Black Entrepreneurs in D.C. Show How Local Ecosystems Can Power 2026
iqra
January 28, 2026
Washington D.C.’s Focus on Black Business Support
As 2026 begins, cities like Washington, D.C. are putting Black business support at the center of their economic strategies. A recent Washington Informer article notes that, after a year marked by inflation and rising unemployment—especially for Black workers—entrepreneurs and local leaders are pushing companies and government to treat supporting Black businesses as a core equity priority, not a side initiative. Boosting economic opportunities and bolstering Black businesses is emphasized, with the power of the Black dollar highlighted.
The Mix of Public Policy and Private Action in D.C.
In D.C., that looks like a mix of public policy and private action: revitalizing downtown, growing the sports economy, and ensuring Black-owned businesses have opportunities in those big projects. It also looks like something deeper: a shift from waiting on corporate “handouts” to emphasizing ownership. As leadership expert Mick Hunt puts it, “The future of Black businesses isn’t tied to corporate handouts, it’s tied to ownership. Stop waiting for a seat at the table and start building your own.” Events like the Black Wealth Summit in D.C. focus on wealth building and entrepreneurship. The CBCF’s 2025 Policy for the People summit convened experts to reimagine Black wealth.
Black Pages International as a Consistent Platform for Black-Owned Businesses
Black Pages International is built on that same conviction. Instead of waiting for sporadic spotlight moments, BPI offers a consistent platform where Black-owned businesses can be found 24/7 by customers, institutions, and partners committed to equity.
How BPI Supports Local Ecosystems
For local ecosystems, a directory like BPI can:
- Serve as an official companion tool to city programs that claim to support Black businesses—if you are launching a grant, a downtown revitalization project, or a “shop local” campaign, you need a comprehensive list of Black-owned businesses ready to participate.
- Provide instant discoverability when tourists, convention organizers, or sports fans come to town and want to spend money with Black-owned restaurants, retailers, and service providers.
- Create a measurable pipeline: cities can track how many of their Black-owned firms are listed, how often the directory is used, and where there is still a need to fill gaps in industries or neighborhoods.
Bridging the Racial Wealth Divide in Urban Economies
Integrating Black-owned businesses into urban economies is essential for promoting Black economic prosperity and bridging the racial wealth divide. The 2025-2026 BLACKprint provides policymakers with a blueprint for meaningful change. Programs like The Road to Millions accelerator help Black entrepreneurs scale.
The Two-Fold Answer for D.C. Entrepreneurs
For D.C. entrepreneurs reading that article and wondering what to do next, the answer is two-fold: plug into local programs and claim your digital real estate. Get into the rooms where policy is discussed, and get into the directory where customers are searching. During National Black Business Month, shifting spend to Black-owned businesses is encouraged.
Black Pages International: Part of a Larger Story
Black Pages International lets D.C. be one page in a much larger story—a region in a national (and global) map of Black-owned excellence. When local movements connect to national infrastructure, momentum multiplies. With challenges like tariffs impacting Black-owned businesses, strong ecosystems are vital. Events like “Weaving the Future” advance Black business ownership and equity.
