In this three-part series honoring Black History Month, I’m speaking with a group of Black female business leaders about how they’re thriving in a society that hasn’t traditionally supported their success. The first installment explored the mindsets that have helped them overcome obstacles, while this article highlights a surprising growth secret that many share. Stay tuned for the final article in the series, coming soon.
When entrepreneurship feels overwhelming, it can be tempting to develop a scarcity mindset and become competitive–resenting others’ success because it gives our critical inner voice another opportunity to tell us we’re failing in comparison. But a growing number of founders—especially from underrepresented groups—find that lifting others up amplifies their impact.
To celebrate Black History Month, I spoke with six Black female entrepreneurs about why pouring into others is foundational to their success. To them, fostering a diverse team, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, and empowering your peers aren’t wastes of resources—they’re sound business strategies.
In my work as a therapist and executive coach, I regularly see how this “rising tide lifts all ships” mentality benefits my clients. Although it’s hard to hang onto an abundance mindset when things feel tough, doing so is critical to thriving. Read on to discover different ways to uplift others while keeping your paramount goals at the forefront.
‘I Focused on Relationships, Not Just Revenue’
When Ogaga Johnson started building Verisult Training and Consulting Inc, she struggled to secure funding as a Black female entrepreneur and immigrant to Canada.
Johnson began paying as much attention to her relationships as she was to building her bank account. “That experience taught me that achievement and leadership aren’t about having all the money; it’s about bringing together people with the right skills and vision to make something great,” she says. This inspired a renewed commitment to foster collaboration, build inclusive opportunities, and empower skilled immigrants to help each other succeed.
She wants other founders to remember: “True advancement comes when you lift others as you climb, creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”
‘I Tapped Into The Power Of Community To Increase Impact’
Alicia White, founder of community organization Project Petals and environmental innovation company Blue SKYIE, believes that empowering other climate leaders amplifies her impact.
“True leadership involves fostering collaboration and providing access to BIPOC leaders,” she says. “This knowledge has shaped how I approach entrepreneurship, ensuring that my business and initiatives address environmental challenges while also creating space for leaders like me to contribute to sustainable solutions.”
As an added benefit, this approach gave White a community of like-minded Black women to lean on when facing challenges. “Find mentors who can guide you on your journey and, when you reach a level of mastery, pay it forward by becoming a mentor to others,” she advises other entrepreneurs.
‘I Gave My Team New Opportunities, Helping Us All Thrive’
LaKeasha Brown says that giving her team new opportunities was one of the best decisions she made while growing her company, 1987 Juices.
When preparing to travel to Washington, DC to attend a conference, Brown learned that only one of her four team members had ever traveled out of the state. “I negotiated accommodations, travel, and pay for each of them to attend instead of hiring a temporary marketing team in DC,” she explains. The investment paid off, improving employee retention and allowing for more authentic brand promotion at the conference.
While advice from others can give you ideas for how to scale, Brown encourages leaders to keep sight of their purpose and values in decision-making to maximize breakthroughs.
‘I Stopped Breaking Barriers Alone’
Before founding her company, PR agency Better Together, Catharine Montgomery was stuck in a toxic workplace riddled with microaggressions and systemic racism. The experience inspired her to build her company on a foundation of inclusion, amplifying underrepresented voices, and ensuring every team member and client feels valued and empowered.
“It taught me that success isn’t about enduring environments that diminish your worth but about creating spaces where equity, authenticity, and innovation thrive,” Montgomery says.
She urges founders stuck in unwelcoming spaces to trust the value of their perspective and surround themselves with allies who believe in it. “Stay true to your vision and create opportunities that uplift others—breaking barriers is most impactful when you’re not climbing alone,” she explains.
‘I Revamped The Hiring Process To Truly Focus On People’
When Kimone Napier started her talent development firm Hire Breakthrough, she knew she was doing something radical by prioritizing people over profits.
“I saw how traditional hiring practices excluded underrepresented talent and knew I had to create a process that made diversity and inclusion actionable,” Napier explains. Instead of holding her back, this approach has driven her to help over 1,000 entrepreneurs build diverse, high-performing teams.
She hopes other founders will align their work with the larger community change they want to make. “Redefining excellence starts with prioritizing intentionality and building systems that break down barriers for yourself and others,” she shares.
‘I Created The Path For Others To Follow’
After spending most of her career as the only Black person in the professional spaces she inhabited, Leah Dergachev was excited to create a new norm when starting her marketing company, Austley.
The business is built around offering services that amplify Black women’s voices, paving the way for a major launch later this year. “So often we’re fighting for more Black representation, but true victory isn’t just about breaking into rooms where we’re underrepresented—it’s about building our own tables and inviting others to join us,” Dergachev explains.
Her advice to other founders? “Trust your voice, embrace your perspective, and create the path that inspires others to follow.”
These stories show that spending time uplifting others and fostering community can expand business resources, rather than deplete them. Stay tuned for the last installment in this series, where we’ll talk to a group of leaders about how bringing their authentic selves to the forefront has helped their growing companies.
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