According to this Go Daddy report, Black women represent the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs. Despite these statistics, how many entrepreneurs could you name who are members of Delta Sigma Theta or Alpha Kappa Alpha sororities (also known as the Divine 9)?
Divine 9 entrepreneurs aren’t household names yet like these women in the fields of law, politics, social justice, sports, journalism or entertainment. While there have always been Black women who owned their own business – beauty salons, clothing stores and restaurants – these businesses were typically limited to serving local customers only.
The internet, social media and access to new opportunities and funding have changed that. There has never been a better time in history for a Black woman to open a business in the US. (not saying it is easy or that the playing field is even). These Black women have businesses that are creating generational wealth.
Whether you are considering becoming an entrepreneur and need some inspiration, want to support a fellow Greek, or just want to keep your dollars circulating within the Black community (or, maybe, all three), here is a list of 20 extraordinary entrepreneurs from the “Divine 9.”
Some of the women listed are honorary members, some pledged on the graduate chapter level, and others pledged the traditional way, as an undergraduate. They are all worth following.
1 Pinky Cole, Slutty Vegan, Delta Sigma Theta
Pinky Cole founded the restaurant in 2018, deciding to use sex as a theme for her restaurant because of its ability to attract non-vegan customers. It went from a shared kitchen to a food truck to a brick-and-mortar location in the Atlanta area. In 2023, the restaurant had 11 locations with plans to open more. In 2023, she was added to the Time magazine 100 Next list, recognizing individuals with an outsized influence on American culture.
She won a coveted bid for a permanent location at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—the busiest airport in the U.S. In an economy where less than two percent of Black and Latinx female founders raise venture capital, Cole has raised more than $25 million in venture funding to date. She is also wrote a book “I hope you fail” chronicling her entrepreneurial journey.
2 Sheila Johnson, Salamander Collection, Alpha Kappa Alpha
After a rather notable career as an entrepreneur (co-founder of BET), producer, philanthropist and sports entertainment mogul, Johnson set her sights on hospitality. After bringing the best hospitality leaders on board her team, Johnson touts that the Salamander Collection is a “highly distinctive, growing portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, intentionally chosen for their peerless ability to reflect the authenticity and character of a given city.” Johnson is the first billionaire African American woman.
3 Melissa Butler, The Lip Bar, Delta Sigma Theta
A rejection on Shark Tank only fueled Melissa’s tenacious spirit—motivating her to reclaim power over her own dream. She grew The Lip Bar beyond lipstick to TLB: award-winning maximum impact, minimal effort beauty must-haves for all. Over 1,000 Target stores carry her vegan based beauty products. Given how crowded and competitive the beauty industry is, this is no small feat especially for someone who is not a celebrity.
4 Cathy Hughes, Urban One, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Cathy Hughes is founder and chairperson of Urban One, Inc. (formerly Radio One, Inc), the largest African-American owned and operated broadcast company in the nation. Urban One, Inc. is a multi-media conglomerate that generates original content across the spectrums of radio, television and digital media. Hughes started her media empire in a one-room office, that she moved into with her young son while pursuing her dreams. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Hughes adamantly promotes the importance of education that her parents endorsed: “We are down to just four Black boarding schools in America.” Hughes’ family owns a 109-year-old boarding school in Mississippi and credited the institution, as well as her family, for the influential role education has played in her life.
5 Judi Henderson, Mannequin Madness, Delta Sigma Theta
Rarely do you see a Black woman owning a business in the recycling industry or the mannequin industry. Judi is both. When retail stores close or remodel, they contact Mannequin Madness to recycle their unwanted mannequins. Her company diverts thousands of mannequins every year from ending up in landfills. Judi resells the used mannequins on the company website at discount prices along with new mannequins. If you have seen images of Dress Form Christmas trees, Judi helped to popularize this idea along with other unique ways to use mannequins as crafty projects. Hence, her nickname: “The Queen of Mannequins.” Interesting factoid: Tina Turner, “The Queen of Rock and Roll” was the inspiration behind Judi starting this business. Read about it here.
6 Allyson Felix, Saysh Shoes, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Allyson Felix is the most decorated track & field athlete of all time with 11 Olympic and 20 World Championship medals. However, when she became pregnant, she was forced to choose between her family and her career when her long standing sponsor offered her a 70% pay cut. As they say, don’t get mad, get even. Her successful athletic shoe business, Saysh, was her response. Felix is bringing her sorority along with her success as an entrepreneur: She created SAYSH ONE AKA, a custom and limited edition sneaker in AKA’s signature salmon pink & apple green colors. A percentage of sales from those shoes will go directly to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to support its program initiatives.
7 Ricki Stevenson, Black Paris Tours, Delta Sigma Theta
Ricki Stevenson, a former journalist, and radio personality, founded Black Paris Tours. The idea for Black Paris Tours grew out of her lifelong dream of living in Paris and six years experience as an international travel reporter with a California-based TV network.
She is a real life “Emily in Paris” who created a niche in the international tourism industry. Black Paris Tours offer a richly unique cultural experience, providing travelers with information, insight and little known facts about the wealth of Black history in Paris.
The contribution of Black people is front and center instead of being a footnote like with other tour companies. Black Paris Tours takes travelers to the hangouts, haunts and places made famous by African American musicians, soldiers, writers, artists, historians, celebrities, and political exiles.
8 Amanda “EJ” Morrison, Mented Cosmetics, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Amanda “EJ” Morrison co-created Mented in 2017 with AJ Miller. “Pigment is our passion” is their tagline. The Mented web site extols that the beauty company exists “to celebrate all hues and to make beauty truly, wonderfully inclusive.” Amanda started another business, Now, Morrison is shifting to a new industry—healthcare and women’s emergency contraception pills. She started Julie, a new healthcare company helping people prevent unwanted or mistimed pregnancies with an FDA-approved morning after pill.
9 Kahlana Barfield, Barfield Clothing, Delta Sigma Theta
Kahlana Barfield Brown has carved a niche for herself in the hyper-competitive world of fashion and beauty publishing. Formerly the Beauty Editor of InStyle Magazine, Kahlana serves as an ambassador for leading fashion brands globally, using her influence to inspire her audience
In 2023 Target added her clothing designs as part of their Future Collective brand, a collection of pieces created in partnership with fashion influencers.
10 Dr. Latoya Thompson, Opulence Wines, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Like many, Thompson got into wine by sipping it at social events. But her background in science (physical therapy) always had her curious about the grape-to-glass journey. She read widely, took viniculture classes, and studied wine and food pairings until her husband, a businessman, pointed out that they should be making money, not spending so much of it on wine. Opulence Wines is based in Detroit, but ships nationally.
11 Theopatra Lee,Theopolis Vineyards, Delta Sigma Theta
Lee is a San Francisco-based lawyer. When she’s not “lawyering,” Lee is at Theopolis Vineyards,her small-lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in Mendocino County near the border of Sonoma County. Theopolis Vineyards produces Petite Sirah grapes, which are intensely ripe and delicious. Established in 2003, Wine Critic Robert Parker bestowed upon wine made from Lee’s first harvest in 2006 a stellar rating of 94-96 points.
12 Stacie Smith Mizzi, Abundance Brands, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Abundance Brands provides marketing expertise in brand management, business development, and consumer/lifestyle brands strategy. With clients like Procter & Gamble, SheaMoisture, Dial, The Lip Bar, Kopa Market, and Elle Olivia, Stacie has become known for using a unique blend of creativity and analytics to develop innovative strategies that win the hearts and minds of consumers.
13 Shane Gowdy, SGBM Agency, Delta Sigma Theta
Gowdy is CEO of SG Brand Management, established in Metro-Detroit. SGBM offers complete social media takeover (organic & paid), organic & paid search takeover, email/SMS campaigning, SEO, digital strategy, branding, digital storytelling and consulting. Gowdy touts: “We help our clients and partners to build the kind of world we want to live in.”
14 Erin Butler, Ardor Hair Company, Alpha Kappa Alpha
AKA Erin Butler (far right, in photo above) and her co-workers, Jerdona Caston and Mo’Shai Gibbs are three HBCU college friends with a passion for extensions who founded Ardor Hair. Ardor is a luxury hair extension brand for women offering raw, Cambodian hair that is 100% unprocessed, collected from a single donor, with straight, wavy, and curly textures,
15 Imani Rickerby, Aurora Tights, Delta Sigma Theta
Imani Rickerby and her fellow athletes and cofounders, Sydney Parker, and Jasmine Snead,constantly struggled to find tights to match their skin tones while performing competitively. The three friends/athletes founded Aurora Tights in 2018 to meet the needs of melanated athletes and dancers. Lifetime ice skater Rickerby serves as COO & Chief of Product Design.
16 Shekesia Joyner, of Art & Fact Design Studio, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Shekeshia Joyner is founder and creative director of Art & FACT, a boutique interior design studio located in Baltimore, Maryland. Her design services are focused on multi-family, hospitality, and residential spaces. Joyner is a licensed interior designer with a decade-plus of experience; she also teaches at Montgomery College.
17 Maya Sandifor, Mandala Change Group, Delta Sigma Theta
Founder and CEO of the Mandala Change Group, Maya has 25+ years experience in organizational development for nonprofits and corporations of all sizes. She is a licensed coach, a certified diversity professional, and has a master’s degree in organizational development. Mandala Change Group provides strategic support to a wide range of organizations on organizational development, strategic planning, change management, racial equity, and executive coaching.
18 Rebecca Henry (with Akua Shabaka), House of Aama, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Manufactured 100% in Los Angeles, the mother-daughter clothing line creates garments with nostalgic and folklore references, calling upon historical research and ancestral memories to offer fashions of the Black experience. Rebecca is an attorney in private practice but artistically oriented in nature with sewing, quilting and art hobbies. Akua, the daughter is a 2019 graduate of Parsons The New School for Design with a BBA in Strategic Design and Business Management.
19 Phyllis Newhouse, Xtreme Solutions, Inc. & Shoulders Up, Delta Sigma Theta
Serial entrepreneur and investor, Newhouse founded Xtreme Solutions, Inc. (XSI), a leading information technology and cybersecurity firm; she also founded Shoulder Up Technology Acquisition Corp., a 501c3 fund with a diverse portfolio of media, technology companies, and sports entertainment.
20 Nicole Borders, Pound Bizness, Delta Sigma Theta
Founded in 2018, Nicole Borders (and husband, Reggie), Pound Bizness offers local pickup and nationwide shipping of her various flavors of pound cakes for family gatherings, team meetings, organizational events, church fundraisers, or just because.
Note: Shout out to the 15% pledge and Fearless Fund (co-founded by Arian Simone, a member of Delta Sigma Theta) – two initiatives that are supporting Black women in getting a larger share of venture capital funding, grants, and access to national retailers.
If there is a business owner you think should be on this list, please send an email to [email protected] with the details. It would be nice to have enough names to have a part two list.
