Women of Black Excellence
Founders, moguls and owners who heard "no" from banks, gatekeepers and whole industries — and built anyway.
Every list is published in Top 10, Top 12 and Top 15 installments. Every profile is fact-checked against its sources, and every person appears exactly once in this edition.
Three lists — twelve, twelve and ten — of founders, moguls and owners who heard “no” from banks, gatekeepers and whole industries, and built anyway.
The record of refusal is part of the record: thirty-two banks told Cathy Hughes no; eighty-six investors told Denise Woodard no; Arlan Hamilton built her fund while homeless. The second list begins smaller still — a $1,200 stimulus check, a syrup recipe in a mother's basement, a construction loan a bank would only approve with a husband's co-signature.
The third list turns to the keepers: funeral homes founded when Black families were turned away, a childcare empire built by a grandmother's hands, a beauty empire worth a billion. Thirty-four women, each appearing once in this edition, every profile fact-checked and sourced.
Women of Black Excellence
Thirty-two banks told Cathy Hughes no. Eighty-six investors told Denise Woodard no. Arlan Hamilton built her fund while homeless. "No" is just where these women start negotiating.
Women of Black Excellence II
A $1,200 stimulus check. A syrup recipe in a mother's basement. A construction loan a bank would only approve if a husband co-signed. These twelve turned scraps into companies.
Women of Black Excellence III
Funeral homes founded when Black families were turned away. A childcare empire built by a grandmother's hands. A beauty empire worth a billion. These women keep their communities — and their receipts.
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Questions & Answers
What are the biggest challenges for women business owners?
Every list is published in Top 10, Top 12 and Top 15 installments. Every profile is fact-checked against its sources, and every person appears exactly once in this edition. Founders, moguls and owners who heard "no" from banks, gatekeepers and whole industries — and built anyway. It links to 3 stories and articles — open any card to read the full piece.
How can women business owners build a strong network?
Founders, moguls and owners who heard "no" from banks, gatekeepers and whole industries — and built anyway. Every list is published in Top 10, Top 12 and Top 15 installments. Every profile is fact-checked against its sources, and every person appears exactly once in this edition.
How do I read the full stories on Women of Black Excellence?
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