kid from New Jersey who started his own cookie business – Mr. Cory’s Cookies (mrcoryscookies.com) – when he was only 6 years old. Can you believe it?

So, Mr. Cory teamed up with his awesome mom, Lisa, and together they made some seriously delicious homemade treats. And the best part? They only use natural, top-notch ingredients. From there, they started with classic chocolate chip cookies, but soon enough, they got creative and came up with all sorts of unique flavors. Yum!

5. Let me tell you about Mikaila Ulmer and her fantastic creation, Me The Bees Lemonade!

When Mikaila was just four years old, she got stung by a bee. Ouch! But you know what? That bee sting sparked something inside her. It made her want to learn everything there is to know about bees. Pretty cool, huh?

And get this – Mikaila found out about a super cool business competition for kids called Acton Children’s Business Fair and also Austin (Texas) Lemonade Day. She took this as the perfect opportunity to showcase her talents and spread her love for lemonade. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

I made the decision to participate by using my Great Granny Helen’s recipe for Flaxseed lemonade, which I found in a cookbook from the 1940s. I made a small adjustment to the recipe by replacing the sugar with local honey.

If you’re interested, you can find more information about our company, Our Sweet Story – Me the Bees Lemonade, on our website (meandthebees.com). I am proud to say that I donate a portion of my profits to honeybee research.

6. Maya Penn, Sustainable Fashion

I am the founder and CEO of a company called Maya Penn – Sustainable Fashion. We create eco-friendly clothing using vintage fabrics and 100% organic fabrics like cotton, hemp, and bamboo. If you want to learn more about my ideas, visit my website (mayasideas.com). In addition to running my company and working with fabrics, I am also a global activist for sustainability and often get invited to speak on the topic. I have even written a book called You Got This to inspire teens and young adults.

7. Binta Niambi Brown

Let me tell you about this amazing person named Binta Niambi Brown. She used to be an international corporate lawyer, but she decided to follow her passions and do something new. That’s when she became the co-chair and co-founder of Black Music Action Coalition.

But that’s not all! Binta is also the founder and CEO of Omalilly Projects, a company that helps manage and produce artists. She’s really good at what she does, and she’s even one of the top fundraisers in the world. Can you believe that? She raises money for important things like politics, humanitarian efforts, and cultural initiatives.

Right now, Binta is focusing on human rights issues in Cambodia. She cares a lot about making the world a better place, and she’s working hard to make a difference. If you want to learn more about Binta Niambi Brown, check out weforum. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

8. MoAnA LUU

Now, let me introduce you to someone really cool – MoAnA LUU. She’s the founder of ManLuu, a fashion house from America. But this is no ordinary fashion brand – it’s all about Creole luxury. When you visit their online store, you’ll find not just clothes, but also beautiful decorations, art, and so much more.

MoAnA is not just a fashion designer – she’s also an expert at brand transformation. One of her biggest achievements was giving Essence magazine a complete makeover. She’s a true visionary, always finding new ways to make things better and more exciting.

9. Dr. David Walcott

I’m Dr. Walcott, and not only am I a doctor, but I’m also deeply passionate about improving healthcare. I founded NovaMed, a company dedicated to bringing quality healthcare to underserved markets around the world. Most recently, I co-founded and serve as CEO of InfinitiPartnership, where we’re working to bring top-notch cardiac care to the Caribbean.

10. Janice Bryant Howard

Now, let me tell you about Janice Bryant Howard. She’s quite the entrepreneur! You see, some people start their companies with a good amount of money, but not Janice. She started her company, Act1Group, with practically no money at all.

When Janice moved back to her hometown of Tarboro, NC, she took a bold leap and launched Act1Group. She didn’t have fancy office furniture, a fax machine, or any other equipment you might typically need to start a company. All she had was a phone and determination.

By using my own marketing skills, I’ve transformed Act1Group into a leading employment agency in the industry.

11.Nathalie Walten

Nathalie Walten, the CEO and co-founder of Expectful, created a company that focuses on taking care of both the mind and body of expectant mothers. The interactive website provides various resources for motherhood, including meditations, events, and supportive groups. Expectful also has a team of experts in nutrition and post-partum care.

Like many other minority founders, this young entrepreneur recognized a need based on personal experience and followed her passion to create a company she truly loves.

12.Vimbayi Kajese

I’m Kajese, the founder and CEO of #Adtags. I was both amazed and saddened to discover that only 1% of stock images include people of color. Stock images are pictures that companies or advertisers can purchase.

Our mission at #Adtags is to increase the use of visual content that includes people of color. This content is available for globally-conscious brands to use. In the advertising industry, we’re known as diversity crusaders.

Black Entrepreneurs Who Succeeded Before Turning 30

We’ve already met a variety of black entrepreneurs who achieved success before they reached the age of 30. We’ve also encountered a few individuals who found success in other professions before transitioning into entrepreneurship and expanding their business ventures.

Let me introduce you to some amazing young black entrepreneurs who have used their interests to succeed in the business world.

13. Asmau Ahmed and Plum Perfect

It took Asmau Ahmed 8 years, but she had the perfect background to create Plum Perfect. Not only is she a Columbia Business School MBA graduate, but she’s also a chemical engineer.

Asmau developed a special online shopping experience for women of color. Here’s how it works: customers start by taking a selfie and answering a few questions. Based on that, Plum Perfect helps them create a unique color signature and recommends products through an easy-to-use dashboard.

14. Anne-Marie Imafidon and Stemettes

I used to work at Goldman Sachs before I started Stemettes, also known as Girls Do STEM Too… – Stemettes ®. Stemettes is a special organization that aims to inspire and support young women and nonbinary individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering, the arts, and math.

Ashifi Gogo, Supply Chain Management and Technology Co.

Gogo is the founder of a company called Sproxil, which is based in Atlanta and focuses on supply chain management and technology. With his business skills, Gogo created Sproxil.

The main goal of Sproxil is to establish trust and ensure security throughout the entire supply chain using mobile technology. This protects companies from fraud, such as counterfeiting and theft, which can occur at any stage of the chain. So far, Sproxil has successfully protected over 2.5 billion product units.

Amari Ruff, SUDU, Technology-Based Logistics Company

I’m Ruff, the proud founder of SUDU Logistics, a super successful tech company worth millions. Let me break down how our incredible tech works:

SUDU is all about connecting small and medium-sized transportation entrepreneurs with big-shot companies like those massive box stores and manufacturers. What makes us stand out is that we specifically focus on helping women, minorities, and Veterans. We’ve got this awesome online marketplace that uses moving analytics technology to link up these entrepreneurs with major customers.

Oh, and fun fact: SUDU is a Chinese word that means speed and tempo. Cool, huh?

Now let me introduce you to Essynce Moore

Wow, would you believe that at just 6 years old, Essynce Moore launched her very own line of clothes and products for black youth? She’s unstoppable! Not only is she a talented fashion designer, but she’s also an actress and an author. And you know what she does with all her fame and success? She uses it to inspire and support other black-owned businesses. What a role model!

18. Asia Newson, the Super Business Girl

Let me tell you about Asia Newson, a truly remarkable young entrepreneur. She made a big splash in the business world with her unique and beautiful candles. Have you seen her signature pink, yellow, and light blue candle? It’s absolutely stunning!

But Asia didn’t stop there. She wanted to help other kids like herself become entrepreneurs too. That’s why she created Super Business Girl, a special program on Facebook where she teaches young people how to start their own businesses. How cool is that?

And it doesn’t end there! Asia also offers online workshops to students in middle and high school. She’s all about empowering the next generation of business stars. Impressive, right?

Let’s Support Young Black Owned Businesses Today

Here’s a little reminder for all of us: in 2020 and 2021, every business, whether owned by Black or White entrepreneurs, faced tough times. It was a challenging period for everyone.