The Covidpreneur

What Happens When Isolation Spurs Creation

By Staff Writer

According to research by the Gallup organization, thousands of people started businesses during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as many businesses struggled. More than half of the businesses started during the pandemic were Black Americans and Women.

A recent LA Times article reported that based on the Kauffman Foundation’s annual study, last year there were newer Black-owned businesses proportionate to the total population than at any time in the last quarter-century. Black entrepreneurism ranked higher than for white-owned and Asian-owned companies.

On average 380 out of every 100,000 Black adults became new entrepreneurs during the 2020 pandemic, up from 240 in each of the prior two years according to the study, based on census data. However, let’s be clear, COVID-19 crisis hit Black Americans particularly harder due to pre-pandemic barriers that were already plaguing the Black community. The fact that Black Americans have had to survive severe conditions and circumstances is not new. Having to create and make something out of nothing is not new to the Black community either.

One star to rise above the pandemic clutch is Mykayla Bryant, CEO of Brands by MK. Mykayla was not new to the media industry when she started her digital media business. The daughter of Urban Trendsetters Media founder Sharon S. Gordon, Mykayla has assisted in every aspect of her mother’s business at one time or another. “One of the things that always stuck out to me while listening to my mother consult with her clients was the importance of a business brand. How do you want to present your brand to potential clients and what does that look like?” states Mykayla.

Mykayla was raised in Ohio and is a proud graduate of Central State University, an Ohio HBCU. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Broadcast Media. Mykayla began honing her skills as a content creator and social media director when her then employee discovered her talent after requesting, she “help” them with social media. This favor soon became a new position and title for Mykayla as a Social Media Director. During her off-time, Mykayla began assisting her mother on client projects while taking on small projects from other family members and friends. In 2021 she launched Brands by MK to help passionate business owners make an impact with great content and design. “I understand that in today’s business climate, it’s not just enough to open your business, you have to be ready to go to market and promote your business. A well-designed logo, social media content, and branding materials are a must-have”.

In addition to her content and branding business, Mykayla is also Co-Founder of OPUS (The Official Pop-Up-Shop). This quarterly event features over 50 vendors per event and was created to allow small businesses and many of her clients the opportunity to promote and sell their products, goods and services. For more information and business branding services visit www.brandsbymk.com.

Mykayla Bryant, CEO, Brands By MK

Urban Trendsetters TV to air HBCU Games through Distribution Deal with HBCUTO GO

Urban Trendsetters Television will bring HBCU games to broadcast this Fall with HBCU ToGO TV. Entertainment Studios will be offering a syndicated sports package starting this Fall. The HBCUGo Sports Network is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). America loves its free live sports and now we can enjoy the talents of students and athletes from Historically Black Colleges every week. For more information on how your company can partner with Urban Trendsetters Televison visit www.

Current Scheduled Games Time for the 2022 Football Season

*Albany St at Florida A&M- 6pm *Southern at Texas Southern-TBD *Arkansas Pine-Bluff at Alcorn State-TBD *Grambling State at Prairie View-6pm *Grambling State at Alabama A&M-1pm *Jackson State at Bethune Cookman-TBD *Campbell at Jackson State-Homecoming-TB *Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Florida A&M-4pm *Alabama State at Bethune Cookman-TBD *Bethune Cookman at Alcorn State-TBD *Texas Southern at Alabama A&M-TBD