Top 5 Groups to Join as a Black Business Owner

Owning a business can be isolating. It’s important to remember that there are people just like you, facing the same problems, and enjoying the same successes. The best way to make connections is to join groups of like-minded people. Here are our five favorite local groups for Black Business Owners (plus two national groups!):

State

Washington:
- Black Owned Business Excellence
- Minority Business Development Association (MBDA) Washington
Oregon:
- Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)

Greater Seattle/Tacoma

National

And don’t forget your local Black Collective (i.e. Tacoma, Federal Way). Find them through social media, web search, or by asking at any of the above organizations or groups.

About the author

Alyssa Pizarro

Strategic Partner & Diversity Officer at Business Impact NW

Alyssa Pizarro is the Strategic Partner & Diversity Officer at Business Impact NW. Alyssa is responsible for the organization’s relationships and diversity focus. Before this, Alyssa served as the Corporate Giving Officer at Business Impact NW for a year and a half. Alyssa’s previous nonprofit experience was in the Development Department at Yoga Behind Bars, from career beginnings as a 10-year fashion sales manager and director in New York before moving to Seattle in 2013. Alyssa has combined her passion for social justice and community engagement with her corporate experience to culminate in her current role at Business Impact NW. She completed one year of her MBA at Northeastern University and has a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany, with a double major in Anthropology & Women’s Studies. Alyssa is also a yoga instructor, a pup-mom, a forever-learner, and a fair-weather jogger.