11 Inspiring Black Entrepreneurs And Business Women

Throughout history, Black women have been a driving force in redefining industries, from … [+] entrepreneurship to leadership roles across various sectors.

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Throughout history, Black women have been a driving force in redefining industries, from entrepreneurship to leadership roles across various sectors. This list of inspiring Black businesswomen honors their remarkable achievements and ideas while highlighting their ongoing impact in revolutionizing the business landscape and their contributions to business, the economy, and culture. These entrepreneurs are still breaking barriers today, building successful companies, and creating opportunities for future generations of innovators.

Their contributions shatter stereotypes and demonstrate the power of women in leadership, showing that with vision, support, a plan, and the right resources, they can lead and innovate in any field. Here are eleven inspiring women in business and the industries they have made their mark in:

Architecture & Construction

Deryl McKissack; image courtesy of www.mckinc.com

Deryl McKissack

1. Deryl McKissack, CEO of McKissack & McKissack, leads the nation’s oldest African American-owned design and construction firm. As a fifth-generation builder, she carries forward the legacy of her ancestor, Moses McKissack, who was born into slavery and learned the building trade while working as a brickmaker. Today, her firm has played a role in over $15 billion worth of projects nationwide, shaping skylines and communities while breaking barriers in an industry that has historically excluded Black professionals—especially Black women.

Her impact extends beyond business success. By bringing innovation, and design excellence to major projects, McKissack has helped redefine what leadership looks like in architecture, engineering, and construction. Her firm’s work not only advances the trades industry but also paves the way for more equitable opportunities, proving that representation drives progress.

Her firm’s work advances the trades industry while paving the way for more inclusive and equitable opportunities, proving that representation drives progress. Black women’s leadership in business is critical. It challenges outdated norms, fuels innovation, and helps make spaces more reflective of the diverse communities that live and work in them. When more Black women take the lead in these industries, they create opportunities for the next generation, driving a more dynamic and forward-thinking future.

Agriculture, Sustainability and Clean Beauty

Ciara Imani May, Founder of Rebundle.co

Photo of Ciara Imani May courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg and www.rebundle.co

2. Ciara Imani May, Founder of Rebundle.co and a pioneer in science and technology, has created a safe, non-toxic, plant-based alternative to traditional braiding hair. Her biggest success is bridging the gap between lifestyle, function, safety, and sustainability.

A product like this contributes to innovation and representation in STEM by addressing a long-overlooked issue in the beauty industry. It also has the potential to support Black Agriculturists through the sourcing of raw, environmentally friendly materials and could save the lives of millions of women who are at risk of high exposure to unregulated, cancer-causing chemicals commonly found in braiding hair. The Guardian reports that a 2025 analysis revealed that over 80% of more than 4,000 beauty products marketed to Black women contain at least one moderately hazardous ingredient, with many containing multiple such chemicals.

Ciara Imani May exemplifies why Black representation is so important in business. When Black innovators lead, they create solutions that reflect the needs and experiences of their communities. They challenge industries to improve, advocate for safer and more ethical products, and open doors for economic opportunities centered on sustainability and equity. Her work underscores the power of representation, demonstrating that when Black entrepreneurs are supported, entire industries evolve for the better.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: (Exclusive Coverage) (Editorial Use Only) Tina Knowles and … [+] Beyoncé celebrate the launch of her hair care line, CÉCRED, with an intimate gathering at The Revery LA on February 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Dakdouk/Parkwood Media/WireImage via Parkwood )

WireImage via Parkwood

3. Beyoncé, Founder and Chair, and Tina Knowles, Vice Chair, are the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind Cécred, a clean hair care brand committed to ingredient transparency and ethical sourcing. Formulated without potentially harmful ingredients like artificial dyes, parabens, sulfates, silicones, and mineral oil, Cécred adheres to strict global safety standards and remains cruelty-free. Their definition of “clean” prioritizes both health-conscious formulations and responsible sourcing, setting a new standard in an industry where such transparency is often lacking when it comes to Black consumers.

Inspired by their family’s deep-rooted legacy in hair care, Cécred is more than just a brand; it’s a continuation of the Knowles family’s tradition of celebrating and preserving Black hair. Their biggest success to date is solidifying the largest hair care partnership in beauty retail history with Ulta, a moment that cements their influence and heritage in the industry. This achievement is significant in the hair care market, where Black consumers spend billions each year on hair care products. On average, Black women spend about $1,000 annually on beauty and hair care—roughly $83 per month—which adds up to billions collectively. Yet many products are created and owned by companies outside the community.

Cécred’s approach is innovative because it challenges the status quo of an industry that has long lacked regulation, when it comes to products formulated for Black hair. Too often, harmful ingredients are found in products marketed to Black consumers, with little oversight or accountability. By centering health, science, and cultural heritage, Beyoncé and Tina Knowles are setting a new precedent for what Black-owned beauty brands can achieve.

Their leadership further drives the point of why representation is so important. When Black entrepreneurs take ownership of the products designed for their community, it ensures authenticity, better quality, and a stronger commitment to the well-being of consumers. Cécred is proof that when Black creators lead, the industry follows

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 05: Olivia Watkins and Karen Washington attend the 2023 James Beard … [+] Restaurant And Chef Awards at Lyric Opera Of Chicago on June 05, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for The James Beard Foundation)

Getty Images for The James Beard Foundation

4. Olivia Watkins and Karen Washington are Agriculturists and Activists who teamed up to create the Black Farmers Fund. They have secured over $11 million in funding and are successfully supporting Black farmers, business owners, and land stewards. This is important because supporting decentralized leadership promotes community-led decision-making within the food justice space, improves racial equity, and encourages autonomy in the food ecosystem by empowering local food actors and prioritizing their interests. This approach benefits society by driving community impact and cooperation, building strong relationships, and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and resources within the community. These efforts lead to better outcomes in informing public policy on production, distribution, and access to healthy, economical, and culturally relevant foods in Black communities, while reinforcing long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Additionally, they contribute to strengthening supply chain networks, creating more adaptable and equitable food systems.

Black women’s representation in farming and business is vital to our society achieving more sustainability because their contributions and ideas continue to promote equitable opportunities and systems that center and bring balance to our communities.

Health and Wellness

Maria Toler, Founding and Managing Partner at SteelSky Ventures.

Photo of Maria Toler courtesy of SteelSky Ventures

5. Maria Toler is leading one of the largest venture capital funds focused on women’s healthcare, SteelSky Ventures. She manages $73 million in total assets, and through her VC firm, she has invested in some of the most innovative companies in women’s healthcare.

Healthcare for women in the U.S. has long been underfunded, despite being one of the largest industries. Women’s health issues, such as maternal care, reproductive health, and gender-specific diseases, have historically received less attention and investment compared to other sectors, leaving many healthcare needs unmet. Advancing women’s health is essential not only for improving the quality of life for millions of women but also for addressing systemic inequities in healthcare access and outcomes. Interestingly, breakthroughs in women’s healthcare, like the recent discovery about pre-eclampsia, have revealed how conditions traditionally thought to affect women can be linked to factors involving men’s health as well.

Representation of Black women in both venture capital and healthcare is key to breakthroughs and transformation of these industries. When Black women are present in leadership roles, they bring valuable perspectives that are often not considered, making sure that healthcare innovations are truly reflective of everyone’s needs. This representation is necessary for promoting equitable and expanded access to healthcare. Additionally, Black women’s involvement in venture capital helps drive investments that support healthcare research and policies focused on the well-being of all women, not just a select few.

By prioritizing Black women’s leadership in healthcare and venture capital, we can guarantee that research and policies are informed by a wider range of experiences. This leads to more comprehensive and effective solutions, improving societal outcomes by addressing health disparities and promoting long-term wellness for so many more.

Tech, AI & Software Applications

Teasha Cable, CEO and Co-Founder

Photo of Teasha Cable courtesy of cmodel.io

6. Teasha Cable is the CEO and Co-Founder of CModel, a platform focused on Decision Intelligence for scaling enterprises. According to the CModel,io website, every decision captured makes the system smarter, creating powerful network effects that benefit the entire organization. Over the years, they have worked with companies of all sizes, from startups and nonprofits to large enterprises. They’ve found that many businesses struggle with fragmented decision-making, leading to missed opportunities and costly mistakes. CModel’s goal is to change that by bringing data and insights together, making decision-making smarter and more efficient.

What Teasha Cable is doing at her company is really innovative because Decision Intelligence combines data, artificial intelligence, and business strategy. This can helps organizations make decisions based on real-time insights, which not only improves efficiency but also opens up new growth opportunities. This is important in today’s world where businesses face more complex challenges and have access to more data than ever before. By streamlining decision-making, this technology helps companies make better choices, faster, while minimizing risks and maximizing potential.

Representation of Black women in the tech and data science spaces like this is important, as their leadership can drive more inclusive and accessible innovations that benefit all industries. When Black women lead in tech, their unique perspectives lead to solutions like CModel, which can support a wide variety of industries and communities. Access to smarter decision-making tools can also create more economic opportunities, particularly for Black-owned businesses. This kind of innovation helps level the playing field for entrepreneurs who may be excluded or limited in resources, giving everyone a better chance to participate and succeed.

Tameshia Rudd-Ridge, Founder of Kinkofa.

Photo of Tameshia Rudd-Ridge courtesy of Kinkofa.

7. Tameisha Rudd Ridge, Founder of Kinkofa, created a digital genealogy platform with her long-lost distant cousin, Jourdan Brunson, to bring generations together and uncover, record, and preserve Black family stories with pride and dignity. Kinkofa is the only digital family history platform intentionally designed to reconnect Black families. They partner with public and private organizations to curate, document, and highlight stories of people, places, and movements that are meaningful to Black people and culture, often left out of traditional genealogy methodologies. This company is innovative because it uses technology and history to help everyone better understand and appreciate the role African Americans have played in shaping history, past, present, and future.

Black women’s representation in genealogy, archiving, and database industries is important because their perspectives are often undervalued in these fields and their roles are limited. By having Black women lead and innovate in these spaces, they can make sure that Black history is documented accurately, thoroughly, and with the cultural sensitivity it deserves. Their work helps fill gaps in historical records and provides future generations with a richer, more complete understanding of their heritage.

Tynesia Boyea-Robinson, President and CEO of CapEQ

Photo of Tynesia Boyea-Robinson courtesy of Tyboyea.com

8. Tynesia Boyea-Robinson is the President and CEO of CapEQ, a firm that partners with companies and investors to bring equity into their day-to-day operations. Through consulting and advisory services, CapEQ helps businesses improve profits, performance, and growth while keeping social impact at the forefront. Tynesia has a long track record of creating change and supporting economic growth. She’s worked on key initiatives like the Social Innovation Fund and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As the founding Executive Director of Year Up National Capital Region (NCR), she raised $20M, earned recognition from President Obama, and helped thousands of low-income young adults land jobs that provided family-sustaining wages.

Having Black women in business is important because they bring fresh ideas and vision, and are often attuned to the needs of others. They use this awareness to create solutions that drive real change and help businesses better understand the markets they serve.

Hospitality, Restaurateurs, Tourism and Night life

Sheila Johnson, Entrepreneur, Producer, Philanthropist, sports entertainment Mogul, and Founder and … [+] CEO of Salamander Collection Hotels.

Photo of Sheila Johnson courtesy of Salamander Hotels

9. Sheila Johnson is the founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, and you may also know her as the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and America’s “first Black female billionaire” and sports mogul. She currently owns a leading hospitality company that manages luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Sheila has made a lasting impact on entertainment and culture for decades. What makes Salamander Collection so innovative is their ability to seek out, acquire, manage, and develop properties that reflect the authenticity of cities and popular cultural destinations. They incorporate these distinct elements into a one-of-a-kind experience at their properties, from food and culinary experiences to activities and décor.

Black women representation is important in the hospitality and entertainment industries because success stories in business and acquisitions are often associated with male-led management and investment teams. Sheila proves that women can also play an innovative and impactful role in these industries. You can learn more about here journey here.

Kim Prince, Owner of Hotville Chicken

Photo of Kim Prince courtesy of Hotvillechicken.com

10. Next time you enjoy Nashville hot chicken, think of Kim Prince, the owner and chef of LA’s Hotville Chicken. She comes from the family that helped popularize this iconic dish. The Prince family’s story dates back to the 1930s when Kim’s great-great-uncle, Thornton Prince, and his brothers started the hot chicken tradition in Nashville. This eventually led to the creation of the BBQ Hot Chicken Shack in 1936, which was later renamed Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in the 1980s.

The Prince family revolutionized how we prepare and eat chicken, sparking a global cult following and inspiring countless social media trends, with many restaurants, even those that don’t specialize in Nashville-style hot chicken, trying to recreate a similar flavor profile to the this family’s iconic recipe.

Kim Prince and her family have built a legacy of creativity, innovation, and undeniable influence in the culinary world. By continuing her family’s tradition, Kim has grown their business in LA and helped define today’s food culture, demonstrating the invaluable contributions Black women make to the restaurant industry.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: Issa Rae attends the 2023 Milken Institute Global Conference at … [+] The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

Getty Images

11. Issa Rae has established herself as a successful businesswoman with a diverse portfolio, including Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Windsor Hills, Lost Rooftop Lounge in downtown LA, and Somerville, a swank bar, lounge and stylish restaurant that has become a popular hotspot in the historic Slauson, View Park-Windsor Hills, and South LA area. She’s also launched her own Prosecco brand, Viarae, expanding her influence in the hospitality and beverage industries.

These businesses are more than just places to eat, drink, and unwind; they are cultural landmarks that celebrate community and connection. Issa’s success is particularly impactful because she’s breaking barriers in nightlife and hospitality, industries where Black women have historically been excluded, while also revitalizing formerly thriving areas around LA. Through her work, she’s demonstrating how Black women Entrepreneurs, with access to opportunities and resources, can transform community spaces into economic engines and tourist attractions, creating cultural experiences that reflect the vibrancy and history of their neighborhoods.

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