Black History Month: Celebrating Black Women Who Are Building What’s Next

This Black History Month, we are celebrating Black women who are building businesses with courage, clarity and intention. 

At YWCA BC, we have the privilege of walking alongside self-identified women from diverse backgrounds who are turning ideas into real businesses through our YWCA PowerUp program. PowerUp is open to all self-identified women and offers practical tools to help participants start, run and grow their ventures. 

This month, we are proud to spotlight two Black participant-entrepreneurs whose stories reflect ambition, discipline and the power of taking action. 

Ama Danso, Zero Percent Cocktails 

For Ama Danso, founder of Zero Percent Cocktails, entrepreneurship is about bringing vision to life. 

“It’s the opportunity to bring my creative ideas to action,” she says. “To align the work I do with my purpose and create value for other people.” 

Ama was inspired by the desire for autonomy and impact. She wanted to build something from the ground up, something that reflected her creativity and her standards. That decision takes courage, especially in a business landscape where Black women are often underfunded, underestimated or overlooked. 

One of the biggest challenges she’s faced is self-doubt. 

“There are moments where I’ve felt unclear or slow,” she shares. “I’ve learned to focus on progress over perfection.” 

That mindset shift is powerful. Instead of waiting for perfect timing, perfect clarity or perfect conditions, Ama chose movement. She sought guidance when she needed it. She stayed committed to learning. She kept reminding herself why she started. 

Her advice to aspiring Black women entrepreneurs is grounded and direct: 

“Start before you feel fully ready. Clarity comes through action. Use the resources available to you, including programs like PowerUp. Build discipline. Find community. You’ve got this.”  

Abby Sowemimo, Design Place Management Consulting 

For Abby Sowemimo, founder of Design Place Management Consulting, entrepreneurship means ownership and freedom.  

“It is the ability to identify inefficiencies or unmet needs, design structured solutions, and create measurable value along with the freedom to build a life and business aligned with purpose, faith and long-term wealth creation,” she says.  

With a background in analytics and project management, Abby approaches business with both creativity and structure. Her journey has been shaped by relocating to Canada and rebuilding her career while navigating immigration, a master's degree and financial pressures.  

“Progress is not always glamorous,” she says. “Sometimes it’s quiet consistency.” 

As a Black woman in industries where representation is still growing, Abby is building more than a consulting practice. She is building visibility, wealth, and proof that expertise and leadership belong in every room. 

Her message to other Black women entrepreneurs is bold: 

“Invest in skills that compound. Build systems early. Do not shrink your ambition to make others comfortable. We are allowed to build wealth. We are allowed to lead. We are allowed to scale globally.” 

Why Programs Like YWCA PowerUp Matter 

Entrepreneurship does not happen in isolation. Access to funding, networks and mentorship is shaped by systems. Programs like PowerUp exist to close gaps, strengthen skills and create community. 

Through hands-on learning, peer support and practical business development tools, PowerUp helps self-identified women move from idea to action with confidence. 

When Black women entrepreneurs succeed, families gain stability, communities gain more diverse and inclusive services, and local economies grow stronger. 

 This Black History Month, we celebrate these incredible women entrepreneurs. 

Are you also an entrepreneur planning the next steps for your business or business ideas? 

If you are an entrepreneur ready to take your next step, we invite you to join us on March 17 at Build Her, our upcoming event for women entrepreneurs. 

Build Her is designed for honest conversations about growth, leadership, revenue and sustainability. It brings together founders and mentors who understand both the ambition and the realities of building a business. 

To learn more about the event and get tickets, visit the Build Her event page on Eventbrite.