The Oldest Black-owned Business in the United States Expands to the Carolinas with New Offices in Charlotte and Raleigh
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co., the oldest Black-owned business in the country, recently announced that it has expanded its operations to the Carolinas with new offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. In addition, as the country prepares to celebrate Black History Month, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Company–recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the oldest continuously Black-owned and operated business in the United States–will be the first Black-owned agent to receive the northAmerican® Van Lines Agent of the Year award. The award presentation will be held February 7 at the company's new office in Charlotte,
African American Entrepreneurs Head SPAC in $126.5 Million IPO to Acquire Black-owned Firms
Shawn Rochester, who authored the spellbinding book “The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America,” and Robin Watkins, a highly regarded financial and operations accountant, have made Wall Street history. And the two are poised to break through more barriers in the financial world. Their latest venture, Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisitions Inc. (MEOA), has raised $126.5 million they’ve earmarked to help minority businesses and enterprises grow and prosper through mergers and acquisitions. “It’s amazing to be a part of this,” Watkins, a Drexel University graduate, stated. While Rochester serves
First Black-Owned Streaming Channel Announced
By Danielle Sanders, Chicago Defender Interim Managing Editor Polaris, the 100% black-owned television, digital and social media platform, today announced the launch of its first free ad-supported streaming TV channel (FAST), to debut on VIZIO’s SmartCast platform. Created by digital media pioneer and legendary journalist, Rahman J. Dukes, Polaris exists to uncover and share stories created by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and authentically share Hip-Hop and Black culture with the world. With guidance from the Polaris board, iconic media personality Sway Calloway (MTV) and music
TruSo, a Black-owned Social Networking App Set to Launch
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A new app could end the so-called “Black Twitter” experience and allow African Americans their own social media platform. Backed by celebrities Sway Calloway, Kareem Grimes, Terrell Owens, and Miki Barber, the Black-owned social networking app, TruSo, is poised to debut. “I believe in the power of community – especially cultural communities,” Matthew Newman, the founder and CEO of TruSo noted in a news release. “As it relates to the Black community, the entire world has witnessed what we can accomplish when we join
Billionaires Row: The Only Black-Owned Champagne Brand in the World
(News Source: www.miamitimesonline.com) – By Selena Stanley Miami Times Staff Writer – When Jay-Z sold 50% of the luxury Champagne brand Ace of Spades, Billionaires Row officially became the only majority Black-owned Champagne brand in the world. With a valuation of approximately $600 million across all of its brands, which include Champagne, a signature cognac, clothing and other goods – the luxury lifestyle company is on track to becoming one of the most recognizable Black-owned conglomerates, according to co-founders William Benson and Patrick Ductant. Breaking into the multimillion-dollar spirits industry, garnering a celebrity
Target to spend over $2B with Black-owned companies by 2025
by Sherri KoladeMichigan Chronicle Target announced recently to spend over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, Black Enterprise reported. Target made the pledge to add more products to its shelves from over 500 Black-owned businesses and work with more Black retail companies to enhance retail operations and shopping experiences, according to the article. Target will also introduce new opportunities to assist its Black-owned resources in growth for their businesses. Those resources entail a new team geared to giving vendors support to help propel Black-owned companies optimize their brands
Wells Fargo Makes Major Investment in Six Black-Owned Banks
By Stacy M. Brown The banking giant has selected six African American minority depository institutions (MDIs) for equity investments. Broadway Federal Bank in Los Angeles, Carver Federal Savings Bank in New York, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust in Nashville, Commonwealth National Bank in Mobile, Ala., M&F Bank in Durham, N.C., and Optus Bank in Columbia, S.C., are receiving critical equity capital, because of Well Fargo’s generous contribution. The financial commitment structure means that the investments are in the form of critical equity capital, which is foundational to the MDIs’ ability
L’Oreal USA Partners with NAACP to Launch Grant Program for Black-owned Small Businesses
L’Oréal USA today announced the creation of its Inclusive Beauty Fund, a new grant program presented in partnership with the NAACP, the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Through this inaugural round of funding, L’Oréal USA will award 30 one-time grants of $10,000 each to Black-owned small businesses, Black entrepreneurs, and professional services in all sectors of the U.S. beauty industry. As small businesses in America have been hit the hardest by the economic fallout of the pandemic and Black-owned businesses are shutting down twice as fast as others according to NBER, L’Oréal USA teamed up with the NAACP to identify the most promising Black-owned small businesses and
American Express Commits $2.5 M to 100 Black Female Owned Businesses
Did you know that woman-founded businesses received a mere 2.8 percent of venture capital dollars in 2019, with female founders of color receiving just 0.32 percent? A couple big organizations are working to change that for the long-term. Co-Founder of Kazmaleje (pronounced Cosmology), LaToya Stirrup is one of 100 women selected by American Express and IFundWomen of Color for its 100 for 100 campaign that supports black female entrepreneurs. All recipients of the grant program will be awarded $25,000 plus 100 days of business mentorship. Kazmaleje, founded in Miami,
Atlanta Hawks strike historic agreement with Black-owned banks
The Hawks become the first professional sports team to secure financing with Black-owned banks for $35 million refinancing of Emory Sports Medicine Complex Transaction facilitated with the support of the National Black Bank Foundation and Black Bank Fund to help bolster Black banks and the communities they serve Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks announced that it has agreed to refinance the construction loan for the Emory Sports Medicine Complex with a syndicate of Black-owned banks. The $35 million loan marks the first time a professional sports franchise has had