31 Brilliant Black Businesswomen to Support During National Women’s Small Business Month

October is National Women’s Small Business Month #NWSBM.

There are at least 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Women-owned firms employ 8.9 million people, and generate receipts of $1.4 trillion according to the Survey of Business Owners (SBO).

Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in America. An American Express Open report found that the number of businesses owned by African American women has grown 322% since 1997.

The rate of entrepreneurship in America has been down since the late 70s. As the U.S. economy continues to recover from the “Great Recession” black women are leading the way in ensuring our economy has the economic dynamism that entrepreneurship brings.

Earlier this month, the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)unveiled a new report prepared by Walker’s Legacy: Black Women Entrepreneurs: Past and Present Conditions of Black Women’s Business Ownership. The report gives a snapshot of details the findings of black women business owners who participated in three research events earlier this year.

Black women have always been the center of their communities. Increasingly, they are at the center of the U.S. economy. There are 1.5 million black women business owners; in every state and every sector the economy.

Starting businesses is important, ensuring they have the capital, guidance, and training to scale an hire is next step.

Here are 31 brilliant black businesswomen you can support during National Women’s Small Business Month.

Nichole Porcher — Buy From a Black Woman: Brings awareness to Black Women business owners and the people who support them.

Bianca Lambert — MaeB: Mae B is a lifestyle brand dedicated to creating positive imagery and well made products for women of color. Mae B was founded in 2013 by Bianca Lambert after growing tired of not finding stationery that represented her as a woman of color and devoted fashionista. The brand has since expanded into travel accessories, home goods, and much more.

Maci Peterson — OnSecondThought: OnSecondThought is a mobile app that lets you take back text messages BEFORE they get to the other person’s phone.

Rahama Wright — SheaYeleen: Shea Yeleen is a social impact company that develops shea butter creams, balms, and soaps that create living wage jobs for women in Ghana. The company was founded by Ghanaian-American and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Rahama Wright. Shea Yeleen products are currently distributed through select Whole Foods Markets, Amazon, and the company website (www.sheayeleen.com).

Natalie Cofield — Walker’s Legacy / Urban Co-Lab: Named in honor of Madam C. J. Walker the first self-made female millionaire in US history, Walker’s Legacy exists to cultivate an eco-system of access designed to inspire, equip and engage a global network of emerging and established businesswomen of color. Urban Co-Lab is an urban innovation focused coworking space and startup incubator designed for community changemakers and innovators.

Brandy Coffey — Sweetlycreated4u: Soy scented handmade candles, car fresheners, and room fresheners.

Jessica O. Matthews — Uncharted Play: Creates energy-harnessing play products such as soccer balls (SOCCKET) and jump ropes (PULSE) that generate light after minutes of play. Uncharted Play also has an educational platform that combines energy-generating play products, the SOCCKET and PULSE with a “Think Out Of Bounds” STEM Curriculum that cultivates the creative confidence and social inventor in all of us. Uncharted Play has also developed M.O.R.E., aproprietary technology that places a customizable micro-generator into any product that moves, adding efficiency with off-grid energy adaptability.

Yolanda Williams — JustCurves: Just Curves is body-positive active-wear for women sizes 14–28.

Brit Fitzpatrick — Mentor Me / Geeked Memphis: MentorMe is an innovative provider of youth and small business mentorship software for programs of all sizes. MentorMe empowers programs and initiatives by combining cloud-based software and program best practices. Geeked Memphis is creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented techies, entrepreneurs, and creatives in Memphis.

Angela Rye — IMPACT Strategies: IMPACT Strategies is a classic political consulting and government relations boutique firm with a cutting edge approach to achieving client goals. Also, check out Angela’s commentary on TV.

Genese Jamilah — I Dont Do Clubs: Founded in 2011, I Don’t Do Clubs is an online community that specializes in social experiences for Black professionals. Check out IDDC events around the country.

Morgan DeBaun— Blavity: Blavity is built for and by passionate black millennials trying to add more balance to the way Black people are represented in media and culture. Sign up for the weekly email here.

Nicole Sanchez — eCreditHero: eCreditHero is a web app that helps consumers repair their credit for free. 108 Million Americans can’t get access to high quality credit because of their scores and 8 out of 10 credit reports contain an error.

April Reign — Broadway Black / #OscarsSoWhite: April is the creator of the viral #OscarsSoWhite. She is also managing editor BroadwayBlack.com, a site dedicated to highlighting the achievements and successes of African-American theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage.

Natalie Moss — Millennial Week: Millennial Week is a first of its kind event series produced by and for Millennial leaders, innovators and attendees. The mission of Millennial Week is to promote and present ideas and trends reflecting the impact of Millennials on culture and society. Check out Millennial Week October 10–15.

Julia Clavo — Spicy Dark Cosmetics: Spicy Dark produces beauty products made in the United States. Products are free from Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl, Phthalate, and Camphor. The products are mineral based and paraben-free.

Gwen Jimmere- NATURALICIOUS: Collection of multi-tasking + non-toxic hair care helps busy beauties rock fabulous hair in a fraction of the time. Safe for everyone in the family — from adults to children to babies.

Linda Green — Ya-Ka-Mein Lady: Ms. Linda is world famous as the guardian of the secret juice recipe in her Ya-Ka-Mein. Taught how to make the broth by her mother Shirley Green, Ms. Linda keeps the tradition by lacing the broth with the perfect mixes of spices — not quite Asian, not quite Southern.

Phiderika Foust — PowerMoves: PowerMoves takes a comprehensive approach by supporting entrepreneurs of color from the concept stage all the way through the process of growing a profitable business prepared for an acquisition. Intensive bootcamps and an accelerator take a learn-by-doing approach through providing 20–30 startup founders with the information, guidance, and network necessary to build viable business models designed for exponential growth.

Alisha Fitts — Manicures-N-Motion: Mobile manicures company providing on-site manicures, nail parties, spa parties, and pedicures at home, offices, and events.

Erica Nicole — YFS Magazine: YFS Magazine is a digital magazine for startups, small business news and entrepreneurial culture. Intended for seed, startup and growth companies, YFS Magazine assembles innovators, startup enthusiasts, successful entrepreneurs, global business leaders, academic researchers and writers to deliver a ‘Fortune 500 Simplified’ perspective into the world of popular entrepreneurship culture.

Fonta Gilliam — Sou Sou: Sou Sou is a fintech company. The company developed a mobile app that provides an alternative financing solution for saving, borrowing, and investing money when traditional loans and private equity are not an option.

Psyche Terry — Urban Intimates / Urban Hydration: Intimate apparel and bath brand available in Macy’s, WalMart, and other stores nationwide.

Kim Williams — Shuga Bebe Couture: Premium nursing pillows, organic cotton baby clothing and muslin swaddling blanket nursing covers designed to make caring for babies easier for mothers.

Aniyia L. Williams — Tinsel: Tinsel creates electronics that allow women to enjoy tech without sacrificing their style. The company’s feature product, “the Dipper” is a jewelry piece with the full functionality of headphones integrated into it.

Jesica Averhart and Dee McDougal — Black Wall Street Homecoming: Black Wall Street (BWS)celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship within diverse, multicultural communities. Created as an extension of what was built during the historic Black Wall Street heyday, BWS aims to increase the number of minority entrepreneurs that grow successful, scalable businesses. Check out the Black Wall Street Homecoming October 12–14 in Durham, NC.

Keziah Okonkwo — Snappee: The Revolutionary snap off hair technology allows you to style your hair without snagging your precious locks.

Tara Reed — Kollecto: Kollecto brings you personalized art recommendations you’ll love — without the $10,000+ budget or exorbitant hourly rates charged by professional art advisors.

Sarah Ribner — PiperWai: PiperWai is the first naturally powerful, aluminum-free deodorant that uses activated charcoal to absorb wetness and fight odor. Natural ingredients like organic coconut oil, shea butter, and pure vitamin E soothe even the most sensitive skin.

Tasha Branham — Naturally Smitten: Educates women with type 4 hair and provides premium products exclusive to this unique and beautiful texture.

Dawn Dickson — Flat Out of Heels: Rollable flats are stylish, comfortable, durable and compact enough to fit in a small clutch purse.

This list is 31 of 1.5 million. Add your favorite black businesswoman to the comments…