Highlighting Black-Led Business Support Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

When we talk about strengthening communities, Black-led nonprofits and social enterprises play a critical role. These organizations are often built by people with lived experience who deeply understand the unique challenges that Black entrepreneurs face. They create pathways that combine access to capital, culturally competent training, and networks of support that make a real difference.

Why does this matter?

For generations, Black entrepreneurs have faced barriers to resources, mentorship, and funding. Traditional business support systems are not always designed with their experiences in mind. Black-led organizations step in to bridge those gaps. They do more than provide business training—they are more likely to create programs that align with unique experiences faced by Black business owners, understand unwritten rules of conduct and communication, honor culture, center equity, and nurture the whole entrepreneur.

Throughout my decades in business support, I've had the opportunity to meet founders, CEOs, and Executive Directors of numerous programs. For the remainder of the year, I will showcase some of those engaged in innovative work. To begin, in honor of National Black Philanthropy Month and Black Business Month, here are several Black-led organizations conducting innovative work across the nation:

• Cllctivly - Based in Baltimore, Cllctivly is reimagining philanthropy through collective impact and crowdfunding. By channeling dollars directly into Black social enterprises, they strengthen community-led solutions and amplify local impact.

• BLAZE Group - BLAZE Group takes a fresh approach to supporting entrepreneurs, blending business education with community-building. Their programs focus on helping women of color founders lead with confidence, scale sustainably, and grow their influence.

• MORTAR - Launched by grassroots organizers in Cincinnati, MORTAR was designed to create opportunities for entrepreneurs who were historically left out of the conversation. Their culturally competent curriculum gives retail and lifestyle business owners the tools to thrive in their neighborhoods.

• Midlands African Chamber - This Chamber builds connections between African immigrants and African American entrepreneurs. By leveraging programs like Kauffman’s FastTrac, they help founders launch and grow businesses while also fostering cultural pride and collaboration.

• The Porter House KC - In Kansas City, The Porter House KC serves as a retail incubator that pairs practical business education with data-driven strategies. They make entrepreneurship more accessible by providing resources that are grounded in the realities of their community.

• OmniCircle - OmniCircle is more than an entrepreneurship hub—it’s a holistic support system. Their model blends business development with leadership training, professional development, and community building, ensuring founders are supported as whole people, not just as business owners.

Moving Forward

These organizations remind us that business support is not one-size-fits-all. By creating culturally relevant, community-rooted spaces, they’re proving that entrepreneurship can be a tool for equity and transformation. Supporting their work means investing in stronger local economies and more inclusive opportunities for the next generation of business leaders.