In this ever-changing economy, more and more people are seeking entrepreneurship. However, it’s a risky business. According to Luisa Zhou, one in five of her companies go bankrupt within 18 months of operation. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community face even more challenges than the general public when starting a new business. According to a report by the Movement Advancement Project, nearly 46% of LGBTQIA-owned businesses said they were denied every loan or business loan they applied for. The project also cited employee health and safety as the primary reason for temporary closures and reduced hours, and noted that LGBTQIA-owned businesses are more likely to face financial challenges.
Fortunately, there are queer foxes who persevere through adversity and set the stage for others in their community. The LGBTQIA+ community has never lacked creativity and ingenuity, so it’s no wonder these Black and gay-owned businesses have been able to thrive. Here are her five Black LGBTQIA+ female entrepreneurs you should know about.
1. Angelica Ross (she/her)
You may know Angelica Ross from her starring roles on FX’s Pose and American Horror Story, but she’s more than just an actress. This beauty is also the CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises. The company aims to help the trans community become more financially healthy. TransTech provides education, jobs and other resources to transgender people who struggle to find work due to discrimination. They focus on the talent that lives within transgender people and help them utilize it as a source of income.
2. Chef Joya (she/her)
North Carolina-based chef Joya is known for creating delicious dishes that make you want to scream. Chef Joya is a lesbian woman who specializes in plant-based cuisine. She draws inspiration from many cultural flavors, including Afro-Caribbean, French, African and American soul food, to name a few. She runs a personal chef and catering service and has published multiple cookbooks for anyone in need of dinner inspiration. Chef Joya has been featured on Food Network and Tasty.She has also appeared in publications such as essence and Complex.
3. Kiyanna Stewart (she/her) & 4. Gianna Handy (she/her)
This couple, Kiyanna Stewart and Gianna Handy, bring new meaning to precious antiques in their New York-based interior design business. We specialize in vintage items that are valuable to the Black community. BLK MKT Vintage carefully selects black standard items JET Magazine and HBCU tools. The store also has large works related to black art.
5. Vanessa B. Miller (she/they)
Vanessa B. Miller is a self-taught jewelry maker who has learned to use her talents. She specializes in lapidary, gemology and metalwork, producing high quality jewelry and crystals. According to them, Miller is also a qualified clinician and focuses on her knowledge of the queer community. She honors queer liberation in jewelry by creating her pieces with healing crystals and metal stamps.Her work is featured below Essence Magazine, Huffington Postand buzzfeed.
These are just a few of the Black queer women entrepreneurs you should know about. To help further, please continue to support local LGBTQIA-owned businesses.
