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LONDON
UK BLACK BUSINESS GUIDE 2021-22
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
B
LACK BUSINESSES are emerging into
a new post-pandemic world. A huge proportion of business moved online
during the long lockdown, and busi-
ness owners have had to adapt to stay afloat. This Black Business Guide
showcases the stories of how black-owned firms
have adapted to survive. For some this has been a blessing in disguise, meaning that the changes they made have brought them extra trade.
The Voice has a long history not just of cham-
pioning black business, but also of campaigning
against the barriers that face business owners such as discriminatory patterns in bank lending. A
survey we highlighted showed that less than half of black entrepreneurs trust banks, and without access to capital in order to grow, companies are
more likely to struggle. And we know that credit ratings are
sometimes impacted by the consequences of structural racism in society.
Four years ago The Voice decided to do more than simply
campaign on these issues or urge the community to buy black, as important as those things are.
We also wanted to produce a practical publication that both celebrated the success of black-owned firms and di-
rected our readers towards those products and services in order to keep more money circulating within the community.
And to reimagine finance for black business owners by
showing what great investments many companies are.
Behind every business is an idea, a dream, and sometimes inspiration flows from challenging situations.
This guide contains the stories of some who rose from per-
sonal adversity and ignored those who told them to get a
‘proper job’ in order to take the leap into being their own boss.
This fifth issue of the Voice Black Business Guide brings
you a slice of that experience, as well as a resource listing many black-owned businesses that allows the consumer to choose to spend their money within the community.
The pandemic has taken a toll on Britain’s black commu-
nity with higher death rates and higher redundancy rates, but there is one more silver lining. The COVID-19 lockdown has led to more people seeking out black businesses.
We hope that this guide will play a major part in direct-
ing business towards the many talented and innovative
black-owned services. Many black-owned small and medium-sized enterprises are at the cutting edge of innovation. Last year we celebrated the fact that the black community contributed a whopping £4 billion to the UK
economy. More of that money should be going to black businesses. Small businesses are the foundation of the UK economy, and black businesses are a key part of this.
The Voice would like to pay tribute to all those companies,
such as those making hair and other beauty products,
restaurants, tech firms, and many more. In the four years
since The Voice launched this guide, it has helped boost the ‘Black Pound’ by encouraging people to buy black.
This edition contains more stories such as the growth of
an online marketplace dedicated to shopping at blackowned firms, and a company that publishes books written by black children (not just for them).
We feature the personal testimonies of entrepreneurs
who bravely reveal the turmoil which promoted them to
change their circumstances by starting a business. This guide is being published in print and online.
Moving the guide online has meant the reach is massive-
ly extended, including being promoted on social media
such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Please continue to support black-owned businesses.
If you would like to advertise in the April 2022 edition, please contact us at:
advertising@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk LET US REBUILD TOGETHER!
