It’s no secret that women are driving the economy in America. In 2019, American women started an average of 1,817 new businesses every day. A whopping 42% (nearly 13 million) of all American businesses are women-owned. They employ 9.4 million workers and generate $1.9 trillion in annual revenue.
And Black women-owned businesses are leading the way.
According to the American Express 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses report there are 2,681,200 Black women-owned businesses in the U.S.—that’s 21% of all women-owned businesses—making it the largest segment of women-owned businesses after non-minority women. In fact, Black women-owned businesses represented the highest rate of growth of any group in the number of firms between 2014 and 2019 and between 2018 and 2019.
Our team has had the honor of working with so many intelligent, talented and strong women of color and Black women founders, entrepreneurs, creatives, musicians, artists, chefs, and small business owners, spotlighting their incredible work at our events, on our platform, and in our annual Create & Cultivate 100 list. And, we look forward to continually growing and expanding upon this as a key part of our community.
Now approaching its fourth year, this list honors 100 inspirational women who are disrupting industries and smashing glass ceilings across 10 different categories from fashion, food, entertainment, entrepreneurship, health & wellness, content creation, beauty, fashion, music, small business, and more. We come together as a team to ensure the list is diverse and inclusive with a mix of household names you know and love as well as up-and-comers you need to read about.
But this list is about so much more than just a number. It’s about the ripple effect it inspires.
When you honor 100 women who are 100% in it, you encourage 100 more to create a future we all want to be part of. After all, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
Your recommendations this past week alone have been amazing in bringing even more Black women-owned businesses to our attention, and we want to thank you for that. Please, keep them coming—we’re listening and compiling, and will be integrating many of them into all we do long-term.
Read on to hear from 80 Black women and women of color who have been honored in our Create & Cultivate 100 list each year.
Create & Cultivate 100, 2017
Sanaa Lathan, Actress & Philanthropist
“One positive moment with a young person can change their path forever. ”
“Most people naturally just assumed I only do makeup tutorials for African American women, not realizing that we come in so many different shades and you don’t have to necessarily look exactly like someone to learn a new tip. ”
“It’s the love of my people and seeing a woman or girl flip through CRWN and her eyes light up…or when a sister confides in me about her hairstory and how CRWN is a place where she can finally see herself…These are the reminders that CRWN is so much bigger than Nkrumah and myself.”
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”
Nikisha Brunson, Co-founder, Urban Bush Babes, and Founder, Folie Apothecary
“Life is too magical to put barriers on it.”
“Female empowerment is knowing that you can do anything, even if it might be in a field dominated by the opposite sex.”
“Compassionate listening is the greatest and simplest form of peacekeeping.”
“All women are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck, and special.”
Franchesca Ramsey, Comedian, Actress, Activist, and YouTube Personality
“Being a woman of color on the Internet is challenging, let alone being one that openly talks about racism and feminism. I deal with an intense amount of harassment, which at times can be discouraging, but is also a reminder of why these conversations are so important.”
“Take the time to plan your life or settle for what life gives you.”
“Being able to see yourself in every woman regardless of race, class, religion... when that happens empowerment is just a byproduct.”
“I learned to be grateful, honor my worth, and love myself the way that I am.”
“When women support each other we can accomplish anything!”
“There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that people would be surprised about when it comes to the beauty world and even more when it comes to being an African American influencer.”
“I wanted make the black hair experience fun and beautiful for Black women.”
“Beauty has nothing to do with one’s age, gender, body size, socio-economic status, race, religion, or culture.”
“Give negativity little to no oxygen.”
“Actions speak louder than words and execution is everything.”
“I like being able to go into male-dominated spaces and blow their minds anyway.”
“I obviously went through these things for a reason, and if it’s not to share with other people so they can handle their situations better, well, I don’t know what the hell I went through it for. I might as well share it because this the only life I got to live and who knows it might save the world.”
“I consider myself a fighter and a revolutionary and I’m driven to stand up to injustices and inequities whenever I see them manifest.”
“Don’t spend life daydreaming about ‘what could be’. Invest your energy in what is right in front of you and see how it can be cultivated into something meaningful #realtalk.”
Arlan Hamilton, Founder, Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
“It started with my mom telling me I deserved to be in any room and shouldn’t shrink myself to make someone else feel better about themselves.”
“I am not just a woman in STEM. I am a Black woman in STEM, who grew up in a low- income household, who never took a technology, business, or finance class in K-12 or college, didn’t go to an Ivy League school, and didn’t know a soul in tech prior to entering Silicon Valley in 2011.”
“I’d love to break down barriers that any woman feels when it comes to following your art.”
“The more your honor your spirit and soul, the more that energy grows around you.”
“You learn to make space and time for yourself.”
“My passion stems from my deep belief that empowering girls does change the world.”
“I was raised by a mother who taught me that I was complete all by myself.”
“Representation is important in the stories we tell.”
“My focus is on making the world see that kids are not just the future. We are the present as well and we can change the world now.”
“Be authentic. You’ll break through the static when you find your secret sauce and share it with the world.”
“Any challenge at hand is an opportunity, a chance to dig deeper.”
“I think too many people are afraid of failing. I’m not.”
“All victories count. There’s no need to compare yours to someone else’s.”
“Sometimes, especially in the black community we feel tokenized. I’m not trying to act like the spokesperson for the black community. I’m simply someone who is trying to provide change and influence. I may have some missteps along the way. Try to give people grace as they launch their businesses and feedback.”
“The day I die, I’d like people to remember me as someone who taught them how to be fearless and how to create their own destiny. I would love my daughter to say I was her motivator and role model.”
Lauren Ash, Founder & Executive Director, Black Girl in Om
“Preventative and holistic self-care and self-love allow us all to breathe a little easier and slowly but surely it can become a lifestyle. This is what Black Girl In Om is all about.”
“A bump in the road doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Sometimes it just calls on you to push through a little bit harder.”
“We believe very strongly that it’s so important to show a real representation of women in fashion and the wider media landscape. We wanted to liberate women from feeling as though they need to live up to an unreal external projection of how they should be.”
“I’m inspired by women. I’m inspired by black women. I’m inspired by women who have found their voice, and who know what they want (or at least what they don’t want).”
“Sometimes the challenge, at least for me, has been getting women to change the way they feel about their hair and embracing the beauty that they were born with.”
“I was born as a black woman for a reason, and I just want to make sure I don’t miss it.”
Read the interview.
Follow her on Instagram.
Courtney Adeleye, Founder, Foolproof Body, and Generational Advantage Fund
“If you’re not teachable, there’s no way you can evolve.”
“Activism to me means taking a stand for something you believe in or something you’re against. Not just stating it, but taking actionable steps in creating the change you want to see. There are so many ways you can activate in your community, big or small. Marching, volunteering with or donating to organizations that support what you believe in, starting a movement on social media, having courageous conversations with your friends and family, and calling out people when they have done something wrong in your eyes. There are additional ways to go about it, these are just a few.”
“No rain. No rainbows... people relate to authenticity and I truly believe that being vulnerable helps amplify that.”
“I decided to bet on my own magic.”
“Hearing a NO is a sign that you’re growing and aiming higher and higher.”
“My internal monologue was all over the place. “Will I be able to continue doing what I love?”, “Will I get paid equal or more than what I’m earning now?” Also let’s talk about the weight of being the only black artist in that workspace at the time. There was a feeling of guilt I know many POC feel in majority white spaces. I was like “If I leave, no one here will look like me.” This is why representation is so important. ”
Read the interview.
Follow her on Instagram.
Nancy Twine, Founder, and CEO, Briogeo
“Find something you really believe in and that you won’t quit until you’ve succeeded. ”
Gabi Gregg, Founder, Playful Promises Lingerie, and Swimsuits for All
“Maintain your integrity and trust your gut.”
“Sometimes you have to trust that even without past experience, you can figure it out.”
“It’s important when things go wrong to stay calm, assess the situation in a realistic way, and shift gears accordingly.”
“Take the mistakes and failures, and make something out of them.”
“Social injustice and the state of our government (keeps me up at night). I feel politics are a bit out of control. It’s always been rough but now it’s getting nasty. Some of our leaders can’t even be looked up to as good role models for our kids, and that should be a prerequisite... at least be a decent person who is kind and loves all people.”
“I learned early on in my life that no one will be there for you more than you; no one will take action for you to accomplish the things you want like you.”
Ally Love, CEO and Founder, Love squad, Peloton Instructor, Brooklyn Nets Host, and Model
“Understand that you cannot apply equal energy to everything. Be conscious of your immediate goals and operate accordingly.”
“I choose to empower myself by empowering others.”
“Our parents always taught us from a young age that we can do anything we put our minds to and no to be afraid to dive in to do something that may not be considered things for little girls to be doing.”
“Surround yourself with people who are going to nurture your gifts and be transparent about your growth and how to improve.”
“Nothing is easy, so stop trying to figure out easy and instead focus on enjoyable, fulfilling, meaningful.”
Read the interview.
Follow her on Instagram.
Lisa Mae Brunso, Founder and Chief Visionary, Wonder Women Tech
“Rev. Jesse Jackson told me something so basic that it was also profoundly powerful, he said, “You just have to show up.” Those two words are something I carry with me every day when I feel like giving up. ”
Krystle Rowry, Web Designer, Digital Strategist, Kriss Dit It
“I look at hurdles as a time to learn, pivot, & get excited for what’s next.”
Kaya Thomas, Computer Scientist, App Developer, Writer, and Founder, We Read Too App
“When I hit a hurdle I remember what I’m working toward in the first place.”
“Communicating with clarity, purpose, passion, and honesty will enable you to serve others in a profound way.”
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take risks. Be your most authentic self. ”
“Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid of change, and have a perspective.”
Daisha Graf, Actress, Dancer, Model, Singer, Influencer, Fitness Coach, and Co-Founder, D(n)A arts
“‘Making it’ is subjective. I have in no way, shape, or form ‘made it’ in my mind. I feel once I’ve ‘made it’ there will be nothing left to pursue. I never want to feel that. ”
“Keep trying things. In my experience, you have to try things out that aren’t for you in order to find what is for you.”
Kiitan Akinniranye, Content Strategy, and Lifestyle blogger
“I am my only competition. It’s definitely a hard mindset to keep at all times, but I think society has really tried to push this idea that there’s only so much space in any room for people who aren’t white men, and that’s completely false. I’m unique because I’m me, sharing what I love with people who love it too. I’m always challenging myself to push my limits and try new things, but it’s an internal push, not an external one.”
“You always hear that, as a Black woman, you have to work three times as hard. Sometimes working hard is enough, and sometimes it’s not. That was so hard for me starting out.”
“When you move through fear and resistance, new strength and resilience that you never knew you had, takes control.”
“Find your own voice, and dont be afraid of telling your authentic-to-only-you stories.”
“To get into the room with big brands, you need a reason to be there. Think about what you can bring to the table that’s unique, valuable, or exciting. Be the meeting that people look forward to.”
Read the interview.
Follow her on Instagram.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Co-founder, Golde
“Being an entrepreneur is basically just a series of unending failures... You can choose any of these moments to give up, or you can see them as learning curves that will prepare you for the next thing.”
Tia Mowry, Actress, Content Creator, Author, Entrepreneur, Founder, Anser
“It takes time to discover yourself, but once you do, the rest is history.”
Tyra Banks, Model, Entrepreneur, TV Executive, and Business CEO
“My mama has always—and still—teaches me to never give up. She always compared success to access inside a house. She’d say, ‘It doesn’t matter if you get into the house through a window, a door or through a hole in the roof—you just get in! Doesn’t matter if the front door is closed. You get in!’”
“You don’t have to settle for what people think you deserve.”
“Sometimes things fall apart, it’s part of the journey.”
Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Content Creators, Podcast Hosts, and Authors, Co-Founders, Food Heaven
“We’ve had so many people of color—particularly Black women—tell us that they thought nutrition and healthy eating was for White people, but once they discovered our platform, they realized it was for them too.”
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Missed out on Gina Bianchini’s incredible session from our Offsite? No worries! We’re sharing her insights on building a thriving community that feels like a real network, not just an audience.