Black entrepreneurs are bringing innovation to diverse industries, tackling challenges to improve the lives of the underserved. Their pioneering perspectives and utilization of technology are improving the quality of life for people and communities.
Black entrepreneurs are transforming entire industries. Their unique problem-solving approaches are building profitable ventures that address systemic issues, create opportunities, and inspire future generations. These innovators are disrupting industries with groundbreaking startups and fresh approaches, all while overcoming challenges like accessing capital.
Technology: Building the Future
In the tech industry, Black entrepreneurs are bridging gaps in representation and innovation. Goodr, founded by Jasmine Crowe in 2017, uses its app to connect food industry businesses with nonprofits. The company’s mission is to “feed more and waste less” and the company leverages technology to make hunger relief solutions more effective and efficient through data collection, route optimization, and online registration. Organizations can order a food surplus pickup via the app and track it to donation. The data enables delivering real-time social and environmental analytics. Crowe was the 35th Black woman to raise more than $1 million in venture capital for a full-scale waste management and hunger relief company.
Another trailblazer is Brian Brackeen, who founded Kairos to tackle diversity bias in AI in the field of facial recognition. The developer and his team are creating an inclusive AI ecosystem with unbiased algorithms by curating datasets representative of various genders, ethnicities, and age groups. Kairos can recognize faces in photos, videos, and the real world. The company has clients in FinTech, Education, Retail, Facilities Management, and more. Now a global company, the company is venture-backed.
Finance: Redefining Access to Capital
The finance sector, often criticized for its systemic barriers, is being reshaped by Black entrepreneurs. They are creating platforms and promoting financial inclusion and literacy. Tanya Van Court, the founder of Goalsetter, is a prime example. Her app combines saving tools with financial education, targeting families and young people. By gamifying savings and offering culturally relevant financial content, Van Court is empowering Black families to build generational wealth. The company won the FinTech Breakthrough Award for “Best Financial Education Platform.”
Another key player is Abadesi Osunsade, the founder of Hustle Crew, a platform that provides resources and coaching for underrepresented groups in tech and finance. Hustle Crew’s mission is to democratize access to high-growth careers, helping individuals from diverse backgrounds break into industries that have historically excluded them.
In the investment space, Henri Pierre-Jacques and Jarrid Tingle, co-founders of Harlem Capital, are reshaping venture capital. Their firm aims to invest in 1,000 diverse founders over 20 years, providing funding and mentorship to help these startups scale. By prioritizing underrepresented voices, Harlem Capital challenges the status quo and diversifies the investment ecosystem.
Health: Addressing Disparities
Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect Black communities, and Black entrepreneurs are stepping up to address these inequities. Dr. Ivor Horn, a pediatrician and health equity advocate, is leveraging technology to close gaps in healthcare access. As the former Chief Medical Officer at Accolade, she has worked to create patient-centric healthcare solutions that prioritize personalized care and equitable access. Dr. Horn is an angel investor and start-up advisor and is currently Google's Director Of Health Equity & Product Inclusion.
In mental health, Bea Arthur, a Columbia University-trained psychotherapist and the founder of The Difference, is revolutionizing access to therapy. The Difference is the first on-demand therapy service. The teletherapy platform connects users with licensed therapists, offering affordable and accessible mental health support. As a pioneer in the e-therapy movement, Arthur’s work is particularly significant for Black communities, where mental health issues are often stigmatized or overlooked. Moving therapy online has broadened the reach of therapists.
Education: Empowering the Next Generation
The education sector is another area where Black entrepreneurs are making significant strides. Chris Emdin, an educator and founder of the HipHopEd movement, has reimagined how STEM subjects are taught in schools. HipHopEd is a multi-platform and cross-curricular initiative that educates stakeholders in education and related fields about the intersection of education and hip-hop. Emdin engages students who might otherwise feel disconnected from traditional teaching methods by integrating hip-hop culture into the curriculum. His approach makes STEM more accessible and celebrates the cultural identities of his students. Dr. Christopher Emdin is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is also the Director of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the STEAM DREAM and Ideal Lab.
Frederick Hutson, the founder of Pigeonly, is addressing educational and communication gaps for incarcerated individuals. His platform, accessible on a smartphone, provides low-cost communication tools for families to stay connected with loved ones in prison. Services on the app include sending photos, postcards, letters, greeting cards, and information, plus getting inexpensive talk time. By prioritizing education and family support, Pigeonly aims to reduce recidivism and create pathways to success for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Melissa Bradley, co-founder of 1863 Ventures (being renamed New Majority Ventures), is working to bridge the gap between entrepreneurship and education. Her organization provides training, mentorship, and resources to underrepresented founders, helping them navigate the complexities of building and scaling businesses. By fostering a continuous learning culture, Bradley equips Black entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. The goal is to reach $100 billion in new wealth generation with the support of entrepreneurs.
Bringing New Perspectives to Traditional Industries, Overcoming Challenges, and Looking Ahead
Black entrepreneurs are disrupting industries and revolutionizing them by bringing fresh perspectives to traditional sectors. Their lived experiences and cultural insights allow them to identify unmet needs and craft innovative solutions others might overlook.
For instance, Tristan Walker’s Bevel razor was a response to a specific problem faced by Black men. Dr. Michael Vincent Smith is a former heart surgeon who founded Marti Health, which strives to improve the quality, consistency, and equity of health outcomes for socially at-risk populations and is currently enrolling high-risk patients with sickle cell disease. Their impact on these industries is profound and inspiring.
Of course, while these Black entrepreneurs are driving innovation, they also face unique challenges. Funding remains a significant hurdle. Black founders receive a disproportionately small percentage of venture capital funding, a gap that organizations like Harlem Capital and Blavity’s AfroTech aim to close. Networking events, pitch competitions, and accelerator programs tailored to Black entrepreneurs are helping to level the playing field, but bias still exists in funding opportunities.
Nevertheless, as these trailblazers continue to break barriers, their impact will reverberate across communities and industries, driving progress and equity on a global scale. In technology, finance, health, and education, Black entrepreneurs are innovating and challenging the status quo. Their work underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion as catalysts for meaningful change. By supporting these entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and recognition, it is easier to imagine a future that celebrates and leverages all talents.