When Systems Shut Down, Community Stands Up: Innovate, Invest, and Influence for Black-Owned Business Success
In times of uncertainty—government shutdowns, economic downturns, or social upheaval—our region’s resilience is measured by how we show up for Black-owned businesses. When formal systems stall, community-led innovation, investment, and influence become the drivers of progress.
As an educational institution, Seattle Colleges connects learning with lived experience. Centering Black-owned enterprises is both a responsibility and a strategy for regional strength. When we align our purchasing, partnerships, and policies with Black business growth, we build durable pathways to opportunity.
Innovate. Invest. Influence.
• Innovate: Build new channels, tools, and models that expand market access for Black-owned firms.
• Invest: Direct capital and contracts to Black entrepreneurs to accelerate stability and scale.
• Influence: Use platforms, policies, and data to remove barriers and amplify success.
Why Investing in Black-Owned Businesses Matters Now
System disruptions exacerbate existing inequities in access to capital, contracts, and networks. Black-owned businesses are more likely to encounter lending denials, higher borrowing costs, and delayed disbursements—factors that constrain growth precisely when liquidity matters most.
The local “multiplier effect” underscores the solution: dollars spent with Black-owned firms recirculate through payroll, suppliers, and community institutions, strengthening neighborhood economies and building intergenerational wealth. During shutdowns, this community circulation is not optional—it is essential.
Innovate: Creative Ways to Support Black Entrepreneurs
Align everyday actions with initiatives that unlock markets and capacity for Black-owned businesses.
Market-Building Ideas
Pre-order campaigns for seasonal products and services to ensure early revenue and production planning.
Subscription bundles featuring multiple Black-owned vendors to increase predictable demand.
Pop-up retail and vendor residencies in high-traffic spaces, including campuses and corporate lobbies.
Collaborative gift guides and curated corporate gifting sourced exclusively from Black-owned firms.
Capacity and Operations
Shared services cooperatives (accounting, marketing, logistics) to reduce fixed costs and expand bandwidth.
Micro-internships and project teams from Seattle Colleges to support e-commerce, data, and design needs.
Business continuity checkups (cybersecurity, inventory planning, cash flow modeling) before disruptions occur.
Access to co-manufacturing or commercial kitchen space to scale production efficiently.
Digital Presence and Sales
E-commerce enablement sprints: product photography, SEO, and marketplace set-up.
Social selling playbooks and content calendars co-developed with student teams.
Community CRM and email campaigns to convert one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Invest: Capital, Contracts, and Capacity
Move beyond one-time purchases to long-term investment in Black-owned business growth.
Commit a share of organizational spend to Black-owned suppliers and track it publicly.
Create pre-purchase agreements or standing orders to stabilize cash flow.
Channel savings circles or pooled funds into zero-interest community loans.
Partner with CDFIs and mission lenders to expand credit access and technical assistance.
Explore revenue-based financing for growth-stage firms with seasonal or contract-driven sales.
Sponsor microgrants for digital upgrades, certifications, and equipment.
Simplify vendor onboarding and expedite payment terms for small suppliers.
Influence: Amplify Reach and Remove Barriers
Use networks and platforms to expand visibility and change conditions for success.
Social and Digital Amplification
Publish verified directories of Black-owned vendors and link them in staff email signatures and newsletters.
Share customer stories and product features; tag businesses to extend their reach.
Post detailed reviews on Google, Yelp, and marketplace platforms where purchasing decisions happen.
Mentorship and Advisory
Form advisory circles connecting experienced executives with emerging entrepreneurs.
Offer skill-based volunteering in finance, legal, operations, UX, and data analytics.
Policy and Ecosystem
Advocate for inclusive procurement targets, equitable commercial leasing practices, and streamlined licensing.
Support disaster relief access, technical assistance funding, and fee waivers during declared emergencies.
Seattle Black-Owned Business Leadership and Innovation
Seattle’s Black-owned businesses drive culinary creativity, cultural stewardship, and professional expertise. Community commitment turns that leadership into lasting growth.
Culinary Excellence
Communion Restaurant & Bar in the Central District blends tradition and modernity, modeling how neighborhood-rooted brands scale with authenticity and quality.
Ezell's Famous Chicken demonstrates operational excellence across locations, showing how consistency and community investment can become a regional anchor.
Succotash at Pike Place Market brings soul food to a global audience, reinforcing how visibility in iconic venues can translate into sustainable customer pipelines.
Retail and Services
Nubian Hueman Gallery elevates Black artists and makers, building cultural equity alongside retail revenue.
The Phinery meets the specific needs of Black women through specialized care and product knowledge, turning personal services into community wellness.
Hamp's Barber Shop operates as an intergenerational gathering space where entrepreneurship and mentorship intersect.
Professional Services
Jones & Associates Law Firm advances access to justice and navigates complex matters for small businesses and families.
Rainier Valley Wellness Center integrates physical and mental health supports, reflecting a whole-community approach to care.
Tacoma Black-Owned Business Leadership and Innovation
Tacoma’s Black-owned businesses expand opportunity through hospitality, creative industries, and health services.
Food and Hospitality
Southern Kitchen Restaurant anchors family traditions and community gatherings while maintaining high standards for consistency and service.
Dejit's Catering demonstrates flexible, event-based operations that scale from intimate meals to corporate functions.
Creative and Cultural Enterprises
Urban Grace Media grows local brands through storytelling, photography, and video, strengthening the marketing capacity of peer small businesses.
Tacoma Urban League pairs advocacy with entrepreneurship support, leveraging institutional influence to open doors for founders.
Health and Wellness
New Leaf Wellness Center centers culturally responsive care, connecting prevention, treatment, and education to improve outcomes.
Institutional Roles and Partnerships
Long-term resilience requires aligned strategies that extend beyond individual transactions.
Educational Partnerships
Seattle Colleges connects entrepreneur education with real-world application through continuing education programs. Purpose: expand skills in finance, marketing, data, and operations while linking students to internship and consulting projects that strengthen Black-owned businesses.
Networking and Collaboration
Host supplier showcases, vendor-in-residence rotations, and industry mixers.
Facilitate peer learning cohorts focused on certifications, procurement readiness, and compliance.
Policy and Advocacy Support
Encourage inclusive procurement, prompt-pay standards, and fee relief during disruptions.
Support zoning and permitting practices that protect neighborhood commercial corridors.
Measurement and Accountability
Track spend with Black-owned suppliers and report progress.
Gather feedback from business owners to improve programs and purchasing processes.
Economic Justice Through Community Action
Investing in Black-owned businesses advances community self-determination and shared prosperity. Local spending builds jobs, stabilizes commercial corridors, and accelerates wealth creation that benefits the entire region. During system shutdowns, community action is not a substitute—it is a strategy for equitable recovery and long-term growth.
Moving Forward Together
The path is clear: innovate to open markets, invest to build capacity, and influence to remove barriers. Commit to buying from Black-owned firms, offering mentorship, partnering with CDFIs, and reviewing organizational procurement practices. Together, Seattle and Tacoma can break barriers and push past boundaries—so Black-owned businesses not only endure disruptions but lead the way forward.
