Let’s be real: many people feel that expensive business conferences are failing to deliver. Following recent social media backlash surrounding InvestFest—one of the largest gatherings for Black entrepreneurs and investors—many attendees left feeling like they paid top dollar for basic advice and empty networking.
With August being Black Business Month, it’s the perfect time to explore how Black entrepreneurs can unlock game-changing business insights from top experts through books without breaking the bank on conference tickets. From memoir-style guides to practical workbooks and podcasts, here’s a curated list of resources that deliver real value.
For Building The Business
“How To Succeed in Business Without Being White” by Earl G. Graves, Sr.
Earl G. Graves Sr. traces his journey from the son of a West Indian garment worker to multimillionaire entrepreneur and founder of Black Cosmopolitan magazine. His book offers a candid, experience-based guide for Black professionals and other underrepresented entrepreneurs navigating predominantly white corporate and business spaces.
Drawing on his own story alongside lessons from other successful Black professionals, Graves delivers strategies for career advancement and business ownership, emphasizing market differentiation and sustainable growth.
“It’s About Damn Time” by Arlan Hamilton
In this memoir, respected venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton opens up about her remarkable journey from homelessness to Silicon Valley success. She shares invaluable wisdom on breaking into the exclusive “boys’ club” of venture capital, creating investment opportunities for underestimated founders—including people of color and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs—and building a path to achieve your dreams on your own terms.
“The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion Into Profit” by Kimberly Seals-Allers
If you need guidance on turning ideas into a business plan, entrepreneur and journalist Kimberly Seals-Allers delivers a step-by-step roadmap. The book covers formal business planning, finding operational licenses, and hiring the right employees. She also shares advice from successful Black entrepreneurs, including Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price.
“Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion” by Lisa Price
Long before Carol’s Daughter became a household name in natural hair and beauty, Lisa Price was crafting products in her Brooklyn kitchen. This memoir details how she scaled a personal passion project into one of the most recognizable Black-owned beauty empires in the country. It’s an essential read for entrepreneurs looking to turn creative passion into profit.
“The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals” by Mathew Knowles
As the mastermind behind Destiny’s Child, Mathew Knowles knows what it takes to build a brand. In this book, he breaks down the core traits that separate high achievers from the rest: relentless work ethic, calculated risk-taking, and surrounding yourself with excellence. It’s an empowering playbook for entrepreneurs ready to embrace the discipline required for long-term success.
For Building Wealth
“Get Good with Money” by Tiffany Aliche
Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche delivers a practical roadmap for achieving financial stability. Designed as a hands-on workbook, the book walks readers through ten actionable steps toward financial wholeness—an essential tool for solopreneurs and early-stage founders looking to get their personal and business finances in order.
“Savvy Tax Strategies for Small Business Owners: Master Bookkeeping and Tax Planning Strategies” by Atiya S. Brown, CPA
When building a business, keeping your company free of IRS issues is essential. With over 18 years of experience in accounting and finance, CPA Atiya S. Brown outlines how to establish proper business structures, identify overlooked deductions, and implement proactive systems to keep your business running smoothly.
“Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires” by Shomari Wills
Shomari Wills chronicles the lives of the first six African Americans who survived slavery and earned personal fortunes of over one million dollars between 1830 and 1927. Aspiring entrepreneurs will gain a blueprint for capitalism and wealth-building strategies that serve as cheat codes for facing business adversity.
Learn From Black Business History
“Succeeding Against The Odds” by John H. Johnson
This autobiography of John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing Company and the first African American on the Forbes 400 list, chronicles his rise from poverty in segregated Arkansas to building a media empire that included Ebony, Jet, and Negro Digest magazines.
The book details the practical business lessons and personal principles that created his success. Readers get a playbook for actionable advice on entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and overcoming systemic barriers like racism and lack of access to capital.
“Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life” by Daymond John
From working at Red Lobster to building a multi-billion-dollar fashion company with Fubu, Daymond John offers a perspective on relentless commitment to hard work and dedication. In this book, the “Shark Tank” investor shares his personal journey of overcoming challenges while building his successful career, encouraging entrepreneurs to bet on themselves.
Learn While Listening
“The Diary of a CEO” Podcast by Steven Bartlett
“The Diary Of A CEO” podcast serves as an audio diary of Steven Bartlett’s entrepreneurial journey and in-depth conversations with high-profile guests. Episodes feature dialogues with CEOs, founders, and authors in sessions that feel like therapy designed to reveal the untold truths and unlearned lessons behind their achievements. Listeners gain leadership and team-building pointers, advice on marketing their personal brand, and practical business strategies.
“Black Tech Green Money” Podcast by Will Lucas
For entrepreneurs interested in business and technology, Will Lucas takes listeners on a deep dive into wealth-building, financial empowerment, and entrepreneurial success. One listen will leave you definitely inspired.
“Social Proof” Podcast by David Shands
For entrepreneurs in the trenches, the Social Proof podcast offers raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build a thriving business from scratch. Hosted by former restaurant worker turned full-time entrepreneur David Shands, the show routinely interviews self-made founders, six-figure hustlers, and industry experts who break down their exact failures and profit strategies.
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