Atlanta Is #1 for Black-Owned Businesses — Here's How to Celebrate Black Business Month in Your Village

Pull up a chair. This August, the village has something worth celebrating — and it's happening right in our backyard.

August is National Black Business Month, and this year, Atlanta isn't just participating in the celebration — the city is leading it. On August 11, 2026, the Atlanta City Council officially recognized Atlanta's position as the number one city in the country for Black-owned businesses. That's not just a headline. That's our neighbors, our family members, and our community entrepreneurs building something real.

Let's take a walk around the village and see what this moment means — and how you can be part of it.

What's Happening Around the Village

The Atlanta City Council, led by District 11 Councilmember Wayne Martin and Post 1 At-Large Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, has officially proclaimed August 2026 as Black Business Month — honoring both the legacy and the living reality of Black entrepreneurship in the city.

The numbers tell a powerful story: according to a February 2026 report from the Atlanta Regional Commission, 10.7% of all businesses in the Atlanta metro area are Black-owned. That's triple the national average of 3.4% — and the highest concentration of Black-owned businesses in any major metropolitan area in the entire United States.

Councilmember Martin put it beautifully: "Black Business Month is a powerful reminder of the legacy Atlanta has helped carry forward for generations — a legacy built on ownership, resilience, and the belief that our businesses can change lives."

Supporting organizations like the Atlanta Black Chambers (led by President & CEO Melvin M. Coleman) and the Advancing Black Business Foundation have played a huge role in making Atlanta the national leader it is today. Together, they've mentored entrepreneurs, expanded access to capital, promoted financial literacy, and created real economic pathways for Black families across the metro area.

Why It Matters

When we support Black-owned businesses, we're doing more than making a purchase. We're investing in families. We're building wealth that stays in our communities. We're closing a gap that has been part of American life for generations.

Dr. Andrew Williams, OD, owner of VEA Eye Health Professionals in Atlanta, described it this way: "When you have a Black-owned business, there's a little bit of a twist, and that twist ultimately leads to a sense of community. Everyone supports one another. There's a huge sense of community in Atlanta, which allows you to grow along with the businesses next to you."

That community spirit isn't exclusive to Atlanta. It's alive in Fayetteville. It's alive in Bainbridge. It's alive in Allendale. Every small town in our coverage area has entrepreneurs who wake up every morning and put everything they have into building something for their families and their neighbors. This month, they deserve our recognition — and our support.

How This Impacts Our Community

Black-owned businesses across the Atlanta metro — and throughout our coverage area in South Georgia and South Carolina — are employing neighbors, sponsoring youth sports teams, donating to church fundraisers, and keeping dollars circulating locally.

Here's what that looks like on the ground:

• Jobs and livelihoods: Every Black-owned business creates jobs — often for people in the same neighborhood.

• Wealth building: Locally owned businesses generate wealth that stays and compounds in the community over generations.

• Role models: Seeing a neighbor succeed as a business owner is one of the most powerful things a young person can witness.

• Community investment: Black-owned businesses often reinvest in the neighborhoods and causes that matter most to local families.

Also worth noting: in Decatur County, Georgia, just last week, Dr. Nancy Screen Jeffery — founder of Nutrition in the Rural, LLC — hosted a free community health expo in Attapulgus, covering everything from scam prevention to nutrition and Medicare. That's the village showing up for itself. That's exactly what Black Business Month is all about.

How You Can Get Involved

Here's what's happening nearby — and how you can plug in:

1. Shop local this month. Before ordering online, ask yourself: Is there a Black-owned business in Fayetteville, Bainbridge, Allendale, or across the metro that offers what I need? Make that your first stop.

2. Leave a review. One five-star Google review can change a small business owner's week. If you've visited a Black-owned restaurant, salon, boutique, or service provider lately — take two minutes to share the love.

3. Share on social media. Tag your favorite Black-owned business and use #BlackBusinessMonth. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool a small business has.

4. Connect with the Atlanta Black Chambers. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for resources or a community member wanting to support the mission, the Atlanta Black Chambers offers over 100 events per year and connects over 400 industries. Visit AtlantaBlackChambers.org to learn more.

5. Mentor a young entrepreneur. Know a high school or college student with a business idea? Connect them with resources like the Urban League of Greater Atlanta's Entrepreneurship Center or the Atlanta University Center network.

6. Attend local business events. Watch your city calendar, chamber of commerce page, and community Facebook groups for pop-up shops, networking events, and business showcases this month.

7. Nominate a local entrepreneur for an Entrepreneur Stories feature right here on Sophie's Mart. Know someone building something special in our community? Tell us about them.

Around the Village Calendar

• August 11, 2026 — Atlanta City Council formally recognizes Black Business Month | Atlanta, GA

• August 15, 2026, Noon–2 PM — Barbershop Chats & BBQ, City Center Park, 210 Stonewall Ave W, Fayetteville, GA | Free mental health community event hosted by the Fayetteville Mental Health Advisory Board

• All August 2026 — National Black Business Month | Support a Black-owned business near you every day this month

• Ongoing — Atlanta Black Chambers events (100+ per year) | AtlantaBlackChambers.org for schedule

• Ongoing — Allendale County Library Events (Storytime Wednesdays 10 AM, LEGO Challenge, Recycled Book Vase craft) | 297 Main St N, Allendale, SC | (Open Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 10 AM–2 PM)

Sophie's Suggestions

This month, wear your pride and carry the legacy. Here are a few items from Sophie's Mart that feel right at home during Black Business Month:

• "I'm Rooting for Everybody Black" Sweatshirt ($47.22) — A statement of solidarity and community love that says exactly what Black Business Month is all about. Wear it to a pop-up shop, a networking event, or just around the neighborhood. Shop here: sophiesmart.com/product-page/i-m-rooting-for-everybody-black-sweatshirt-black-pride-crewneck

• "I Make Black History" Sweatshirt ($47.22) — Because every entrepreneur in our community is making history right now — one business, one idea, one family at a time. Shop here: sophiesmart.com/product-page/i-make-black-history-sweatshirt-black-history-month-crewneck

• Alkebulan Tee ($25.00) — Minimalist. Timeless. Powerful. Wear the name that reminds us where the legacy began. Shop here: sophiesmart.com/product-page/alkebulan-tee

  
  

Around the Village Takeaway

The village grows stronger when neighbors know each other — and when we choose to spend our dollars, share our praise, and invest our trust in the businesses being built right next door.

Do you know a local entrepreneur who deserves a spotlight? Explore more community stories in our Entrepreneur Stories section or browse Around The Village for more local news and inspiration.