Pew Research Center · 12 Feb, 08:00 · Business briefing

A look at Black-owned businesses in the US by sector, state and more

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Pew Research Centre has published a comprehensive analysis of Black-owned businesses across the United States, examining their distribution by sector, prevalence, and characteristics by industry and state. The report highlights significant growth in professional services, healthcare, and retail, while also identifying persistent disparities in capital access and firm size compared to other demographic groups. This data provides a nuanced view of the economic landscape, revealing both the resilience of these enterprises and the structural challenges they face. For professionals, this offers critical insights into emerging market dynamics, supplier diversity opportunities, and the evolving competitive environment within key economic sectors.

Employer demand for Business And Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This report signals a shift in how organisations approach supply chains, partnerships, and market expansion. You should prioritise skills in inclusive leadership and strategic procurement to capitalise on these growing sectors. Professionals in finance, consulting, and HR must understand these demographic economic trends to serve clients effectively. Pay attention to the specific industries highlighted, such as professional services and healthcare, where Black-owned firms are expanding rapidly. A smart professional would integrate diversity metrics into their business development strategies and seek training in equitable supply chain management. By aligning your career with these inclusive economic shifts, you position yourself as a forward-thinking leader capable of navigating complex, diverse market landscapes and unlocking new value through broader network engagement.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Business And Management, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Finance and Accounting — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.