Local Black women business owners are not just participants in the business world —they are leaders, innovators, and changemakers!
RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 7, 2025 – Richmond is buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit, and leading the charge are dynamic Black women entrepreneurs who are reshaping the business landscape.
In a groundbreaking initiative, five phenomenal Richmond-area women have graduated from the largest cohort yet of Goldman Sachs’ program, “One Million Black Women: Black in Business.” Launched in February 2022, this program offers a free, tailored business education program in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business to empower sole proprietors to overcome challenges and thrive. In a recent survey of Black in Business graduates, 65% of alumni reported increasing revenues, 90% believe the program gave them tools to innovate, and 94% of Black in Business alumni are optimistic about future growth.
The legacy of trailblazers such as Maggie L. Walker and MBL continues to inspire new generations of entrepreneurs.
Meet the trailblazers who are December 2024 graduates of the “One Million Black Women: Black in the Business” program:
· Joli Aslan, the visionary behind CapConx Management Solutions;
· Shirley Crawford, the dynamic force at 2nd Chance Consulting;
· Keonna Knight, the inspiring CEO and courage coach of Heal with Keonna;
· Erin Stanley, the compassionate psychotherapist and founder of Honey Bee Therapy;
· Janique Washington, the innovative cranial prosthetics specialist at The Chic Studio.
These women describe their experience with the “Black in Business” program as “phenomenal,” “transformative,” and “life-changing.” Keonna Knight likened it to a hands-on business school, emphasizing the practical, actionable insights she gained. Joli Aslan shared how the program fueled her confidence to dream bigger, while Shirley Crawford is already revamping her business with newfound passion and fire.
The program not only equipped the women with a one-year action plan, but also connected them to a vibrant network of like-minded entrepreneurs, a crucial support system for solo entrepreneurs. As Janique Washington noted, this sense of belonging is invaluable.
“I was honestly blown away,” Aslan said, noting she sees her developed confidence to dream bigger dreams as a payoff already.
But it wasn’t only good feelings that participants left with. They each also developed a one-year action plan over the 12-week course and already began the first steps in implementing it.
Crawford has begun changing her website and creating new programs.
“It [the program] has helped me to really think about my business from scratch and revamp my focus,” she said. “I’m feeling super passionate and so on fire.”
Stanley’s focus has been on time management – something she says the program taught her is paramount if she wants to expand her impact and her income. However, she gained something else – a wide network of women from different backgrounds and fields to connect with.
This was a bonus important to all five women because, as Washington added, being a solo entrepreneur can be lonely.
“Just having people available gives you a sense of belonging, and that’s something that I didn’t have before,” she said.
When asked what encouragement they have for other Black women with entrepreneurial dreams, the resounding answer of the group was, “Go for it!”
“There are lots of opportunities available and out there,” Stanley said. “So use your voices because they matter.”
BND Institute of Media & Culture 