**FILE** People shop and gather at Black + Forth, a biweekly outdoor marketplace that hosts all Black vendors, in October. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

While 2025 was filled with statistics about inflation, increasing unemployment rates— particularly affecting Black workers— and African Americans facing socio-economic disparities, entrepreneurs and leaders alike rallied to ensure corporations understood the power of the Black dollar.

From the ongoing Target boycott that launched at the top of the year to business owners joining forces to help the community, and the District empowering entrepreneurs with resources, supporting Black businesses is a key focus for equity and economic leaders in 2026.

**FILE** The Rev. Graylan Hagler (far right) organizing with other activists in front of the Target in Columbia Heights in April, as part of the nationwide boycott against the corporation after the company eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programming. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)

D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-large), chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, who will be residing from the legislative body effective Jan. 5

“We’ve had a real focus on revitalizing downtown, the work that we’re doing to strengthen our sports economy, and all the opportunities that lie ahead with bringing back the Commanders to the RFK site and building out the Monumental Sports renovation of Capital One Arena… The future focuses on expanding jobs and economic security in Washington, D.C.”

**FILE** Chinyere Hubbard, president and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Guzman, president and CEO of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, Courtney Edmonds, board chair of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Corey Arnez Griffin, board chair of the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, and Tonya Poindexter, board chair of the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Mick Hunt, USA Today best-selling author of “How to Be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One” and founder of Mick Unplugged podcast
“The future of Black businesses isn’t tied to corporate handouts, it’s tied to ownership. Stop waiting for a seat at the table and start building your own. To all businesses: Just put action behind it and make it equitable because it’s who you are, not because someone told you to.”

**FILE** As one of the District’s most signature events, H Street Festival offers a boost to economic opportunity even beyond the one day, increasing community partnerships, foot-traffic and business exposure, and celebrating the breadth of D.C.’s vibrant entrepreneurial scene. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Anwar Saleem, executive director of H Street Festival
“If [Black businesses are] going to have any success in society, we have to become economically strong, and it is not just by working in government or other corporate businesses. We have to have businesses that are successful on a local level…and if you get family and friends involved, and hire people who are in neighborhoods, that means a whole lot.”

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