Black Excellence Through Entrepreneurship

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate small business – self-determination, generational wealth, job creation. But for Black entrepreneurs, there is one factor that doesn’t get a lot of attention: happiness! According to a recent survey by Guidant Financial, of more than 2,600 people who either owned a small business or were hoping to start one, 56 percent of African American small business owners rated their happiness at nine or 10 on the rating scale (10 being the happiest), two percent more than the average small business owner. Since the late 19th century, Black business owners in the U.S. have been working to create their own joy.

This is why we are kicking off our yearlong celebration of Black Excellence through Entrepreneurship during Black History Month. After all, like Toni Morrison asked, “What’s the world for if you can’t make it up the way you want it?”

Throughout 2020 we will be sharing stories about Black entrepreneurs who are impacting their communities and industries throughout California. Our first video features Erich and Yvette Nall of Ultimate Transformations Training, an organization that the couple has been building for 30 years. Erich aka “Coach E” also trains our L.A. Soul Steppers Walking Group every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in South Los Angeles.