Each year BlkWomenHustle® recognizes the change agents making a significant impact on the lives, culture, and communities of fellow Black Women worldwide. With a new year on the horizon, we’re honored to present our annual list of 20 Black Women Entrepreneurs to Watch.
In this third year of bestowing the honors, we extend the invitation for you to closely observe the Black Women who are reshaping the culture and etching their names in history with remarkable talents and gifts. Each of these women are actively challenging and refining the existing norms, influencing the culture, and leaving an undeniable mark on history.
Here are BlkWomenHustle’s 20 Black Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2024.
1. Kaylah Joseph
CEO, LAID HAIR CARE
HBCU graduate and 28-year-old powerhouse Kaylah Joseph is disrupting the billion-dollar hair care industry with an unapologetic celebration of hair creativity. Joseph strategically prioritizes women throughout every step of their hair care journey while providing healthy solutions to prevent hair loss at her company LAID Hair Care. The multi-faceted CEO is now the youngest person to receive placement on the shelves of Walmart, with a retail franchise partnership. Combining beauty, tech, and innovation, LAID Beauty Bar will soon open in Huntsville, Alabama to become the styling product epicenter inside of a Fortune 1 company.
2. TK Burtin-Johnson
CO-FOUNDER, RED HAZEL WHISKEY
A new, high-quality whiskey brand is emerging under the reigns of TK Burtin-Johnson. The Red Hazel Whiskey co-founder used her hospitality management and decade-long experience in nightlife sales, experiential marketing, and modeling to create the latest spirit to hit the shelves. Inspired by cultural nuances and driven by a vision for versatility, Johnson embarked on a mission to redefine the adult beverage landscape. Her ambitions extend beyond her own success with aspirations to lead in education and inspiration for fellow women entering the wine and spirits industries.
3. Keirsten Greggs
FOUNDER, TRAP RECRUITER
A certified Jersey Jawn, who now calls the DC Metro area home, is actively bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. Keirsten Greggs founded TRAP Recruiter in 2017, bringing the culture to the workplace through her specialized recruitment strategies and talent acquisition. The award-winning recruiter has set the standard for helping organizations attract and retain candidates, while creating space for underrepresented individuals and job seekers to find their voices in the hiring processes. Her approach breaks the outdated routines and expectations of traditional recruitment, fostering a more diverse and qualified workforce for hundreds of candidates across the country.
4. NaChé Thompson
FOUNDER, NACHÉ COSMETICS
NaChé Thompson left her education career to single-handedly disrupt the cosmetics industry. After a disheartening experience in the beauty aisle, she recognized a market gap that needed to be filled for women who were just as melanin-rich as her. Thompson established a brand tailored to compliment the complexions of darker-toned individuals through NaChé Cosmetics. Her innovative collection contributes to creating a new norm through its lightweight formula that elevates the natural beauty of Black and brown women. The company is set to continue diversifying beauty standards with a 2024 expansion to create a more equitable landscape in the world of beauty.
5. Brittany Angelica
FOUNDER, CANNABSPA
Black Women are making their way into the cannabis industry in unconventional ways, and Brittany Angelica is poised to leave her mark in history. Angelica founded CannaBSpa in February 2020 on a mission to combine spa services and hemp-derived CBD products for a holistic wellness experience. Launching the only CBD and Hemp-infused spa made her the sole owner of its kind in the state of Georgia and the only Black-owned in the country. Leading with innovation, Angelica now provides the blueprint for skincare and spa professionals, positioning herself at the forefront of this evolving market.
6. Taryn Finley
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST
Journalism could never lose its power and credibility with professionals like Taryn Finley behind the scenes. The New York-based multimedia journalist serves as the Editor of HuffPost Black Voices, specializing in amplifying the stories and voices of Black audiences. Finley set the tone for her career with coverage of some of the culture’s most pivotal moments and public figures through previous publications like The Root, Essence, and NBC. She leads by example to inform and empower thousands with relevant content that demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the culture and Black experiences.
7. Jasmine Allen
FOUNDER, SOUL HAUM YOGA
In Philly, trauma-informed yoga and wellness has its own sanctuary thanks to Jasmine Allen. The somatic practitioner opened Soul Haum Yoga, the brick-and-mortar healing space providing connection and belonging. The studio equips and trains professionals to expand their wellness practices and expertise as leaders and instructors. Its impact has resulted in reduced harm and a closer community for Black citizens and trauma survivors in the area. Allen’s holistic techniques are transforming the way many choose to heal, extending the lifespans and overall health and wellness of hundreds on a journey to a wholesome way of living.
8. Aja Nelson
FOUNDER + CEO, SALON JOURNEY
Managing a successful hair salon has become somewhat of a lost art, but not for Aja Nelson. The veteran stylist opened Salon Journey at the height of the 2020 pandemic, making a daring move in a time of uncertainty for many entrepreneurs. Within its first year, the company scaled to multiple 6-figures, putting its customer service and quality standards at the forefront of business. Its in-house initiatives go beyond styling as Nelson and the team host events and pursue philanthropic efforts that give back to those whom it services. Nelson’s signature framework is reviving the cultivation of community at the Black hair salon, demonstrating why it is hailed as the #1 family-friendly salon in the DMV.
9. Ciera Young, LPC-A
FOUNDER, RECYCLED ENERGY + BEYOND THE WHTIE COUCH™
Your favorite Mental Health Homegirl and Recycled Energy founder Ciera Young is revolutionizing the standards of therapy. The Licensed Professional Counselor launched a mental health platform, Beyond the White Couch™, to create a distinctive approach for providing awareness, education, and dialogue in the field. Young makes it her mission to provide services and healing-centered events that generate self-awareness, growth, and healing for matters that are typically swept under the rug. Her dedication surpasses conventional therapy, offering transformative experiences that challenge mental health norms and create a safe space to begin the healing journey.
10. Heather Mitchell
PURPOSE SKIN STUDIO
Esthetics and beauty have been deep-rooted passions for Heather Mitchell for over a decade. The Purpose Skin Studio founder has specialized in providing corrective skincare for women and men of color throughout the Columbia, SC area. Mitchell’s extensive work has resulted in partnerships with skincare brands like Skinscript Rx, Supergoop!, and the previous placement as the Core Skin Specialist Educator for Paul Mitchell The School of Columbia. The “Best Esthetics Instructor” award nominee is expanding her growing empire with the relaunch of the Purpose Skin Institute in 2024. Mitchell’s hybrid educational program is slated to change the career trajectory for current and future estheticians to transform and grow profitable esthetics companies.
11. Nancy Taiye Aragbaye
FOUNDER, STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS GLOBAL
Nancy Taiye Aragbaye is the community’s advocate and champion for development solutions in impoverished communities. The Strategic Solutions Global founder provides business and leadership education to Black Women worldwide to scale their impact across Africa and the Diaspora. Leading the next generation of thought leaders, Aragbaye drives transformation across local communities, corporate entities, and governmental agencies with strategic guidance. Her impact as a leadership expert is setting the tone to close the gaps in academic and economic systems to provide a more sustainable environment in the future.
12. Jamila Parham
THE TECH UNICORN®
Jamila Parham is The Tech Unicorn® who is changing the face of technology as we know it. In a world where Black Women are rarely recognized as leaders in the industry, Parham is addressing the lack of diversity, as well as the underserved and underrepresented communities. Her STEM-based initiatives produce impact-driven projects and partnerships to create solution-oriented change for fellow unicorns. By bridging both success and opportunity gaps in tech, Parham is breaking down the barriers to provide access to resources, mentorship, and professional development to our community’s hidden figures.
13. Tonda Thompson
FOUNDER, SHE SLANGS WOOD CO.
Woodworking isn’t exclusive to men, and Tonda Thompson is working-proof. Thompson founded She Slangs Wood Co. on a mission to break gender norms and encourage others to walk with authority in all they do. The company teaches women to become self-sufficient and confident through woodworking and furniture building through live and virtual workshops. Under Thompson’s guidance, a rising generation of women carpentry majors from local high schools is receiving employment opportunities in her company to earn graduation credits and gain hands-on experience for their futures.
14. Chanise Gibbs
CEO, BARESKIN USA
Vegan beauty care is far from a trend for BareSkin USA. Founder Chanise Gibbs weaves a narrative connecting the African Diaspora by incorporating earth’s ingredients from the native lands of melanated communities worldwide. Her company’s products restore and nourish the skin, giving users the confidence to have what are known as “Bare Moments” to prioritize their skin health and self-care. The visionary is set to share her transformative experience in the industry through a documentary, giving rising founders behind the scenes access to the blueprint for scaling a cruelty-free beauty brand.
15. Leslie Avant Brown, MPA, MCC
FOUNDER + CEO, BLOOMING WILLOW COACHING
Leslie Avant Brown is the Master Certified Coach behind Blooming Willow Coaching, a Healing Centered Coaching® and training firm for Changemakers. The International Coaching Federation-accredited establishment supports healing and liberation for BIPOC and white communities across the globe. Her company partners with individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide coaching certifications, services, and courses for those designing innovative strategies that benefit future generations. The Coach recently awarded $20,000 in scholarships for Black Women to become ICF-certified coaches, and continues to revamp the coaching landscape with a signature methodology propelling sustainable change.
16. Tanya Ambrose CLC, CCHW
FOUNDER, SCRUB LIFE CARES
Birth and Postpartum Doula, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, and Certified Lactation Counselor are a few of the titles that can be used to describe Tanya Ambrose. The Scrub Life Cares founder and dedicated public health professional specializes in providing maternal and menstrual health education to women and girls. The Antigua native hosts the Tea with Tanya Podcast, fostering candid discussions on positive living, health, and wellness, while changing the narrative and removing the cultural disparities. Through her compassionate work, maternal and infant mortality rates are reduced, and underserved women and girls receive the menstrual health education and products they deserve.
17. Holly D. Reid, CPA
FOUNDER, THE MASTER PLAYBOOK
Holly D. Reid, a Certified Financial Education Instructor and CPA, transcends the role of a seasoned finance professional. The award-winning author and speaker enhances the lives of others through knowledge, academics, and personal finance advocacy. In 2012, she created The Master Playbook to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle for adults who need to ditch debt, save with purpose, and build wealth. Her initiatives have yielded significant economic effects, helping thousands escape financial cycles and equipping future generations to build lasting financial legacies.
18. Dr. Michele Josey
FOUNDER, MOGUL BEGINNINGS DATA CONSULTING
Dr. Michele Josey is a data-driven strategist with over a decade of expertise in data science and analytics. Through her company, Mogul Beginnings Data Consulting, she utilizes data to increase the profitability and productivity of businesses and organizations across the country. Driven by a vision to position organizations at the forefront of their markets, she considers data the ultimate secret weapon. Through mentorship and service, Dr. Josey is leading the next generation of Black data professionals to 6-figure careers with valuable insights and practices.
19 – 20. Jordan Scott and T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS
CO-FOUNDERS, BLACK PEOPLE DIE BY SUICIDE TOO
Lives are being saved through conversation, therapy, and mental health resources thanks to Jordan Scott and T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS. The powerful duo are the Co-Founders of Black People Die By Suicide Too (BPDBST), a non-profit organization dedicated to normalizing the conversation about suicide prevention. After encountering their own suicidal struggles and attempts, the two established the organization to instill hope in Black individuals suffering from detrimental mental health conditions. Their honorable, life-saving efforts and podcast are addressing the crucial topic, and preventing an increased number of deaths occurring by suicide throughout our communities daily.
2 Responses
It’s wonderful to see the energy of our females who took a personal issue to crave out a opportunity to help others. Some day I hope to be honored on your list.
Teresa Thomas
LunchTimeProductions Co.
Thanks so much for this honorable feature! Our work to close the financial education gap and to make money lessons more accessible & equitable continues in the New Year!
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