The sun beats down on a classroom filled with young Black entrepreneurs huddled over laptops and business plans. Some debate pricing strategies while others sketch logos on notepads. This isn’t a typical summer activity, but for 25 teenagers in Minneapolis, it represents something far more significant: a pathway to economic independence.
The Better Black Business Project’s inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Camp concluded last week, marking what organizers hope will become a transformative annual tradition for Black youth in the region. The intensive two-week program immersed participants aged 14-18 in the fundamentals of business ownership, from concept development to financial literacy.
“What we’re witnessing is nothing short of revolutionary,” explains Jamar Clark, the program’s founder and a longtime Minneapolis business consultant. “These young people aren’t just learning business skills – they’re reclaiming economic narratives that have often excluded their communities.”
The camp emerged from concerning statistics about Black business ownership. According to Federal Reserve data, Black Americans own approximately 2.2% of the nation’s businesses despite making up over 13% of the population. This entrepreneurship gap translates to significant wealth disparities that persist across generations.
Participants like 16-year-old Kiara Washington are determined to change this trajectory. Her business concept – a subscription box featuring products from Black-owned beauty brands – earned top honors at the camp’s culminating pitch competition.
“Before this program, I never saw myself as someone who could run a company,” Washington admits. “Now I understand that entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money. It’s about creating something meaningful that serves your community.”
The camp’s curriculum blended practical skills with cultural affirmation. Mornings typically began with financial literacy workshops covering topics like cash flow management and credit building. Afternoons featured visits from successful Black entrepreneurs who shared their journeys and offered mentorship.
Marcus Johnson, owner of three local barbershops and a guest speaker, believes such representation is crucial. “When I was growing up, nobody in business looked like me. These kids are seeing that success isn’t just possible – it’s expected.”
The program’s $75,000 budget came primarily from corporate sponsors including Target and U.S. Bank, alongside community donations. Participants received stipends to offset potential summer job earnings, removing financial barriers to attendance.
Dr. Tanya Williams, an economist who studies minority business development at the University of Minnesota, sees such initiatives as essential economic infrastructure. “Access to entrepreneurial education creates multiplier effects across communities,” she explains. “Each successful business owner typically hires from their networks, mentors others, and reinvests locally.”
The camp’s impact extends beyond business fundamentals. Participants developed critical thinking skills applicable across disciplines and gained confidence presenting their ideas to audiences. During the final showcase, 14-year-old Jamal Henderson delivered a polished pitch for his urban gardening concept with the poise of a seasoned executive.
“What impresses me most is how these young people are already thinking about community impact,” notes Minneapolis City Council member Jeremiah Ellison, who attended the showcase. “They’re not just creating businesses – they’re solving problems.”
The Better Black Business Project plans to expand the program next summer, potentially doubling capacity. They’ve also launched a year-round mentorship initiative connecting camp graduates with established entrepreneurs who will provide ongoing guidance.
Participants have already begun implementing their business plans. Kiara Washington secured her first two subscription box customers during the showcase event, while another participant, Devon Taylor, launched an Instagram page for his custom sneaker design concept that gained over 300 followers within days.
Research from the Kauffman Foundation indicates early entrepreneurship education significantly increases the likelihood of business ownership later in life. Programs targeting underrepresented communities may help close persistent gaps in access to capital and networks that have historically limited minority business growth.
“What we’re building here isn’t just about individual success stories,” Clark emphasizes. “It’s about creating economic resilience within Black communities. When young people see business ownership as accessible, they become agents of change rather than just consumers.”
As the camp concluded, participants exchanged contact information and made plans to continue supporting each other’s ventures. This peer network may prove as valuable as the formal instruction, creating a supportive ecosystem for young Black entrepreneurs in Minneapolis.
For 15-year-old participant Marcus Wilson, the experience has permanently altered his perspective. “Before this summer, I thought success meant getting hired somewhere,” he reflects. “Now I understand that I can be the one doing the hiring.”
The Better Black Business Project is already securing funding for next year’s program while tracking outcomes from this inaugural cohort. If successful, the model could be replicated in other cities facing similar economic disparities.
As Washington packs up her business materials on the final day, she pauses to consider what she’s gained beyond business skills. “This experience taught me that my ideas matter,” she says. “And that’s something nobody can take away.”
