My thoughts on Black History Month
"This is my fifth daughter, Gloria!" My Black mama beamed as she introduced me to her church choir - a tight-knit group she'd sung with for over two decades. No one batted an eye at me - the only non-Black person in those pews. They just smiled, pulled me in for hugs, asked about school.
I was just a dorky 13-year-old girl whose world had been turned upside down. My ex-stepdad had just broken his promise to care for me forever, kicking us out during a gut-wrenching divorce that left us without a home.
❤ But this community? They took me in without hesitation. Gave me a room. A family. More than that - they taught me about Black culture, work ethic, and what it really means to show up for each other. About surviving and thriving in a world that wasn't built for us.
The way they demonstrated true acceptance and love - without fanfare, without conditions, without hesitation - shaped everything I believe about community and belonging. ✨
That lesson feels especially vital right now.
While we're watching diversity programs being dismantled across the country, corporations walking back their commitments, and inclusion being treated as optional - our community is choosing a different path.
We're building something real here. Not with grand statements or performative gestures, but through daily actions:
👏🏿 Supporting non profits like the Equal Justice Initiative
👏🏿 Amplifying Black creators' voices and stories
👏🏿 Inviting Black speakers and experts to share knowledge in our community
👏🏿Spotlighting Black-owned businesses year-round
Throughout our community, Black entrepreneurs are creating, innovating, and bringing light to the world:
Melody Keel, founder of Mom Sancturay
Anna Gilchrist, founder of Booksbyannagilchrist
Sandy Petit, founder of strawberryavocados
Jeannine Cavallo, founder of curateskinstudiolab
Shayla Luneria, founder of Luneria Beauty Botanica Spiritual Sensitive Skincare
Makeba Guilan Lloyd, founder of Butter by Keba
Dr.Misty Freeman, Unconscious Bias Coach
Dr Rashida Vassel, MD, founder of Safahla Medical
Dr.Nicole rankins, OBGYN | Pregnancy & Birth MD
Margaret Garmon, founder of Januarydecember_official,
YveCar Momperousse, founder of Kreyolessence
Danni Benson, founder Self love day
Faith Moore, Self-Promotion Expert, Author of Schmingling
These entrepreneurs are small business owners tackling the same daily challenges we all know.
They're up late working on their websites. Dealing with those supplier headaches. Juggling care taking and showing up for their loved ones. Wondering if that launch will work out.
💜 And they're doing all this while navigating spaces that weren't built for them.
💜 While carrying the weight of generational trauma.
💜 While being exhausted from it all - and still making time to mentor others, to share resources, to light the way.
Not because they're tokens or exceptional stories. But because they're passionate business owners who keep showing up.
❤️ Keep creating.
❤️ Keep making space for others.
❤️ Keep pushing forward.
The work continues.
The community grows.
The healing deepens.
Here's how you can be part of this work:
Share and elevate the Black founders and creators you know, or follow my friends Kwadwo, Xayli Barclay, Keenya Kelly, Jam Gamble, Monique Bryan, Dr. Toyin Alli, Jordan Gill, Natasha Samuel, and Sonia Thompson - speak their names in rooms where decisions are made, recommend them for speaking opportunities, share their work widely
Follow and support incredible Black journalists who've shared their wisdom on our podcast: Trae Bodge, Lenora Houseworth, Danielle Broadway, Jillian Wilson, and Jihan Forbes (They all took time to meet our small business community in our PR program!) Their stories and perspectives shape how we understand our world
Follow, engage with, and amplify their content - from podcasts to newsletters to social posts. Your engagement helps their voices reach further
Share this email with someone who needs to be part of our community. Forward it with a note about why you think they belong here
With love and purpose,
Gloria