This moment is not new. The long history of Black entrepreneurship in America dates back before the Civil War. Tulsa’s Greenwood District was a hub of thriving Black businesses. Barbershops, hair salons, and bakeries like Lee Lee’s Baked Goods in Harlem have long served as community pillars of Black economic life and empowerment. The difference now? Speed and scale. A viral video can launch a business overnight, allowing today’s entrepreneurs to be self-funded, self-taught, and self-promoted — all at the touch of a fingertip.
However, digital access doesn’t erase all obstacles. Burnout, constant comparison, and distractions on social media can take a toll on young business owners — as can the lack of support outside digital spaces and not being taken seriously. The New York City Black Chamber of Commerce (NYCBCC) , which provides services for business owners, has yet to create a space for this demographic of entrepreneurs. “Unless the child comes from a family where there’s an entrepreneurial mindset, then they’ll start these businesses on their own,” said Tosha Miller, president of NYCBCC. She added that, in many cases, youth-run businesses are actually operated by parents using the child’s name.