Ciara and Meta Elevate Team Up to Support Black-Owned Small Businesses

Meta's Global State of Small Business Report has revealed that Black-owned small businesses have faced higher closure rates and more lost sales than their peers. In an effort to support Black-owned small businesses, Meta is announcing new programming, tools and resources for this community.

Throughout Black History Month, Meta Elevate will be kicking off weekly events with industry experts, small business owners and influencers to inspire and educate Black-owned small businesses with a new theme "Black365." These events, which will start during Black History Month, will continue beyond February to support this community and provide new ways to help their businesses thrive. Meta Elevate also has free training and scholarship opportunities for paid courses available here.

Last fall, Sheryl Sandberg, Meta's Chief Operating Officer, and Ciara, GRAMMY Award-winning entertainer, philanthropist, and Beauty Marks Entertainment CEO, announced a new partnership and made a call for Black and Latinx-owned businesses to apply to a special partnership program.

Today, we're announcing the small businesses who will be taking part in the program. These 10 Black-owned businesses, nominated by Ciara, will receive one-on-one marketing mentorship from Meta Elevate: Round House Paper, Nicole Grace Collection, The Coil Brush, Boss Branding on a Budget, Aliyah Kamala Enterprises, The Self Care Suite, Manifest It, Sis, For Our Daughters Beauty, Kyra’s Shea Medleys and Zion's Greek Boutique

"The ten businesses I've nominated are dear to me because they embody determination, community, empathy and empowerment," says Ciara. "The success of Black-owned small businesses is key to wealth building in our community, which is why connecting Black owners to these opportunities is so important to me."

Each business will receive 6 weeks of dedicated support from Meta, learning how to build effective marketing campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. Meta will provide $100,000 in ad credits and creative support so that each business can put their learnings into action following the mentorship. Nominated businesses will also receive a scholarship for Meta Blueprint's digital marketing skills certificate to further the skills they need to succeed.