Skip to main content

Celebrating Black Excellence in Entrepreneurship


Black History Month honors the legacy of Black pioneers while celebrating the ongoing brilliance of Black women entrepreneurs. Our contributions to business and innovation are a testament to the strength, resilience, and sparkle we embody every day. This blog highlights the importance of Black excellence in entrepreneurship and offers practical steps to build on this legacy in your own journey.


Strength: Honoring the Past to Empower the Present

Black excellence begins with recognizing the achievements of trailblazing entrepreneurs who paved the way. From Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black woman millionaire in the U.S., to modern leaders like Bozoma Saint John, Black women have consistently transformed industries with their ingenuity and tenacity.

  • Step 1: Learn the history. Explore the stories of Black women who broke barriers in their fields.
  • Step 2: Use their journeys as inspiration to fuel your own goals.
  • Tip: Read biographies or watch documentaries about iconic Black women entrepreneurs.

Example: Tamara, a boutique owner, felt stuck in her business until she read about Madam C.J. Walker’s relentless drive. Inspired, she revamped her marketing strategy, leading to a 40% increase in sales.

Research Insight: Acknowledging historical role models enhances motivation and a sense of purpose (Dweck, 2006).


Resilience: Overcoming Barriers to Success

Resilience is the cornerstone of Black excellence. Despite systemic challenges, Black women have shown remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive.

  • Step 1: Identify obstacles in your business and seek creative solutions.
  • Step 2: Build a support network of like-minded entrepreneurs for advice and encouragement.

Example: Denise, a freelance photographer, was unable to obtain funding for new equipment. Instead of giving up, she attended a local grant-writing workshop and secured funding to expand her business.

Tip: Resilience grows when you actively seek opportunities to learn and collaborate.

Research Insight: Support networks improve resilience by providing resources and emotional encouragement (Luthar et al., 2000).


Sparkle: Celebrating Your Unique Journey

Your sparkle lies in your authenticity and the joy you bring to your business. Celebrate not just where you’re going but how far you’ve come.

  • Step 1: Reflect on your achievements, big and small, and share them with your community.
  • Step 2: Infuse your culture, creativity, and personality into your brand.

Example: Alicia, a life coach, hosted a virtual celebration for her clients to reflect on their 2024 wins. This not only built stronger client relationships but also reinvigorated her passion for her work.

Tip: Create a gratitude journal to document your wins and moments of joy.

Research Insight: Celebrating small victories enhances self-efficacy and motivation (Amabile & Kramer, 2011).


Practical Steps to Embody Black Excellence

  1. Honor the Past: Learn about Black women entrepreneurs who inspire you.
  2. Build Resilience: Embrace challenges and actively seek solutions.
  3. Celebrate Yourself: Reflect on your achievements and infuse your authenticity into your brand.

Black excellence is a legacy you carry forward every day through your strength, resilience, and sparkle. Share your journey with pride, knowing you’re part of a powerful community making history.

Subscribe to this blog and join our village of strong, resilient women who celebrate themselves and each other. Don’t forget to get your copy of the SRS: Entrepreneurship Devotional Book Bundle. Let’s continue to sparkle together!

#SparkleSparkle


Dr. ReRe


References

Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Review Press.

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.

Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71(3), 543-562.

Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PEARLs and TAXES

Good day Pearls , Now that the holiday season has come to an end our next big endeavor is TAX TIME! Of course, tax time tends to overwhelm the best of us but fiscal responsibility for business owners and individuals should not be frightful as long as you are preparing yourself accordingly. Though you may be quite familiar with filing your own taxes, don’t assume you are an expert with your small business tax responsibilities. In 2020, Pearls are Financially Strong, Resilient and Luminous. We, women small business owners need to ensure that we are rendering our businesses/side hustles healthy in all fiscal avenues. To prepare for this blog entry, I took the opportunity to speak with a Certified Public Accountant in the DC Metropolitan area with over 20+ years of experience to give some pointers on keeping your hustle solid and fiscally sound. Mr. Robert L. Waller, CPA/CFE , was eager to provide direction for Women Small Business Owners on a few questions regarding responsibiliti...

Navigating Leadership with Resilience: Strategies for Work-Life Balance and Financial Wellness

In today’s dynamic professional landscape, women leaders often find themselves at the intersection of high-stakes responsibilities and personal commitments. Balancing these demands requires intentional strategies promoting professional success and individual well-being.  Establish Clear Boundaries and Prioritize Tasks Setting definitive boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. Utilizing organizational tools, such as digital calendars, to allocate specific times for work tasks and personal activities can help maintain this balance. By prioritizing tasks and respecting these boundaries, leaders can enhance productivity and prevent burnout.         2. Leverage Technology for Efficiency Embracing technological tools can streamline operations and improve efficiency. Project management software and communication platforms facilitate better task management and delegation, allowing leaders to focus on strategic decision-making rather than getting bogge...

The Cost of Overdelivering: How to Reclaim Your Time and Talent.

  By Dr. Dori B. Cook | NACR3: Strength. Resilience. Sparkle. You do the most. Not because you’re trying to impress. Not because you’re trying to outshine anyone. But because you’ve been conditioned to prove your worth through your output. And let’s be real: overdelivering got you here. But it won’t get you there —to freedom, sustainability, joy, or equity. In the world of Black women entrepreneurs, overdelivering is often disguised as excellence . But what it really creates is exhaustion, entitlement from others, and erosion of your boundaries. Let’s talk about it. What Overdelivering Actually Costs You Yes, it earns praise. It may even temporarily increase revenue or referrals. But over time, the costs begin to stack: Real Cost Hidden Impact Undercharging          Devalues your skill, normalizes burnout pricing People-Pleasing          Trains clients to expect beyond your scope Self-Neglect         ...