(NEW YORK – July 24, 2025) – There’s a revolution happening in American entrepreneurship, and Black women are leading the charge. They’re launching businesses at historic rates—owning nearly 2.7 million businesses and contributing over $60 billion annually to the U.S. economy. But beyond the stats and headlines lies a deeper story of courage, vision, and unwavering purpose.

Enter Mandy Bowman, a powerhouse Brooklyn native and the founder of Official Black Wall Street (OBWS)—a digital platform and mobile app that has become one of the nation’s premier directories for Black-owned businesses. If you’re looking for a definition of modern Black entrepreneurial excellence, Mandy is it. The girl is a beast.

Building Legacy Through Innovation

Inspired by the history of Tulsa’s original Black Wall Street and driven by the economic disparities she witnessed in her own community, Mandy didn’t just talk about change—she built the platform to create it.

While working full-time as the social media manager at Essence Magazine, Mandy poured her off-hours, weekends, and soul into launching Official Black Wall Street. Her mission? To make it easy to find and support Black-owned businesses—and to revive the spirit of economic self-determination that once defined Tulsa’s Greenwood District.

In her words, “I felt like I was losing my sanity watching the news. The only thing that made me feel like I was making a difference was going home and influencing people to withhold their money from those who didn’t value us and instead invest it in our own.”

A Tech Tool Rooted in Purpose

Mandy launched OBWS as a website, but she didn’t stop there. She envisioned an app that could empower users nationwide to locate Black-owned businesses in their area, access deals, attend community events, and even learn the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship. With her Official Black Wall Street app, she created more than a directory—she created a digital movement.

Now, with a team of city reps, contributors, and developers, Mandy is scaling what began as a late-night side hustle into an essential resource for economic empowerment.

The Face of a Broader Movement

Mandy Bowman isn’t alone—she represents a wave of bold, brilliant, and barrier-breaking Black women who are turning frustration into fuel and dreams into dollars. From startups to boardrooms, from tech to wellness to finance, Black women are starting businesses faster than any other group in the country. Yet they often do so with far less access to capital and a higher rate of rejection from lenders and investors.

Still—they persist. Still—they thrive.

What makes Mandy’s story so powerful is that it reflects both the incredible heights Black women can reach and the structural challenges they’re still forced to navigate. It’s the grind, the vision, and the refusal to be left behind that make Black women entrepreneurs a force this economy can no longer afford to ignore.

A Celebration and a Call

Mandy Bowman is not just a founder. She’s a fighter, a visionary, a digital architect of the new Black economy. Her success with OBWS is proof of what happens when brilliance meets opportunity—and why it’s so crucial that we invest in, support, and uplift Black women entrepreneurs.

So here’s to Mandy—and to the millions of women like her whose stories may not yet be in the headlines but whose impact is undeniable.

At BlackUSA.News, we honor your hustle. We celebrate your excellence. And we commit to amplifying your voice.

Because when Black women build, we all rise.

🖤 Support the movement. Download the Official Black Wall Street app and discover the power of buying Black today.
📲 www.officialblackwallstreet.com
✊🏾 Follow, support, invest—and watch the legacy unfold.

Photo: Veteran journalist and publisher Cheryl Smith has been a powerful voice in Black media for over four decades. A Florida A&M alum, Smith is founder of I Messenger Enterprises, publisher of Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, and I Messenger. From The Dallas Weekly to KKDA-AM, she’s shaped news, mentored youth, and championed community causes. A trailblazer, educator, and award-winning leader, Smith continues to uplift voices and inspire change in North Texas and beyond.

(WASHINGTON, DC – July 24, 2025) – Across boardrooms, storefronts, and startup spaces nationwide, Black women are rewriting the story of American entrepreneurship. They are not just participating—they are leading. With nearly 2.7 million Black women-owned businesses across the United States, generating over $60 billion in annual revenue, these trailblazers are pushing past obstacles and creating new paths of possibility.

At BlackUSA.News, we celebrate these women not only for their bold business ventures, but for the powerful statement they make every single day: We will not be denied.

The Fastest Growing Force in Business

From 2014 to 2019, the number of businesses owned by Black women grew by 50%—the highest growth rate of any female demographic. Black women now make up 42% of all new women-owned businesses and represent 36% of all Black employers. This is no small feat; it is a revolution.

This surge is more than a trend—it’s a testament to vision, resilience, and grit. Whether launching a beauty brand, building a tech company, founding a nonprofit, or running a food truck, Black women are stepping into their power and redefining success on their own terms.

Courage in the Face of Challenges

The road to entrepreneurship is rarely smooth—and for Black women, the path is often filled with barriers that others never encounter. Discriminatory lending practices, lack of access to venture capital, and systemic economic inequalities persist. Nearly two-thirds of Black women entrepreneurs self-fund their businesses, despite having less generational wealth or household income compared to their white counterparts.

And yet—they rise.

Even as fewer than 3% of Black women-owned businesses reach the five-year mark, this community of innovators continues to build, to dream, and to rise above the statistics. They juggle caregiving, full-time jobs, and community commitments—often working double-time just to stay in the game.

Their businesses may be born out of necessity, but they are driven by purpose. And that purpose is reshaping industries and communities.

The Legacy Continues

From the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made Black woman millionaire, to modern moguls like Oprah Winfrey, Janice Bryant Howroyd, Cathy Hughes, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Black women have long shown what’s possible when brilliance meets opportunity.

And today, new names are being etched into that legacy. Names like Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Sheena Allen, fintech founder. Melissa Butler, creator of The Lip Bar. Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan. The list grows by the day—and every name represents a story of perseverance and power.

A Call to Action

It’s not enough to applaud Black women from the sidelines—we must invest in them, mentor them, partner with them, and amplify their work. The financial community, government agencies, and private institutions all have a role to play in eliminating structural inequities and providing real access to capital, networks, and growth opportunities.

As JPMorgan Chase’s Tosh Ernest puts it: “Black women are positioned to play an increasingly visible and important role in the United States’ future like never before.”

We at BlackUSA.News believe that future is already here. It’s being built every day by women who defy the odds, uplift their communities, and turn vision into value. They are not just surviving—they are thriving. And we’re proud to tell their stories.

In Their Honor

To every Black woman entrepreneur grinding before dawn, balancing motherhood with market research, transforming a side hustle into a legacy—we see you. We salute you. We celebrate you.

Because when Black women rise, we all rise.

🖤 For more stories like this, visit www.BlackUSA.News —where Black voices lead the narrative.

(DALLAS, TX – July 24, 2025) – The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (DBCC) holds a distinct place in American history as the first Black chamber of commerce in the nation. Founded in 1926, the DBCC has spent nearly a century advancing the economic interests of Black-owned businesses and organizations throughout the North Texas region. More than a business network, the Chamber stands as a legacy institution, rooted in advocacy, community development, and economic empowerment.

A Mission with Momentum

From its inception, the DBCC’s mission has remained clear and unwavering: to advocate for the creation, growth, and general welfare of Black-owned businesses. Through a robust offering of referrals, technical assistance, strategic partnerships, seminars, and marketing support, the Chamber equips entrepreneurs and Black-led organizations with the tools and connections needed to thrive.

In focusing on four key areas—economic development, education, tourism/conventions, and special projects—the DBCC serves not only its members, but the broader regional economy. Its enduring commitment is to foster a vibrant ecosystem where Black enterprise can flourish.

Our Impact

The DBCC is not just about advocacy—it delivers measurable results. Over the years, the Chamber has made a tangible difference in the lives of entrepreneurs across the state:

• 💵 $5,000,000 in Emergency Funds Awarded
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber helped issue $5 million in emergency funding to 300 Black-owned businesses, providing critical relief when it was needed most.

• 🚀 2,000+ Black Businesses Served
  Through innovative programs like the Black Business Bootcamps, the DBCC has supported the development and success of more than 2,000 Black-owned businesses throughout Texas.

• 💼 $171,000+ in Micro Grants Awarded
  The Chamber’s Micro Grant program has distributed over $171,000 to Black-owned businesses in North Texas and Houston, helping fuel entrepreneurship and sustainability.

People-Powered Progress

At the heart of the Chamber’s success is its membership. The DBCC acknowledges that its true strength lies in the collective voice and vision of its business owners, innovators, and community leaders. By elevating these voices and advocating for policies that create an inclusive business environment, the Chamber helps drive structural change and sustainable opportunity.

Leading the Charge: Harrison Blair, President/CEO

A native son of Dallas, Harrison Blair embodies a multi-generational commitment to service. His family legacy—shaped by his grandfather, Bill Blair, and his father, Jordan Blair—has long been tied to civic advancement in Dallas. With degrees in Political Science from Prairie View A&M University and Texas State University, Harrison brings both academic rigor and grassroots passion to his role as President and CEO of the Chamber.

As the chief advocate for Black-owned and supported businesses in North Texas, Blair leads with both vision and action. His involvement with the North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) reflects a commitment to statewide and regional collaboration. Additionally, his civic service as the District 4 Park & Recreation board member for the City of Dallas, and past service on the Mayor’s Star Council, demonstrate his deep-rooted investment in the city’s future.

When he’s not at the forefront of economic advocacy, Blair supports his wife’s creative pursuits at the Dallas Theater Center—underscoring a personal belief in community and culture as essential components of growth.

A Future Built on Legacy

For nearly 100 years, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce has stood as a beacon of Black economic progress. As it approaches its centennial, the DBCC continues to evolve—adapting to modern challenges while holding fast to its founding values. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Shenna Thomas and President Harrison Blair, the Chamber is positioning Black businesses to not only compete but lead in a rapidly changing economy.

In Dallas and beyond, the DBCC remains a powerful testament to what’s possible when advocacy, entrepreneurship, and community come together with purpose.

📍 Learn more or get involved: https://www.dallasblackchamber.org
📢 Follow on social media to stay connected with events, programs, and opportunities.

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