Notice

This is a preview version of the website. Some content may not be up to date.

Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
From left to right: Kimberly Moore Davis, Abayomi Jones, and Lena Cooper.

August is Black Business Month, a celebration of Black-owned businesses and the vibrancy and resiliency they bring to communities across the country. Main Street programs have an important role to play in supporting existing Black-owned businesses and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems that facilitate the creation of new ones. We spoke to three Black business owners who were awarded Inclusive Backing grants from Main Street America and American Express to better understand their challenges, successes, and the kinds of support that have helped them the most.

Kimberly Moore Davis – Moore Accounting and Tax Service

Moore Accounting and Tax Service is an individual and corporate tax and accounting firm in Camden, AR. Kimberly Moore Davis owns and operates the business. She has an MBA and is currently a PhD candidate, and she has more than 21 years of accounting experience.

Before opening her own business, she worked as the CFO of a life insurance brokerage firm and had her own clients on the side. After 13 years, she decided it was time to turn her side job into a business. “It was time to work on the dreams I had for myself,” she said.

Her biggest challenge was finding start-up capital to launch her firm. “Just because you see the vision, banks and financing companies don’t necessarily see what you are planning to accomplish with your business,” she said. Now, she is focusing her PhD dissertation on the difficulties she faced raising capital and the lessons she learned. She wants to use her knowledge and experience to help other women of color navigate these challenges. Now that her business is established, she has been able to help more than 100 businesses get started.

Her local Main Street program, Camden Downtown Network, has helped her with grants, advertisements, and local downtown events that draw in foot traffic and publicity. She encourages others to start their own business, but also cautions them to remember the difficulties. “You must prepare yourself to work harder than you ever worked for anyone else,” she said. “You must remember you are building your dream opposed to someone else’s. Don’t give up because there is light at the end of the tunnel. It will all be worth it in the end.”

Abayomi Jones – At First Glance

At First Glance is a 3D/4D/5D ultrasound clinic located in El Cerrito, CA. They provide high quality multi-dimensional images of babies in utero to pregnant mothers and families celebrating their new arrivals. Jones decided to open the business during her first pregnancy. She sought out a 3D ultrasound to share with far-away family members but discovered that the nearest facility was more than a 90-minute drive away from El Cerrito. This gap in the market inspired her to pursue her own business.

Jones initially faced challenges securing adequate start-up capital to launch her business. She also found that she needed to educate her community about ultrasound technology and the benefits that this new technology would bring. “I learned that it is so important to have a clear vision for yourself, so that you can communicate the vision to others, and remind yourself when needed!” said Jones.

Despite these initial challenges, Jones’ business is now thriving. She is dedicated to her community and finds great satisfaction in supporting expectant mothers. “I'm proud of the way that I have incorporated At First Glance into the community and stayed true to the mission of being service oriented,” said Jones. “We now provide free baby books to every pregnant mother to help increase maternal-fetal bonding and promote early literacy.”

Her local Main Street program, Richmond Main Street, has been a huge support for throughout her journey. “Main Street has been a GREAT resource in staying abreast of changes and opportunities in the business community, as well as an identifier of grants and other needed financial resources,” said Jones.

“Go. For. It,” Jones urges other aspiring business owners. “A lot of times, for a lot of different reasons, certain people and certain groups are made to feel like excellence is immediately required,” she said. “Excellence is a process, and there will always be more to learn, more ways to stretch, and more ways to grow.”

Lena Cooper – Black Fox Salon

Black Fox Salon is a thriving hair salon in Superior, WI that serves all hair types as well as lash extensions and professional make-up. Owner Lena Cooper was inspired to open her business when she moved to Superior and noticed a gap in the marketplace: “I realized there wasn't anyone who looked like me with a salon that caters to all ethnicities,” she said.

“I am an artist who enjoys creating her own space, setting my own rules,” said Cooper, and opening her own business allowed her the creative freedom to explore her craft. “My salon is a reflection of my skills: cute, detailed, and innovative.”

In the past, she has struggled to find qualified staff who are licensed to perform braiding as well as hair cutting, styling, dyeing, and other necessary skills. Her area has a rich word-of-mouth styling network that, due to lack of licensure, can offer braiding services at lower prices than she is able to sustain. Nevertheless, she has been able to build a stable customer base. “My proudest success so far is that I'm still here and I keep striving,” said Cooper.

Her business is located within the Superior Business Improvement District. They helped her apply for, and win, an Inclusive Backing grant from American Express. She received $5,000 to support business operations and purchase new supplies.

“My advice to anyone that wants to start their own business is first be committed to your business,” she encourages. “Do it well, as if your life depends on the service you are giving—stay focused.” She also recommends becoming an active and visible member of your community, something a Main Street program can help with. “Remember the person or persons that are watching you are potential customers!”

Growing Diversity on Main Streets

Looking for another opportunity to support the Black-owned businesses in your district? Encourage them to apply for a Coalition to Back Black Businesses grant from American Express and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program will provide $5,000 grants to support Black-owned small businesses to support critical needs and long-term growth. Learn more about the program here >

Main Street America is proud to help support Black-owned businesses across the nation. For more stories from Black business owners, check out the video features posted weekly on our social media feeds this month. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.