We are gardeners, preparing the land and planting seeds to cultivate a thriving Black business community. At our recent Third Thursday gathering, we explored what it takes to build ecosystems of support. The conversation was rich and full of possibility, centered around a deep question:
How do we maintain an open, communal culture while keeping everyone fed in a capitalist society?
This tension between collaboration and capitalism isn’t new, but we kept returning to a shared belief: everyone can eat. This isn’t just a wish; it’s a challenge to build systems where shared success is expected.
Value goes beyond money. It’s connections, recommendations, encouragement, resources, and the act of listening and holding space. We talked about bartering—trading time, expertise, design work, strategy, childcare, food, space. It’s relational, not just transactional, and works best when trust and relationships are the currency.
Trust is cultivated through transparency—naming what we need, what we can offer, and what we’re not able to do right now. Honesty helps us set boundaries that protect us and allow the collective to thrive.
We’re shifting away from a deficit mindset, choosing to see assets and harness power. This is asset framing, recognizing the brilliance, resilience, and creativity already present.
Abundance is a strategy. Giving from a place of abundance means knowing we can pour into others because we’re connected to something greater—a community, an ecosystem, a movement. It’s about staying in flow and maintaining balance.
Spaces like Third Thursday are vital for processing, planning, and planting the seeds for our collective success. They provide a platform for asking hard questions, holding bold visions, and building the conditions for our community to thrive.
Join us in tending the soil.
What does support look like for you right now? Where are you giving from abundance, and where do you need to be poured into? What seeds are you planting, and who are you planting with?
If you’re ready to move from hustle to sustainable growth, join our online network of Black entrepreneurs committed to growing together—rooted in support, aligned in purpose, and thriving in community. Let’s keep the conversation going.