CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Black Americans are the third-largest racial or ethnic group in the United States, which equates to more than 12% of the total population. However, a 2023 study showed fewer than 3% of all businesses in America are Black-owned.
While that statistic can be upsetting, there is a silver lining in Charlotte. That same study named the Queen City as the second best place for Black entrepreneurs. It's one of just six metro areas where the proportion of Black-owned businesses more than doubles the national average.
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This wasn't shocking news to Demetria Hockaday and Jessica Davis who own and operate Pop Media, a marketing and filmmaking business that has a shop in Charlotte's Camp North End. They think one of the reasons Black-owned businesses thrive in Charlotte is because of how the community responds to them.
"Once somebody hears your name, somebody else hears your name," Davis explained, chalking up the minority-owned business success to word-of-mouth.
Davis hopes the growth continues. Hockaday said visibility is needed too.
"Usually, you would not see people who look like us getting the opportunities," Hockaday said.
Hockaday suggested Black entrepreneurs who want to get their start, whether it's in Charlotte or not, need to look for one thing.
"Get to a place where you are not only the teacher, but you can also have a place to be a student," Hockaday shared.
Find some great Black-owned businesses in Charlotte by searching this directory online.
Contact Kia Murray at kmurray@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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