Black women often face many challenges as business owners, from a lack of access to capital and funding to a paucity in mentors. They are however among the fastest growing groups of entrepreneurs.
Travel Noire scoured the nation to find just a sample of the incredible women who managed to persevere and prosper. A few states are lacking representation, but that should change in the future.
Alabama
Tanesha Sims-Summers, founder and CEO of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. describes her product as “addictive handcrafted kettle corn.”
Alaska
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
The Kuration Collective is a hand-picked vintage store by owner Aspen Raney.
Arizona
Alyca Updegraff, L.E., C.L.E., L.S.O., is a licensed aesthetician and owner of Alycan Design Medispa, a go-to destination for everything skin.
Arkansas
Trinidad-born and Little Rock-based Michelle Brooks is the owner of Mavis & Cynthia Jewelry where she created handcrafted pieces.
California
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Long an online-only store, Andrea R. Lacy recently launched a dessert truck for her popular Luv’s Brownies.
Colorado
Ashley Shareef is the woman behind Ashley Gaffney Design, a Denver-based company specializing in branding strategy and marketing design.
Connecticut
Natasha McCallum, owner of Jazziez Soul Food, has brought comfort food to Stamford.
Delaware
Paula’s Place for Cakes is owned by Paula D. Hughes. The family bakery has been serving the finest cakes on the Eastern Shore for over 30 years.
Florida
Desiree Noisette is the founder of Florida’s first Black woman-owned wine brand, Mermosa. The brand is both a nod to the inner mermaid in all of us and Noisette’s ancestors.
Georgia
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Le Petit Marche is a popular breakfast and brunch spot in Kirkwood, Georgia. The restaurant is dedicated to owner Marchet Sparks’ parents.
Hawaii
Raquel Noriko received her cosmetology license in 2009 from Western Beauty Institute in Van Nuys, California, and became a Curl Coach Educator for DevaCurl in 2017. She is now the owner of Raquel Noriko Curl Studio based in Maui.
Idaho
Susan Tirima was inspired to share her native Kenyan cuisine with the Boise community and receiving positive reviews when cooking for her daughters’ friends. This is the story behind catering company Aunty Sue’s Kitchen.
Illinois
Chicago-based Ghanian American Abena Boamah is the mastermind behind Hanahana Beauty, a hand-crafted ethical skin-care brand made to empower women of color.
Indiana
Christina Lockett is a hair guru with a client list that includes NBA/NFL Cheerleaders and international entertainers. Try her services at Christina Ann Hair Boutique.
Iowa
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Carol “Sweetiepie” Cater-Simmons created Sugapeach to share southern style cuisine with the Cedar Rapids, Iowa community.
Kansas
Liberian Fannie Gibson opened Fannie’s West African Cuisine after amassing a large social following for posting her dishes.
Kentucky
The majority Black-woman-owned Camp Bespoke was co-founded by Lexington’s own Nicole Brassington, Misty Smith, Latasha Reid, and Dr. Angela Strickland.
Louisiana
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Sheila Johnson is the owner of the luxurious NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans which boasts 217-guestrooms and suites and a rooftop pool.
Maine
Claire from Savoir Claire is a Maine wedding officiant who is also happy to provide couples with customized ceremonies & vows.
Maryland
Drama MaMa Bookshop owner Alisa Brock created a space to support up-and-coming authors. Customers can also craft their own literary debut in one of the shop’s customized journals.
Massachusetts
Yvonne Watson’s Garden Design provides the very best in plant care and can transform your landscape according to your vision.
Michigan
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Danielle D. Hughes, Kiera Henderson, and Dr. Danielle Penson are making photography magic at their pop-up selfie space in Detroit called The Pose Experience.
Minnesota
Mariam Omari and Kotiareenia Taylor (known as Chef K) are the owners of K’s Revolutionary Catering and More which offers budget-friendly and dietary-conscious meals for your next event.
Mississippi
Maati Jone Primm is the third-generation owner of Louise Marshall’s Music and Bookstore, which is named after her grandmother. It is considered the nation’s oldest operating bookstore owned by a Black person. The store has been located on Farish Street throughout its 80-year history.
Missouri
Ethel J. Davis is the owner of VZD Capital Management. It is the first registered investment advisory firm in the midwest owned by a Black woman.
Nebraska
Koko’s African Braiding Salon has been serving the Omaha area for over 15 years.
Nevada
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Café Lola in Las Vegas, deemed the “Most Instagrammable Restaurant in Nevada,” is both Black-owned and Latina-owned by Lin Jerome and her co-founder, Alexandra Lourdes
New Hampshire
Joede Brown is the creative director and founder of Black Pearl Creations, a handcrafted bespoke scarf company.
New Jersey
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Rashena Burroughs is a triple threat. She owns the Blueberry Café Juice Bar and Vegan Grille, dessert spot Zucchini Bar, and AquaPHit, a gym and “water bar.”
New Mexico
Laura Johnson, MSN, FNP, is the owner of About Face Med Spa. Her services extend beyond New Mexico into Nevada, California, and Hawaii.
New York
Beatrice Ajaero pays homage to her Nigerian roots at her Astoria, Queen’s based restaurant Nneji.
North Carolina
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Morgan Siegel is the owner of Jeddah’s Tea, a tearoom in Durham specializing in ethically made, vegan-friendly teas from around the world.
North Dakota
Whitney Walker is an esthetician in downtown Fargo and operates Beauty Bar by Whitney. Her monthly Wax Club offers an all-inclusive hair removal package.
Ohio
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Columbus’ residents can pick up 100% plant-based vegan food from Shanna Dean’s The Lifestyle Café.
Oklahoma
Marshelle Walker of Desserts by Marshelle caters and hosts cooking classes in Oklahoma City.
Oregon
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Erica is the chef and owner of Erica’s Soul Food, a food cart serving meals that she grew up on in her home state of Georgia.
Pennsylvania
Harriett’s Bookshop on Girard Avenue in Fishtown has a cool, indie vibe thanks to owner Jeannine A. Cook.
Rhode Island
Garden of Eve, owned and operated by chef Yveline Bontemp serves authentic Haiti dishes.
South Carolina
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Folami Geter is the owner and chef of A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen in Columbia, South Carolina.
South Dakota
Del-Inkka Beaudion is a passionate cook who opened Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen in Sioux Falls in 2018. It started as a food truck in 2015.
Tennessee
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Bariangela Segovia and Maliyah Bass are the owners of Nashville’s first and only rolled ice cream food truck Rolled4Ever and as of October 2020, a physical location where they serve the handcrafted treats.
Texas
Chef LaToya Larking, serves her take on tamales with a dash of soul as part of her Black Girl Tamales community.
Utah
Debbie Glanton started Lovee’s Cakes by selling cakes and desserts from her home kitchen.
Virginia
Chef Ida Mamusu’s Africanne on Main serves buffet-style West African cuisine.
Washington
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
Sukie Jefferson is a native of Seattle and the founder of Sukie’s Candle Co., 100 percent premium soy, hand poured candles.
West Virginia
Latoya Jones launched the magazine Black Business Now in 2020 in a bid to support and provide resources for Black businesses.
Wisconsin
Adija Smith ran a bakery from her home for about ten years before Confectionately Yours opened its doors in Milwaukee.
Related: 50 in 50: Black Travel Content Creators To Follow Across The Globe