Every February, companies roll out their Black History Month campaigns. Social feeds flood with tributes, spotlights, and limited-edition collections wrapped in red, black, and green. But when March rolls around, the momentum fades. The hashtags slow down. The initiatives disappear.
The question is: What happens after February?
For me, and for so many Black entrepreneurs, the answer is simple—we keep building.
Black Entrepreneurship Isn’t a Trend. It’s a Legacy.
Black business ownership is not a seasonal movement. It’s not a box to check. It’s not a campaign. It’s a continuation of something that has always been. Black entrepreneurs have built businesses, ecosystems, and entire industries for generations—often with limited access to resources, capital, and networks. And yet, we thrive. We adapt. We create new paths when none exist.
At Extra Hands, my work is a direct reflection of that. The majority of my clients have been Black women entrepreneurs—powerhouses who are leading, scaling, and innovating every single day. My team spans continents, time zones, and backgrounds, but the thread that connects us is the same: a commitment to excellence, ownership, and legacy.
The Reality of Merit-Based Work
For Black entrepreneurs, success is rarely handed over or assumed—it’s earned, over and over again. We often have to work twice as hard to be seen, valued, or funded in the same spaces where others are given the benefit of the doubt. We do it without generational wealth, without the same institutional support, and often without the safety net that many other entrepreneurs take for granted.
And yet, we still rise. Not because of handouts or quotas, but because of pure skill, perseverance, and an undeniable ability to innovate under pressure.
If anything, Black business owners don’t just meet the bar—we exceed it, because we have to.
The Problem: Why Support Ends in March
Every February, companies highlight Black businesses, amplify voices, and roll out campaigns. But what happens when the month ends? The engagement drops. The funding slows. The partnerships fade.
For many Black entrepreneurs, February is a spike in visibility, but come March, we’re back to proving—again and again—why we belong at the table. Support shouldn’t be seasonal.
The Solution: What Real Support Looks Like
Black businesses don’t just exist in February. Neither should your support. If you’re serious about championing diversity and economic equity, the real work happens when there’s no hashtag reminding you to do it.
🔹 Hire beyond performative gestures – Black talent is everywhere. Invest in it, nurture it, and pay it fairly.
🔹 Fund Black businesses intentionally – That means not just during grant season or when there’s media attention. It means VC dollars, bank loans, partnerships, and procurement deals—year-round.
🔹 Engage Black-led businesses as strategic partners – Not as a diversity quota, but because we drive real impact. We create, we solve, we lead.
🔹 Refer, collaborate, and amplify Black businesses – Because relationships build wealth. And wealth builds legacy.
Keep That Energy Every Month
For me, Black History Month isn’t a pause to acknowledge my reality—it’s daily work. It’s how I operate, how I hire, and how I build.
If we want to see real change, support can’t start and stop with a calendar date. It has to be consistent, intentional, and built into how business is done—year-round.
So the real question is: What happens next?
Let’s talk about it: How do you support Black businesses beyond February? What’s one way you make sure your engagement is year-round? Drop your thoughts below. ⬇️
