Built in the Fire: What Black Women Entrepreneurs Teach Us

Some of the strongest businesses I know weren’t built in comfort. They were built in the middle of layoffs, bias, and “no” after “no,” and if you are a Black founder, you know exactly what I am talking about.

I recently read The Wall Street Journal piece on Black women entrepreneurs, which stopped me multiple times mid‑scroll. It was a reminder that even in a tough environment, Black women are still building and backing themselves.

A few data points that stood out to me:
- Black women are starting businesses at the fastest rate of any demographic in the U.S.

- Black women–owned businesses grew by roughly 13% last year, reaching close to 2.9 million businesses and about 18% of all women‑owned firms nationwide.

- This growth is happening while Black female unemployment is rising and venture capital to Black‑owned businesses has dropped to one of its lowest levels in a decade.

- Many of the founders are relying on savings, partnerships, and personal networks because outside capital is still hard to access.

As an angel investor and business strategist, I see this up close with the Black and Brown women founders I support and invest in. Founders who aren’t waiting for “perfect conditions” or permission. They’re building anyway and inviting the right partners to build with them.

Resilience plus ownership can move faster than the systems that weren’t designed with you in mind. Keep building.

About Devon Horace
Devon Horace is a business strategist, angel investor, and real estate investor focused on helping entrepreneurs and communities build long-term wealth through ownership, strategy, and disciplined growth.