Baltimore native Beverly Richards launched MFrank Apothecary, a luxury goat milk soap company, to honor her late mother while creating a family legacy. Each bar is hand-poured with natural ingredients, crafted by Richards and her children and grandchildren to nourish skin and celebrate tradition, love and artistry.
Category: BUSINESS
Posted inBUSINESS
Lighting the way: How Nailah Queen mentors Black women on growth and resilience
Baltimore native Nailah Queen is a serial entrepreneur whose career spans travel, wellness, beauty, and business coaching. In this Q&A, she shares how her own journey shaped her approach to mentoring Black women, offering advice on scaling businesses, overcoming challenges and building legacies.
Posted inBUSINESS
Black women business owners are redefining Baltimore’s future
In Baltimore, Black women entrepreneurs are reshaping the city’s economic and cultural future. From downtown revitalization to oyster innovation and creative stationery, Shelonda Stokes, Jasmine Norton and Alisa Brock are building purpose-driven businesses rooted in community and resilience.
Posted inBUSINESS
Howard, Bowie State alumnae build brands from passion
Howard University alumna Skyler Buchanan and Bowie State University alumna Chanel Turner have each carved unique paths in entrepreneurship—Buchanan with her custom rug business, Decor Ones, and Turner with her premium vodka brand, FOU-DRÉ. From a home studio to international shelves, both women continue to grow their ventures with persistence and a clear creative vision.
Posted inBUSINESS
From roots to remedies: How two entrepreneurs are preserving ancestral herbal knowledge
Herbalism, one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world, has deep roots in Africa and the Caribbean. Black women entrepreneurs Monica Joseph and Shalita O’Neale are keeping that ancestral knowledge alive—growing herbs, creating natural products and teaching their communities about the healing power of plants.
Posted inBUSINESS
Investing in equity: How grants provide Black women with pathways to success
Black women are launching businesses at record rates but often face steep barriers to funding. Grant programs like SoGal, IFundWomen of Color and the Fearless Fund are stepping up to fill the gap. With expert insights from Felicia Wise of UNCF, this article explores how targeted funding and transparent communication can help Black women entrepreneurs thrive.
Posted inBUSINESS
From parenting to profits: How moms are growing thriving businesses
Establishing work-life balance is challenging for any entrepreneur, but for these Black mothers, motherhood is a superpower that shapes how they run successful businesses and impact their communities.
Posted inBUSINESS
‘Lift as you rise’: Black women founders mentor the next wave of leaders
With more than 2 million businesses generating $118.7 billion collectively, Black women are reshaping U.S. entrepreneurship and mentoring the next generation as they rise.
Posted inHealth
Licensed but locked out: Why Vilissa Thompson built her own path in disability advocacy
Vilissa Thompson was on track to become a therapist, but after realizing the social work field wasn’t built for wheelchair users like herself, she took a different route. Now, as founder of Ramp Your Voice, she’s creating space for Black disabled women and femmes to be heard, supported and politically empowered.
Posted inBaltimore Events
ABC’s The Cookout returns: Celebrating Black culture, community and equity in Baltimore
Associated Black Charities (ABC) announced the return of its signature event, The Cookout, on Sept. 13, 2025, at The Village of Cross Keys in Baltimore. Presented by SECU, the free, family-friendly celebration will feature a march and rally, children’s activities, game tournaments, live entertainment, food trucks, and a showcase of Black-owned businesses.
Posted inBUSINESS
GBC and UpSurge outline vision, strategic priorities following merger
Following its merger with the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), UpSurge is focusing on data-driven strategies to support high-growth startups and strengthen the region’s innovation economy. The organizations aim to balance targeted investment with community-building efforts to create a more dynamic and resilient startup ecosystem.
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Greater Baltimore Urban League placed on immediate probation
The Greater Baltimore Urban League (GBUL) is officially on probation according to an Aug. 15 letter sent from the National Urban League. The communication, recently obtained by the AFRO, details 11 alleged violations by the GBUL Board of Directors.