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This post was originally published in 2025 and has been updated for Black History Month 2026.
This year’s theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, established by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), honors the legacy that began in 1926 with Negro History Week, an observance created by historian Carter G. Woodson to ensure Black history would be studied, shared, and recognized as essential to understanding American history. One hundred years later, that mission remains as vital as ever.
As we recognize this centennial moment, we are reminded that honoring Black history is not confined to a single month — it is an ongoing commitment to education, equity, and inclusion.
A century of commemoration also invites reflection on where progress has been made—and where barriers persist. While Black History Month calls us to remember and learn, it also challenges us to act by supporting Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners whose contributions continue to drive economic and social impact.
The Geller Law Group is committed to supporting Black-owned businesses. We are proud to provide legal guidance to Black entrepreneurs across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, helping them navigate the complexities of launching, growing, and sustaining their businesses.
According to the most recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 194,585 Black or African American–owned employer businesses in the United States, generating $211.8 billion in annual receipts, employing approximately 1.6 million workers, and accounting for about $61.2 billion in annual payroll (U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey). Despite this scale, Black-owned businesses still represent only about 3–3.3% of all U.S. employer firms, even as Black Americans make up roughly 14.4% of the U.S. population.
Black women, in particular, continue to be a driving force in entrepreneurship. Data from the National Women’s Business Council on Black women-owned businesses show that Black women-owned firms have grown faster than businesses overall, including a more than 20% increase in a single year, significantly outpacing broader business growth (NWBC business ownership data). Their continued leadership underscores the importance of sustained access to capital, legal resources, and long-term support.
Supporting Black-owned brands is one of the many ways to be an ally and show support to a community that has been deeply affected by systemic racism. Black business owners are turned down for loans twice as often as their counterparts, creating significant barriers to growth. Not only does buying Black uplift marginalized entrepreneurs and creatives, but it also brings visibility to a wider range of products and services that are otherwise underrepresented in the market.
Here are some ways to show your support:
Looking for Black-owned businesses to support? Explore these directories for a wide range of products and services:
Supporting our local Black-owned businesses is an excellent place to start:
While Black History Month provides a dedicated time to honor Black excellence, meaningful support must extend beyond February. As we mark a century of Black history commemorations, investing in Black-owned businesses remains one of the most tangible ways to expand opportunity, strengthen local economies, and support long-term equity.
This Black History Month, and throughout the year, we encourage you to take action: support Black-owned businesses, amplify their work, and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient economy.
If you own or know of a Black-owned business that should be included in our collection of resources, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Alicia Russman to have your business added to our lists.
If your business needs legal guidance or support at any stage of growth, The Geller Law Group is here to help. Contact our team to learn how we can support your long-term success.
Black History Month serves as an essential time to reflect on the contributions of Black Americans in shaping our society, economy, and culture. Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History establishes a theme to highlight significant aspects of Black history.
For 2025, the theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the integral role Black workers have played throughout history, from the forced labor of enslaved Africans to the skilled trades, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and labor movements that have driven economic and social progress.
Black History Month was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a pioneering historian dedicated to preserving and promoting Black history. In 1915, he established the ASALH, which continues to lead efforts in researching and sharing the rich narratives of Black life, history, and culture worldwide.
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