Amber Williams launched her branding consultancy, Punkyflair, with the idea that stories, not sales pitches, are the best way to reach customers. And she thinks it’s an especially good strategy for women and people of color.
Stories of Women Entrepreneurs of Color
News and feature stories about women of color who are making their way in the world of entrepreneurship.
A Nigerian Entrepreneur Teaches Women to Farm and Grow in Self-Confidence
#ResistList: Rita Robert Otu of Beau Haven Farms is helping rural women grow and sell vitamin A-rich cassava — and changing their lives in the process.
This Former Ravens Cheerleader is Using Her Sport to Teach Leadership to Girls
#ResistList: Brittany Rose, a former All American and NFL cheerleader, is on a mission to dismantle disparaging stereotypes about cheerleading and make it a tool for empowering women.
Why a Jordanian Scientist Is on a Mission to Get Kids to Read for Pleasure
Rana Dajani has raised millions of dollars, trained thousands of volunteers, and worked with an estimated 100,000 kids to foster a love of reading.
A Janitor Walked In on Her Pumping. So This Entrepreneur Created Private Lactation Stations
Former lawyer Stephanie Conduff launched Leche Lounge to help working moms like her pump breast milk in private. To make her lactation stations, she hires from within her Native American community.
Fed Up With White-Washed Runways, This Entrepreneur Aims to Change the Face of Fashion
Troubled by the lack of diversity in the world of eco-conscious fashion, Priscilla Debar launched online boutique Faubourg as a platform for fellow women of color in the industry.
There Are 1 Billion Unbanked Women in the World. This Mobile Initiative Could Transform Their Lives
She Counts aims to help unbanked female micro-entrepreneurs access mobile savings accounts and business training services.
This ‘Infamous Mother’ Wants Everyone to Know That ‘Bad’ Moms Do Extraordinary Things
Sagashus Levingston has launched a $250,000 crowdfunding campaign to get copies of her coffee-table book on urban black mothers to people who are struggling financially.
Tech’s Diversity Problem is Harming Black Women Entrepreneurs, Experts Say
The National Urban League’s 2018 report highlights the woeful lack of technology industry opportunities for African-Americans. With tech training scarce, black women business owners pay an outsized price.
A Survivor Uses Sweat Lodges, Talking Circles and Dream Catchers to Bring Healing to Native Women
At Mother Nation, Norine Hill uses cultural traditions to help Native American women recover from abuse and homelessness.
Meet the Startup That’s Satisfying Social Media’s Thirst for Beautiful Photos
Jen Loong is connecting photographers throughout Asia to local clients through her online platform, WanderSnap. But as smartphone cameras become even more advanced, can her business compete?
These Two Activists are Elevating Black Women in U.S. Politics
Kimberly Peeler-Allen and Glynda C. Carr are the co-founders of nonprofit Higher Heights. Together, they are leading the charge to get more black women into office — and the voting booth.
Building a Fashion Business Shaped by Faith and Community
Haute Hijab Co-founder Melanie Elturk has built a thriving headscarf business by using her personal style and religious convictions to engage an online community of fashionable Muslim-American women.
Staying True To Her Roots Lets This Entrepreneur Handle Anything
Lois Hines cofounded Tropic Isle Living 25 years ago to make beauty products using Jamaican black castor oil. Her staying power — even through profound loss — comes from deep ties to her heritage, she says.
A Puerto Rican Founder Relies on Grit to Build a Successful Startup
Today, Julixa Newman runs a growing company, Stuff 4 Multiples, that caters to parents of twins and triplets. But first she had to overcome poverty, homelessness and fertility struggles.