Black History Month
During Black History Month (BHM), we celebrate the incredible contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. The Black community has made immeasurable contributions to the arts, sciences, politics, and beyond. Black entrepreneurs have played a significant role in these achievements, helping to provide jobs, income, mentorship, and economic growth in their communities.
We are proud to share examples of alumni from our Annual Impact Report of Black entrepreneurs who uphold the legacy of business excellence and community empowerment celebrated this month:
DISÉIYE
Diseiye Thompson is a Toronto-based fashion designer and the CEO of the clothing brand DISÉIYE. They create custom evening wear and work as a personal stylist for professionals, entertainers, musicians, and artists. The Nigerian-born entrepreneur draws design inspiration from their clients’ cultural experiences, shaping the company’s credo: “Preserving Stories Through Clothing.”
Charles & Company
Lawrence Charles is the founder of Los Angeles-based Charles & Company, an organic and kosher tea brewing company that ethically sources its ingredients from across the globe. What started as a small venture selling tea door-to-door has grown into an award-winning firm. Named U.S. Luxury Organic Tea Company of the Year in 2023 in the Food and Drink Awards from LUXlife, a luxury lifestyle magazine, Charles looks forward to seeing his company continue to scale.
STEPS by Kei-che
Combining American Sign Language, music, online education, and performance art, Kei-Che Randle, a Black Deaf woman, is enriching the lives of young Deaf/Hard of Hearing children and empowering them to thrive in educational settings. Through innovative programs like “Def Gospel Jams,” one-on-one mentoring, group instruction, and more, she is raising awareness and creating pathways to success and inclusion for students with hearing disabilities.
neMarc Professional Services, Inc.
Carmen Brown and Ken Harris are transforming temporary work into careers in government, education, and business to uplift communities. They are the founders of neMarc Professional Services, Inc., a professional staffing company that provides top-quality administrative and clerical employees for long-term commitments with government agencies and private companies. They attribute their company’s success to recruiting quality candidates.