August is Black Business Month, a time to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses. For the Entrepreneurship and Lending Teams at Communities Unlimited (CU), it highlights the incredible work and resilience of Black entrepreneurs in rural areas. CU works with many inspiring Black business owners who face unique challenges and show exceptional perseverance.
CU supports businesses like Kandice Winfield with TNA Mobile Notary, Annie-marie and Darryl Jenkins with iStaffing Services, and Justine McCall with Beautifully Blessed by providing resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities, helping them overcome challenges and thrive in their communities.
CU’s Entrepreneurship Team provides programs aimed at small business growth and wealth building. Their growth strategies focus on increasing revenues through contracting opportunities and enhancing profitability through management skill-building. CU also emphasizes wealth-building strategies to boost business equity and the personal net worth of business owners.
“Please join us in celebrating August Black Business Month,” said Cynthia Terry, CU’s Director of Entrepreneurship.
"As the wealth gap widens, it is more important than ever that we support Black-owned businesses since business ownership is a proven strategy that can increase family household income at a faster rate than traditional employment.”
— Cynthia Terry, CU Director of Entrepreneurship
As a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), CU’s Lending Team works closely with Black entrepreneurs, providing essential capital to help them thrive. They offer loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 for small businesses. CU has made over $45 million in loans across 24 states, empowering Black business owners to achieve their goals.
"Supporting Black businesses is crucial for achieving equity,”
— Michael Rivera, CU Director of Lending.
“At CU, we understand that today’s investments help build stronger, more resilient communities. This Black Business Month, let’s recognize the vital role these businesses play in shaping a brighter future,” said Rivera.
The Path to Freedom
Kandice Winfield, the owner of TNA Mobile Notary in Bentonville, Arkansas, started her notary business at the end of 2019, just as the COVID-19 pandemic changed how businesses operated. Specializing in witnessing document signings and verifying identities to prevent fraud, she began with just a small ad and wasn’t sure it would succeed.
In 2020, with everything shifting to home-based work, Kandice faced challenges, including the impact of George Floyd’s death and remote assignments from national title companies. She often had to navigate unfamiliar areas outside Bentonville, sometimes encountering houses with big Confederate signs. She took precautions like sending her location to her family and setting firm boundaries with clients.
During that stressful period, maintaining professionalism and treating all her customers consistently helped her manage the situation. Though she didn’t face much pushback, it was still challenging. She now avoids certain assignments in specific areas after certain hours.
When she first started her business, Kandice didn’t post her photo for the first year and a half, concerned that being a Black female might deter people from using her services. As her reputation grew through reviews and word-of-mouth, she gained the confidence to put her face on her website.
Overall, the response has been positive. Occasionally, cultural differences come into play, with some people trying to assert dominance, especially when they see a woman running the office. Some of her newer notaries have faced this, and she supports them by encouraging firm boundaries and consistent treatment of all clients.
When Kandice shows up for assignments, she often leaves with clients offering her snacks and a drink. She believes that meeting people where they are makes a significant difference. This approach is a crucial part of her business.
Kandice explained that entrepreneurship means freedom for her. As a young mom, she spent 18 years in the corporate world, feeling stuck as if it was her only option. She likened it to having one leg holding up a table; if that leg failed, everything would collapse.
Entrepreneurship has given her multiple legs to support her table. She no longer has to rely on one thing every day. She now has different options to depend on, granting her the freedom to control her financial situation and her time. It allows her to conduct business with high integrity, ensuring everyone gets the customer service they deserve. This space lets her help people in a meaningful way, even as a Black entrepreneur.
“Most people don’t realize I’m Black when they call,” Kandice said.
“When they come into my office and see a Black face behind the desk, you can see their faces light up. They often say, ‘You're one of us.’ It's a powerful moment that makes me emotional.”
Breaking Barriers
Darryl and Anne-Marie Jenkins own iStaffing Services, a recruitment, staffing, and consulting solutions company specializing in the manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics industries, in Batesville, Mississippi. Darryl is African American, and Anne-Marie is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI). Anne-Marie notes that in the South, people were used to working with the same vendors, making it difficult for new businesses to gain acceptance.
When they first started, they distributed business cards around Batesville but found it challenging to break into established businesses. The issue wasn’t necessarily racial but rather a resistance to change. However, by offering services like transportation, they began to overcome these preferences. The COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities as businesses urgently needed workers, turning a challenging situation into a blessing in disguise.
Anne-Marie appreciates events that highlight positives in the Black community, as they inspire her to improve and be part of a positive environment. She believes it’s crucial to always highlight good things happening and motivate others to reach their goals as entrepreneurs.
“Black Business Month shines a light on those who have overcome challenges,” Anne-Marie said. “When someone breaks through, it gives hope to others, showing that they too can succeed by following certain steps.”
"This is what Black History Month means to me and my husband—a reminder of how far we've come and the paths that have been paved for us to keep moving forward in whatever direction we choose."
“We always remember and give thanks to those who made it possible for us to progress in our personal lives and businesses. It’s crucial to reach back and help others in ways that weren’t available to us in the beginning.”
Creating Positive Change
Justine, the owner of Beautifully Blessed, a beauty salon in rural Delhi, Louisiana, maintains a positive outlook and is grateful for both her supporters and those who do not support her. Challenges often arise from those who do not support her business, whether because it is Black-owned or unfamiliar to them.
She loves challenges and strives to leave a lasting, positive impact on people, hoping to change their hearts and minds. Although it can be difficult, she loves the work because it feels like a ministry, allowing her to work closely with people and sometimes even change their perspectives.
Justine acknowledges that Black people historically did not have the same opportunities as others. Now, she believes it is crucial to continue progressing and making positive changes. She says support for her business should not be limited to Black Business Month; it should be based on the quality of service she provides. While some people support Black-owned businesses simply because they are Black-owned, her focus is on delivering quality service that everyone can appreciate.
She noted that in small towns, many family-run businesses consist of people from the same background. She thinks it’s crucial to include people from diverse backgrounds to ensure everyone feels comfortable. Justine is excited to make her business welcoming to all.
“I want to remain positive and focus on the people who support me,” Justine said. “Some will support me because my business is Black-owned, while others won’t for the same reason. It’s important to keep a positive outlook and always move forward. Concentrate on your clientele and the customers who support you, not those who don’t.
“Things will get better, one person at a time. When you interact with someone, focus on making a positive impact on them.”
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Black Business Month, it is important to recognize the resilience, creativity, and spirit of Black entrepreneurs in rural communities. Their stories inspire us to support and uplift Black-owned businesses, contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
In the words of Kandice Winfield,
“We belong here. We are capable and able.”
Let’s celebrate and support Black entrepreneurs not just in August, but every day of the year.
