Although a recent report showed that Black business ownership increased by 30% during the pandemic, Black women–led business owners still face a disproportionate number of challenges, from funding to mentorship.
Now running for its third consecutive year, the Black Girl Magic Summit Pitch Competition was created by Capital One Business and Boss Women Media to support growth in underserved communities, advance socioeconomic mobility and close gaps in equity and opportunity.
“I believe if we can create resources for Black women to gain access to capital, we can change families, communities and generations to come,” said Marty McDonald, Founder and CEO of Boss Women Media. “I am on a mission at Boss Women Media to change the narrative around Black women and sit in spaces that allow others to not just survive but thrive.”
Below are the three winners:
First Place ($50,000): Amber Williams, Le Rouge Cuisine
While working at a corporate job, Amber Williams dreamed about running her own catering business full-time. In 2014, Williams took a leap.
“I was on a tightrope, trying to balance a job I hated that was paying my bills and the future business I had always dreamed about,” said Williams. “I remember one day, I turned to God and asked, ‘What do I do?’ To my surprise, in the most calm voice, he said, ‘Jump.’ With assurance and a little fear, I quit my job and began my entrepreneurial endeavor as a self-taught chef.”
Williams created Le Rouge Cuisine with one goal in mind: to serve memorable food to as many people as possible. Today, Le Rouge offers professional, customizable and unique catering services, bringing the Creole dining experience to guests with Southern charm and hospitality. Still, Williams has bigger plans for Le Rouge: to further education and access to healthy meals in food disparaged communities.
Second Place ($30,000): Blair Gyamfi and Morgan Taylor, Moms Actually
Blair Gyamfi and Morgan Taylor set out on a mission during the COVID-19 pandemic: to redefine motherhood and break the unfair societal expectations imposed upon women. Together, Gyamfi and Taylor created their talk show, Moms Actually, as a space to hold candid and vulnerable discussions about womanhood and motherhood.
With Gyamfi’s experience with postpartum anxiety and Taylor’s journey through motherhood at the age of 19, both women knew all too well that parenthood isn’t always as glamorous as social media portrays it to be. On Moms Actually, Gyamfi and Taylor speak candidly about the realities of motherhood, breaking away from the glossy portrayal on social media.
“We are building a community where motherhood meets sisterhood to support those who have felt alone in their personal parenting journey, giving them a relatable voice to champion their experiences.”
Third Place ($20,000): Fathiyyah Doster, Juice Defined
For Fathiyyah Doster, the path to founding Juice Defined began with multiple life-altering experiences. Not only did Doster have a near-death experience with HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets) but she also battled years of health issues and surgeries. During this trying time, Doster saw the benefits of juicing in her healing journey. And so, Juice Defined came to be.
By providing nutritious options, Doster aims to bring awareness to the simple, daily practices people could do to improve their quality of life. “I am a living testimony of what simple changes can do,” said Doster.
Today, Juice Defined provides made-to-order raw, fresh, cold-pressed juices delivered straight to customers’ doors. Established in a food desert, her business uniquely offers healthy options to the Opa-Locka community.
These top three finalists were chosen for their inspirational businesses and the positive impact their endeavors have on their communities. Zainep Mahmoud, Vice President of Small Business Card at Capital One, hopes that the grant will “not only help the winners grow their companies but also continue to help communities thrive.”
To learn more about Capital One’s efforts in elevating Black women in business, visit Capital One’s Commitments page here.
This article was paid for by Capital One and created by HuffPost’s Branded Creative Team. HuffPost editorial staff did not participate in the creation of this content.