National Black Business Month, celebrated every August, is a time to recognize and support black-owned businesses across the United States. This month highlights the contributions of black entrepreneurs to the economy and encourages consumers to support these businesses.
Black entrepreneurs face unique challenges, including limited access to capital, resources, and mentorship. National Black Business Month aims to raise awareness of these obstacles and promote policies and practices that support the growth and sustainability of black-owned businesses.
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WHUR 96.3 and WHUT TV would like you to meet our Black Entrepreneurs.
SUPLMNT – August 7th
Founder, Jairus Morris, of SUPLMNT where hydration meets culture. Morris recognized hydration habits start in our youth. He created a giveback program where SUPLMNT gives bottles directly to our communities that can benefit from lifelong habits of hydration.
“WATER IS THE BODY’S MOST IMPORTANT SUPLMNT!”
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Soundtrack The Game – August 14th
Nigel and Desirae, Co-Founders of Soundtrack The Game had no idea that 2 years Into their teaching careers they would become entrepreneurs. Soundtrack was created June 3rd after a conversation at the dinner table and instantly, they knew it would be a hit. The two Baltimore City educators have spent the past year chasing their dreams and encouraging their students to do the same. Their only question is, “What song y’all got?”
College Gurl – August 21st
Jessica L. Brown is a nationally recognized financial aid expert. As Founder of College Gurl,
President of The College Gurl Foundation, Author of How to Pay for College When You’re Broke and the children’s book College Girl’s First College Tour, Jessica educates students and families on how to make the best-informed decisions around financing a college education. Named the Financial Aid Fairy Godmother, her mission is to ensure students have access to an affordable and quality education. Additionally, she mentors and exposes Washington Metropolitan area high school students to college through her nonprofit, The College Gurl Foundation.
Jessica speaks all over the U.S. at a host of schools, universities, organizations, and news
networks. Additionally, AT&T, Dark & Lovely, DC Government, Truist, The Steve & Marjorie
Harvey Foundation and many more have sponsored her efforts. She has recently been featured
on Good Morning America, MSNBC, The Tamron Hall Show, BET News, FOX Business
Network, Essence Magazine, and several other news outlets. Also, she is a graduate of Howard
University, Strayer University, and is currently seeking her PhD in Higher Education
Administration.
Moreover, Jessica is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, 2024 U.S. Black Chambers,
Inc. Woman of Power, AT&T CAP member, and 2023 Regional Finalist for the White House
Fellowship. Her philanthropic efforts have awarded her the 2024 WKYS 93.9 Woman of
Excellence award, 2022 Loudmouth award from Al Sharpton, 2020 Mayor Bowser DC HOPE
Award, 2020 HBCU Buzz Top 30 Under 30, 2020 WHUR 96.3 McDonalds DMV Black
Excellence Award, 2019 Outstanding Community Service Award of Excellence from Odyssey
International, 2018 Dreamer Award from Dream4It Foundation, and 2018 Power of She Award
from Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Mahogany Books – August 28th
Ramunda Lark Young (Rah-mun-dah)
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, entrepreneurship and community is a part of Ramunda Lark Young’s DNA. Inspired by her family’s work ethic and the historic Black Wall Street in her hometown, Ramunda is a dedicated entrepreneur, passionate speaker, and committed community leader.
Ramunda is owner of MahoganyBooks, a nationally recognized and award-winning, independent bookstore co-founded with her husband Derrick. MahoganyBooks is the premier destination for books written for, by and about people of African descent with physical locations in the historic Anacostia community of D.C., and National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and most recently, a footprint at National Airport.
At the helm of strategic partnerships, Ramunda is instrumental in building the MahoganyBooks brand and building relationships with local and national authors, celebrity writers, and community leaders. Over the years, MahoganyBooks has featured President Barack Obama, U.S. Representative John Lewis, April Ryan, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jason Reynolds, Misty Copeland, Gabrielle Union, and local author events, among others. Annually she organizes an annual “Books for the Block” summer reading campaign on behalf of MahoganyBooks. To date, more than 1000 books have been donated to youth.
Ramunda is a sought after speaker and panelist who focuses on the crucial importance of Black books and literacy in the community. Through the Ramunda Young Group, LLC, she teaches women to build successful business relationships that increase sales and self-confidence. Her popular masterclasses equip women to sit comfortably at any table.
Active in her community, Ramunda served as Vice Chair of the Prince William County Human Rights Commission and a gubernatorial appointee to the Council on Women in Virginia. Currently, she is a proud board member of the DC Public Library Foundation and serves as the organizer and Co-creator of the Black Book Coalition comprised of Black-owned bookstores across the nation.
Ramunda was named to The Root 100, a list of the most influential African Americans in the nation, awarded Commissioner of the Year by the Virginia Association of Human Rights, a Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Honoree, and the Forbes Next 1000 list.
Ramunda is an alum of Langston University, Leadership Prince William and proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
