“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
—Booker T. Washington
For only 52 years, America has recognized the contributions of Black people to America. For hundreds of years, Black people built America, and still do, and for 52 years, America has recognized that, in the shortest month of the year.
Recently, NBC News covered black entrepreneurs struggling to enter the cannabis industry, reporting that “the numbers are disturbing. Less than a fifth of the people involved at an ownership or stake-holder level were people of color.”
So, we have to get louder, and more cheerful, and more unapologetically proud of Black people.
I’d give 420 reasons why this list is important, but we have 420 years of experience and proof that tells us why already, and NBC News.
Additionally, when black people in cannabis are accomplishing what seems to be the impossible, noise must be made and we must give these business owners their recognition, especially when their mission in the cannabis industry is centered around community, passion for the plant, and passion for the people.
With that said, please take a moment to learn about black owned businesses in cannabis, marijuana, hemp, and CBD.
Black Owned Businesses in Cannabis
Black Hemp Family: Black Hemp Family, growing hemp and offering services like: brand consulting, cultivation education, and formulation and sales consultations.
Ball Family Farms: the first vertically integrated, minority- owned, social equity commercial cannabis facility in Los Angeles.
Sixty Four and Hope: a Black, LGBTQ owned, wellness focused cannabis brand, launching dispensaries, with it’s first in California.
Low Key Dispensary: a Black owned dispensary in Massachusetts, on a mission to close the wealth gap with education and land acquisition.
Herbal Euphoria Skyn & Body: owned and operated in South Carolina, this is a Black woman owned hemp- CBD infused skin care company and spa.
Vanguard Media: a Black woman owned publication on a mission to close the gap between the sexes in the cannabis business.
Cash Color Cannabis: led by Black journalist and filmmaker, Mehka King, this podcast and platform is on a mission to change the way we have conversations about Cannabis.
Detroit Life Lounge: a Black woman owned membership based social lounge, focused on empowering cannabis entrepreneurship in Detroit.
Major Bloom: the first Black owned manufacturing operator coupled with a retail and delivery license, located in Massachusetts.
The Cola Lounge: a Black owned, premier consumption lounge and community space in St. Louis.
In Closing
Tips from three Black men in cannabis, for aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs:
- Making a decision is better than procrastinating.
- Be optimistic and it's ok to have a subtle naiveté.
- Get around those who inspire.
- Understand your company values and hire people that meet them.
- Motivate your team.
- Find your strength and surround yourself with people that can compliment your weaknesses.
- Be willing to become the COE (Chief of Everything) when you first start. As your company grows, be ready to take on the CEO position.
