August 2026

  Celebrates Black-owned enterprises and pushes for economic equality 

August is National Black Business Month, a time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. The annual celebration was created in 2004 when historian John William Templeton and engineer Fredrick E. Jordan partnered to advance the policies affecting 2.6 million African American businesses and develop greater economic freedom for Black communities. This month we reflect on the history of Black entrepreneurship, their impact on the United States economy, and the resilience of the Black community.

For generations, Black businesses have made critical contributions to America’s economy. Since the late 1700’s free and enslaved Black people have opened barbershops, tobacco shops, shoemaking shops, and other small businesses. Black business really began to boom during the “golden age” of 1900-1930. There was a wave of Black-owned businesses stemming from Jim Crow Laws segregating African Americans and forcing them to build communities separate from whites.

Historically, Black communities have endured systematic racism, inequality, wage gaps, and violence. In 1921, one of the worst racially motivated attacks in U.S history, the Tulsa Race Massacre, destroyed the Black-owned district of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Greenwood District was nationally recognized as “Black Wall Street,” for its affluent African American community. The series of riots robbed Black families in Greenwood of their lives, businesses, community, and the legacy they could have left behind. To learn more about the Tulsa Race Massacre visit the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.

America250 is committed to uplifting all American history and is proud to support Black Business Month. We invite you to support the Black-owned businesses in your communities and check out the organizations below that are amplifying the Black American experience and supporting Black-owned businesses:

 National Wellness Month takes place every August. It is a time to focus on self-care, manage stress, and build healthy daily habits for your mind and body. National Day Calendar +3Core Focus Areas

• Physical Health: Drink more water, eat fresh foods, and move your body daily.
• Mental Health: Practice mindfulness, set digital boundaries, and get 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
• Social Health: Connect with friends, family, and your local community. National Day Calendar +5

Simple Ways to Participate

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Rest: Set a regular bedtime to improve sleep quality.
• Unplug: Take short breaks from social media and news.
• Move: Go for a walk, stretch, or try a new fitness class