Black History Month: How Businesses Can Support and Celebrate Black-Owned Entrepreneurs

Black History Month is more than a calendar moment — it’s an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to amplify voices, forge meaningful partnerships, share stories of achievement, and generate real economic impact for Black-owned businesses throughout the year.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to support and collaborate with Black-owned businesses or you’re a Black entrepreneur wanting to leverage this month for greater visibility and customer engagement, February can be a catalyst for long-term momentum. Black History Month isn’t just about celebrating the past — it’s about building sustainable success for the future. And with the right strategy, every small business can be part of that progress.

1. Amplify Black Businesses with Strategic Content

Why it matters: Consumers value authentic connection, real stories, and community impact. Brands that elevate diverse voices — rather than just promote themselves — build trust and loyalty.

What to do:

• Tell authentic stories of Black business owners — their journey, impact, challenges, and triumphs.
• Make these narratives a regular feature on your blog, email campaigns, and social platforms.
• Use short-form video (Reels, TikTok Shorts, YouTube Shorts) to spotlight founders in action.

Trend tip: People are tired of generic AI content. Focus on human stories with heart — real conversations, real faces, real voices.

2. Build Deep Partnerships Beyond a Month

Celebration is great — sustained support is transformative.

Strategic ways to partner:

• Co-host community events & workshops with Black entrepreneurs to position them as experts and community leaders.
• Create collaborative products, services, or pop-ups during Black History Month and support joint promotions afterward.
• Offer ongoing referrals and bundled offerings that encourage customers to shop across local Black-owned businesses.

Partnerships should drive revenue — not just awareness.

3. Social Media That Actually Moves the Needle

Social media isn’t just for posting nice quotes — it’s a business growth engine.

Actionable tactics:

• Feature Black-owned businesses weekly in Stories, Reels, or TikTok. Use targeted hashtags (e.g., #BlackOwnedBusiness #BlackHistoryMonth) to grow visibility.
• Collaborative Lives/Q&A sessions with Black founders to let audiences ask questions and learn firsthand.
• Share educational content about why supporting Black businesses matters economically and culturally.

Pro tip: If you’re using a social scheduling platform like Thryv, plan a content calendar so posts feel thoughtful and consistent — not last-minute. 

4. Use AI and Data to Tailor Your Support Campaigns

AI isn’t a trend — it’s now essential for small business marketing, especially for resource-constrained owners.

How to use it:

• AI-powered ads can help Black-owned businesses find high-intent local audiences without high agency costs.
  
• Automated email personalization increases conversions by delivering hyper-relevant messaging tied to user behavior.
  
• Tools like chatbots and dynamic content can increase engagement and sales 24/7.
  

5. Educate and Empower — Internally and Publicly

True allyship starts with understanding history, systemic barriers, and how economic inequity operates — and then acting on that knowledge:

• Host internal training or a learning series about Black business history and economic equity.
• Share curated resources — books, documentaries, podcasts — with your audience and team to deepen understanding.
• Invite feedback from Black founders on how your business can be a better partner.

This ensures your efforts are informed and welcomed, not performative.

6. Highlight Resources (and Help Connect People to Them)

Partnership doesn’t start and end with a social post. Share tangible tools and opportunities that help Black business owners thrive:

• Local chambers of commerce and business accelerators
• Funding and grant opportunities designed for minority entrepreneurs
• Mentorship and networking programs aimed at economic empowerment

Position your brand as a connector — not just a promoter.

7. Track, Analyze & Share Impact

To ensure real outcomes and improve year over year:

• Set measurable goals (e.g., referral traffic to Black-owned businesses, revenue driven to partners, social reach).
• Publish impact reports after Black History Month about what you helped drive — not just what you posted.
• Use first-party data to understand what content and campaigns actually deliver real engagement.

Black History Month is an invitation — not just to celebrate history but to shape economic futures. By combining authentic storytelling, community partnership, modern marketing trends, and measurable impact, your business can be part of sustainable change that resonates long after February ends.

FAQs

Q: How can small businesses support Black-owned businesses during Black History Month?

A: Small businesses can support Black-owned businesses during Black History Month by amplifying their stories through blogs and social media, forming revenue-generating partnerships, hosting collaborative events, referring customers, and promoting Black-owned products or services. The most impactful support extends beyond February by building ongoing partnerships and measurable economic impact.

Q: What are the best Black History Month marketing ideas for 2026?

A: The best Black History Month marketing ideas for 2026 include creating short-form video spotlights of Black entrepreneurs, co-hosting community events, launching collaborative promotions, using AI-powered ads to reach local audiences, personalizing email campaigns, and sharing educational content about economic equity. Authentic storytelling and long-term partnerships are key to building trust and driving engagement.

Q: How can Black-owned businesses increase visibility during Black History Month?

A: Black-owned businesses can increase visibility during Black History Month by leveraging short-form video content, optimizing local SEO listings, collecting and showcasing customer reviews, collaborating with other businesses, using targeted hashtags like #BlackOwnedBusiness, and running AI-powered local advertising campaigns. Tracking engagement and conversion data helps turn seasonal visibility into year-round growth.