Get The Scoop From NY Business Leader Phil Andrews On Why Technology Empowers Black Business Owners.

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Op-Ed: Technology Empowers Black Business Owners. Supporting Innovation Will Keep Them Competitive.

By Phil Andrews

August marked National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, contributions, and success of Black entrepreneurs. As President Calvin Coolidge once said, “the chief business of the American people is business.”

This is as true today as it was nearly a century ago — and it holds for every American, especially the Black community. Black-owned business creation is surging. From 2017 to 2022, the number of businesses owned by a Black entrepreneur increased by nearly 57%. During those years, at least half of the new businesses were Black-owned.

The US Census estimates that Black entrepreneurs own 3.5 million businesses with an annual payroll of $40.5 billion.

Technology is fueling this boom in entrepreneurship and tearing down barriers. That’s especially true of artificial intelligence.

But to fully unlock AI’s economic potential, policymakers need to ensure that business owners and the workforce of the future are properly equipped to succeed. Albany and Washington should focus on investing in education and workforce training –– and resisting legislation and regulations that stifle rather than support our local innovators.

Get The Scoop On How Marcus and Shauanna Parker, Create Custom Glow-in-the-Dark Keyrings for Fundraisers and Events

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Receive the Latest Events, News, Jobs, and Top Community Economic Development Stories Like this one Click Here | Reach up to 1.3 million people Promote

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Marcus and Shauanna Parker Bring Custom
Glow-in-the-Dark Keyrings
for Fundraisers and Events

Marcus and Shauanna Parker, an African American couple from North Texas, are lighting up fundraising and personal branding with their innovative, solar-powered 3D printing lab — and now anyone can get in on the glow.

Through their company, GlowKeyRings, the couple has launched a $99 personalized package that transforms logos, mascots, and other designs into durable, glow-in-the-dark keyrings. The package includes two finished samples shipped directly to the customer, so you can see and feel the quality before ordering more.

Barnard Cherry Partners With His 3 Sons to Launch The Community-Based Digital Ecosystem - UMYO Network

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Receive the Latest Events, News, Jobs, and Top Community Economic Development Stories Like this one Click Here | Reach up to 1.3 million people Promote

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Barnard Cherry Partners With
His 3 Sons to Launch The
UMYO Network Community-Based
Digital Ecosystem

 UMYO Network is a groundbreaking digital ecosystem created and owned by African American father Gregory Barnard Cherry and his three sons—Gregory Jr., Isaac, and Isaiah. Together, this father-and-sons team built UMYO as a community-owned platform designed to prepare people for the future of artificial intelligence, automation, and economic disruption.

Their mission is simple but powerful: give everyday people—not politicians, corporations, or celebrities—the tools and opportunities to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Gregory’s journey to building UMYO began with hardship and redemption. The son of a reverend and military veteran, he suffered a brain injury at age 10 that left him struggling in school. After losing his brother to violence at 19, he spiraled into destructive behavior that landed him in prison.

He now views that prison sentence as a turning point that allowed him to rediscover faith, value life, and redirect his path. His experience forged the foundation for a lifelong mission: to create opportunities for youth and underserved communities often left behind by traditional systems.