Five Black women entrepreneurs from the Richmond area have graduated from Goldman Sachs’ “One Million Black Women: Black in Business” program.

The program, launched in February 2022 in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business, provides a free, tailored business education to help sole proprietors overcome challenges and achieve growth.

Among the December 2024 graduates are Joli Aslan, founder of CapConx Management Solutions; Shirley Crawford, owner of 2nd Chance Consulting; Keonna Knight, CEO and courage coach of Heal with Keonna; Erin Stanley, psychotherapist and founder of Honey Bee Therapy; and Janique Washington, cranial prosthetics specialist at The Chic Studio.

The “Black in Business” program has provided participants with tools to innovate, develop action plans, and connect with a network of fellow entrepreneurs. In a recent survey, 65% of alumni reported increased revenues, 90% felt the program helped them innovate and 94% are optimistic about their future business growth.

“I was honestly blown away,” Aslan said, noting she sees her developed confidence to dream bigger dreams as a payoff already.

But it wasn’t only good feelings that participants left with. They each also developed a one-year action plan over the 12-week course and already began the first steps in implementing it.

Crawford has begun changing her website and creating new programs.

“It has helped me to really think about my business from scratch and revamp my focus,” she said. “I’m feeling super passionate and so on fire.”

Stanley’s focus has been on time management – something she says the program taught her is paramount if she wants to expand her impact and her income. However, she gained something else – a wide network of women from different backgrounds and fields to connect with.

This was a bonus important to all five women because, as Washington added, being a solo entrepreneur can be lonely.

“Just having people available gives you a sense of belonging, and that’s something that I didn’t have before,” she said.

When asked what advice they would give to other Black women with entrepreneurial aspirations, the group emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities.

“There are lots of opportunities out there,” Stanley said. “So use your voices, because they matter.”