25 Top Black Entrepreneurs To Watch In 2025

Avril Grant
Social Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of AVision for Empowerment CIC

Avril Grant, a bold young mother, left her prosperous accounting career during the recession to empower others successfully. In 2012, she established AVision for Empowerment CIC, delivering tailored accredited leadership courses across various sectors. With an unwavering belief in human potential and self-confidence, Avril gave a TEDx talk on ‘Overcoming Uncertainty’ and partnered with the Criminal Justice Sector, guiding 6000 delegates towards desistance and lasting career success. AVision for Empowerment CIC addresses inequality and disadvantage, transforming lives. Our interventions ignite self-belief, enhance mental resilience, reduce youth violence, boost youth employment, and save millions for UK taxpayers. Our vision: “Creating an inspirational world for all, regardless of background.

@avrilgrantinspires

Charlie Mase
Creative Entrepreneur & Content Creator

Charlie Mase is a dynamic creative entrepreneur, content creator, artist, visionary brand strategist and all-round entertainer. Recognized for his ability to engage audiences with creativity and authenticity. As the host of The Charlie Mase Show, he brings insightful conversations to life, while his expertise in social media growth and digital innovation positions him as a rising force in the industry. Beyond content creation, Charlie shines as a sought-after wedding MC, captivating crowds with his energy, wit and cultural adaptability. His passion for music, storytelling and brand elevation fuels his mission to inspire and entertain. Whether commanding the stage, refining digital presence or pioneering impactful narratives, Charlie continues to shape the future of media, business and entertainment.

@Charlie Mase

Clement Ogbonnaya
CEO of The Village People

Clement, an entrepreneur based in South London, is the founder of two pubs: Prince of Peckham and Queen of the South in Tulse Hill. Clement came to the UK from Nigeria when he was just six years old, was raised in Peckham and attended a school just a 10-minute walk away from the pub that he now owns.

A love for his area and an interest in people inspired Clement’s venture into hospitality. Keeping the community at the forefront of everything he does, he opened his first pub, Prince of Peckham, to be a ‘solution to gentrification’, aiming to create a space for all to come and enjoy quality food and drink.

In 2022, Clement founded The Village People pub group to educate the community on local issues and challenges, as well as highlighting ways to make a positive difference. Clement has plans to open a new pub every year for the next five years to help give different communities around London a place to meet, socialise and feel welcome, particularly marginalised, and underrepresented communities.

@clemface

Craig Mitch
Presenter & Broadcaster

Craig Mitch is a multi-talented broadcaster and presenter. As the host of Kick Game’s hugely popular YouTube channel, Craig has interviewed the likes of Burna Boy, Ne-Yo, Rio Ferdinand, Central Cee, and Nella Rose.

Beyond his work with Kick Game, Craig runs his own YouTube series, Comfort Zone, where he brings his signature energy and interview style to unique and engaging conversations.

In broadcast, Craig is a respected presenter at KISS FM and is currently working closely with Channel 4.0. His passion for football led him to become a presenter for TalkSport, BBC Two’s MOTDX, and Premier League TV. He is also the host of his brilliant podcast Double Down.

Some of Craig’s most notable brand partnerships include Sky, NFL, Bacardi, Google Pixel, Expedia, Canada Goose, Levi’s, and Coca-Cola. Craig is a force to be reckoned with and a reputable voice within fashion, music, and sport.

@craigxmitch

Craig and Shaun McAnuff
Founders & Book Authors

Brothers Craig and Shaun McAnuff — the culinary force behind Original Flava — grew up in South London, taught by their Jamaican mother and grandmother in “Nan’s kitchen,” where they fell in love with Caribbean cooking. In 2016, they launched Original Flava online, quickly going viral and growing to over 800,000 followers with more than 150 million views. They’ve since published three Amazon best-selling cookbooks, starred as TV chefs, and now run three buzzing kitchen residencies in Tulse Hill, Peckham, and Richmond – drawing thousands each week, including celebrity guests like Stormzy, and bringing their unique Carib-British Sunday Roast to the mainstream. Their mission? To make Caribbean food easy, accessible and full of family-style togetherness, showcasing vibrant flavours beyond jerk chicken. Through community workshops and high-impact events — including a nationwide Supperclub tour — Original Flava fuse heritage with purpose, redefining UK food culture.
 

@originalflava

Daniel Ashville
Managing Director of Ashville Holdings

Daniel Ashville is a presenter, businessman and Managing Director of Ashville Holdings, a company he has built from the ground up, specialising in construction, aggregates, concrete, waste management and plant hire.

As a former model who turned his childhood obsessions for construction and engineering into a thriving set of businesses, Daniel has also managed to build a substantial online following through his YouTube series, Ashville Weekly. The series highlights the trials and tribulations Daniel faces on a day-to-day basis running his businesses but also celebrates the successes including building a bespoke games room for KSI, sponsoring QPR Football Club and growing his fleet from one lorry to over 35 vehicles and machines.

With posts on Ashville Weekly amassing up to two million views, his magnetic personality and profound knowledge caught the attention of National Geographic commissioners. Recognising Daniel’s fearlessness and genuine passion, they swiftly offered him his own show: Building Impossible with Daniel Ashville.

@daniellouisy

Dior Bediako
Life Coach & Founder of Pepper Your Talk

Dior Bediako is a life coach and founder of Pepper Your Talk, a coaching platform helping ambitious entrepreneurs build both the mindset and business to create their dream life.

Known for her teaching on the ‘Future Self’ methodology, Dior specialises in helping clients move from procrastination and self-doubt to clarity, discipline and consistent results. Through her signature programs, she equips entrepreneurs with the structure, belief and strategy to grow a business that reflects their true potential and the life they deeply desire.
 

@diorbediako

Esther Appiagyei
“The Queen Hadassah”, Make-Up Artist & Digital Content Creator 

Esther Appiagyei, also known as The Queen Hadassah from her YouTube days, is a renowned makeup artist with over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. Esther’s work has been featured in prestigious magazines, such as Vogue. She has worked with numerous high-profile clients, and worked on campaigns for brands such as Burberry, Snickers, and New Balance.

Known for her ability to enhance natural beauty and create stunning looks, Esther is passionate about empowering her clients, leaving them feeling beautiful from the inside out. Her warm and personable approach has earned her a loyal clientele and lasting relationships. 

Esther is dedicated to teaching women makeup skills for themselves, believing in the confidence that makeup can bring. She is also a dedicated mentor and educator, conducting classes to inspire the next generation of makeup artists. Her creativity, and commitment to excellence make her a long standing figure in the makeup industry.

@thequeenhadassah

Eni Awoyemi
Founder of feYi Flowers

feYi Flowers was born from love, creativity, and a desire to create floral arrangements that truly resonate with modern women. The brand is named after Eni’s daughter, Feyi, meaning “my joy” in Yoruba, symbolising the heart and soul behind everything we do.

Eni’s journey began in her garden, where she taught herself floristry as a form of self-care and creative expression. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a labour of love. Eni found it difficult to find a floral brand that matched her style, many arrangements felt generic, overpriced, and the floral industry, largely male-dominated, offered few options for women like her.

Determined to change that, Eni created feYi Flowers, a women-led brand designed for modern women. Offering unique, paper-wrapped bouquets that blend wellness, self-care, and a touch of fun. Through our fresh approach, we’re bringing new energy to the floral industry, celebrating individuality and joy.

It’s been an incredible, albeit challenging, journey, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built. A brand that’s not just about flowers, but about embracing creativity, self-care, and the beauty of everyday moments.

@eni.awo

Flex
Content Creator, Presenter & Broadcaster

Flex is a content creator, presenter & broadcaster most known for his coverage of Manchester United across many platforms including his own United View Youtube channel which now has over 180K subscribers & the newly formed Football Flex Youtube Channel which has over 15K subscribers.

Flex has broken down many barriers between fan content and mainstream media. Appearing regularly on Sky Sports through their transfer coverage & now hosting & co-hosting on TalkSport. He is also present in club press conferences across which previously had never been seen within the fan media space.

Flex has also been an ambassador for Pearson education helping to spread awareness of BTEC qualifications for young people. The future is bright for Flex who has aspirations of achieving so much more within sports journalism & content creation.

@flexutd

Gbemi Okunlola
Founder & Creative Director at Alonuko

Established in 2012 – at just 17 years old – by British-born Nigerian designer Oluwagbemisola “Gbemi” Okunlola, Alonuko specialises in bespoke bridalwear and ready-to-wear evening designs, crafted and managed by an in-house team of 20 skilled professionals. With a mission to empower women through exceptional design, 

Alonuko blends cultural significance, luxury, and scalability to address evolving market needs.

Operating from its London headquarters, Alonuko is a trailblazing women’s luxury brand generating annual revenues exceeding £1 million. From humble beginnings in Peckham, where Gbemi taught herself to sew at the age of 11 after watching her mother create gowns, Alonuko has grown into an internationally recognised brand. Through its studio in London, online platform, trunk shows and global pop-ups, the brand provides access to its exclusive designs, catering to a diverse and international clientele. By combining innovation and sustainability, Alonuko continues to redefine the luxury bridal market and position itself as a leader in the sector.

@gbemiokunlola

Hamid Ibrahim
CEO of Kugali Media

Hamid Ibrahim is a multi award winning Artist who focuses on creative leadership and innovation. He is the co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kugali Media, a visual entertainment company that focuses on authentic African visual storytelling. Hamid has worked in the highest levels of visual entertainment in Hollywood blockbusters like Lion King (2019), Dumbo (2019), The Predator (2018), The Darkest Minds (2018), Dolittle (2020) and most recently a first of its kind collaboration with Disney Animation Studios, an African created series ” Iwaju”. Iwaju marks the first time in Walt Disney’s 100 year history to collaborate with an outside studio(kugali) to create an original animation and it received three Emmy nominations. Hamid was able to win the Alumnus of the year Award from University of Hertfordshire in 2021 and made it to the list of the MIPAD 100 most influential persons of African Descent list in 2024.
 

@hamidibrahimportfolio

Jordan Mitchell
Co-Founder & Co-CEO Good Culture Inc & Co-Founder of Good Sport

Jordan Mitchell is the co-founder of Good Culture and Good Sport, two agencies known for shaping how brands, talent and athletes show up meaningfully in culture.

With over a decade of experience across corporate, entertainment, and creative industries, Jordan brings a unique blend of commercial acumen and cultural insight to her work. Having started her career within leading corporate environments, Jordan transitioned into brand and talent strategy with a focus on long-term impact. She has since led cultural positioning and partnership strategy for brands such as Barbour, Creed, Pattern, Flannels, Airbnb, SKIMS, Marc Jacobs, and Good American. Her strategic work also extends to talent working with the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Dina Asher-Smith, Alessia Russo, Naomi Schiff, Rochelle Humes, Clara Amfo, and Sabrina Elba through narrative development, brand alignment, and global visibility.

Jordan regularly contributes to wider industry conversations through platforms like The Telegraph and Grazia, where she writes on topics spanning diversity, motherhood, and career evolution offering a personal perspective on the shifting dynamics of modern leadership.

@jordanjcmitchell

Julian Boaitey
Founder & CEO of Yendy Skin

Yendy is an African Superfood beauty brand that develops results-driven formulations whilst creating a fairer supply chain for female farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. Julian got his start as a door-to-door charity fundraiser, learning the fundamentals of sales and storytelling, before spending 8+ years working across several high-growth UK startups and scale-ups, including Monzo.

Since launching Yendy in 2022, he has transformed it into a leading multi-six-figure brand that directly sources from over 200 women in Northern Ghana while paying premium rates and funding local community projects. Yendy’s success has earned features in British Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Hello!, and the Evening Standard. Last year the brand was hand-selected to front Adobe’s biggest UK and US small business campaign. Julian was also honoured as CVC Capital Partners Young Innovator of the Year for his work in social entrepreneurship.

@julianboaitey

Justice Williams
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief of Black Business Magazine

Justice Williams MBE is a personal branding expert, business strategist, and award-winning entrepreneur dedicated to helping women turn their expertise into profit. As the founder of Black Business Magazine and Elevate, her premium membership for female entrepreneurs, she has built a platform that empowers women to grow profitable and purpose-driven brands. She is the Vice Chair of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Black Business Collective.

Justice is also the founder of TEDxLadywood Women and the host of the Dream Plan Launch podcast, where she shares insights on personal branding, business, and mindset. Her upcoming book, How to Succeed on Purpose, will be released in November 2025, providing a powerful blueprint for women looking to create a freedom-filled business.

As the co-founder of two kids, Justice balances entrepreneurship with motherhood, championing financial empowerment and opportunities for women.

@justiceamariah

Keshia East
Co-Founder of Kurl Kitchen & Founder of No Knot Co.

Keshia East is the founder of No Knot Co. and co-founder of Kurl Kitchen—two haircare brands dedicated to textured hair. A former celebrity makeup artist turned entrepreneur, Keshia launched her businesses after losing her father in 2020. Inspired by his encouragement to one day start her own venture, she teamed up with her sister to build brands that celebrate and serve the curly and coily hair community. What began as a personal journey grew into innovation—developing award-winning detangling tools and launching West African–inspired hair care products now stocked in over 800 UK stores. Passionate about education, inclusivity, and representation in beauty, Keshia also leads school workshops and works with charitable initiatives for young women. Her work has earned recognition from major retailers—and even the King of England. Through it all, Keshia remains driven to empower others through heritage-rooted products and real representation, one brush, curl, and conversation at a time.

@keshiaeast_

Lámidé Elizabeth
Host of Building Wealth with No Borders Podcast & CEO of WNB Group

Lámidé started her wealth building journey over 8 years ago determined to have a better financial future than the one she grew up with. Her pursuit of understanding money and wealth led her to study at the London School of Economics and she consequently joined JP Morgan and Citi investment bank to learn more about money and the world of finance. She purchased her first property in the UK just 6 months after graduating and went on to purchase a property internationally at the tender age of 24. She has reached her goal of financial independence in her mid-20s, investing and moving seamlessly between the UK and the UAE. Lámidé is eager to share strategies on how others can do the same and now hosts the Building Wealth with No Borders podcast, the largest black-led, wealth-focused podcast in the UK. She also supports investors with investing in property overseas.
 

@lamide.elizabeth

Manny Swarv
Founder & CEO of Mannyswarv Events

Manny is an award-winning event producer and the founder of Mannyswarv Events, renowned for curating luxury experiences that celebrate Black excellence and cultural sophistication. With a footprint spanning the UK, Jamaica, Dubai, and now Bermuda, Manny’s events bring together influencers, artists, and elite professionals from around the world. He continues to lead immersive lifestyle activations in partnership with global brands including Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, and Don Julio.In addition to events, Manny is entering the fashion industry this year with the launch of Urbane Noir, a premium outerwear brand focused on luxury men’s coats. He is also set to debut a silk accessory line in collaboration with Zebel Tailoring, further expanding his footprint in style and design.

@mannyswarv

Michael Heaven & Elfried Samba

Michael Heaven
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Butterfly Effect

Michael Heaven co-founded Butterfly Effect and has spent 10 years engineering agency growth. A founding team member of Social Chain, he spearheaded its US launch, then ran Offbeat, a Mark Cuban–backed company in Atlanta. Michael now turns those hard-won scale-up tactics into sharp, actionable strategies for emerging founders.

Elfried Samba
Co-Founder & CEO of Butterfly Effect

Elfried Samba is the Co-Founder and CEO of Butterfly Effect, a marketing agency helping brands grow through community-driven marketing, culture, and creativity.

As Global Head of Social Content at Gymshark, he helped scale the brand’s fitness community from 1.5 million to over 20 million followers, contributing to its rise to a £1 billion valuation alongside giants like Nike and Lululemon.

In its breakout year, Butterfly Effect partnered with Netflix, Bumble, McDonald’s, and Square, establishing itself as a go-to agency for culturally relevant, community-led campaigns.

Over the past five years, Elfried’s personal LinkedIn has become the second most engaged account on LinkedIn (Globally), generating 500M+ impressions, 9M+ engagements, and 370K+ followers — setting a new benchmark for personal brand-led growth on the platform.

@mheaven_   @elfriedsamba

Michelle Adepoju
Founder & Creative Director of Kílẹ̀ńtàr

Michelle Adepoju is the Founder and Creative Director of Kílẹ̀ńtàr. Raised in a Nigerian household in the United Kingdom, Michelle’s parents instilled in her a deep sense of pride and connection to her Yoruba heritage. As a young art student, she developed a keen interest in fashion and upcycling, spending weekends transforming hidden treasures from second-hand shops into unique statement pieces.

After graduating, Michelle embarked on a journey across West Africa, immersing herself in the history, cuisine, and fashion of each destination, while exploring various creative mediums. Her travels unveiled to her the rich tapestry of textiles and craft across the continent, a shared language with varying dialects.

In 2019, fuelled by her experiences and wanderlust, Michelle founded Kílẹ̀ńtàr as a love letter to the skilled artisans she encountered during her travels. Since then, she has been recognised as a designer to watch and continues building a global brand known for its elegance and feminine silhouettes and in 2025, Michelle was honoured at one of Forbes 30 under 30. Through Kílẹ̀ńtàr, Michelle champions sustainability and circular design practices, utilising traditional African methods to reimagine the fashion industry that centres craft over consumption.

@michelleta_

Patricia Bright
Digital Content Creator & Entrepreneur

Patricia Bright is a pioneering voice in the digital space, with over 17 years of experience shaping conversations at the intersection of beauty, business, and empowerment. Known for her sharp authenticity and elegance, she’s collaborated with global brands like BMW, Vogue, and Adobe.

Beyond content, Patricia is the founder of The Break Resources, a platform equipping women with the tools to grow personally and professionally. Her latest venture, Uwa, is a science-led haircare brand created for sensitive scalps – born from personal need and a desire to blend nature with innovation.

A bestselling author and podcast host, Patricia continues to challenge industry norms, championing greater representation and financial literacy for the next generation of women in business.

@patriciabright

Scarlette & Stuart Douglas
TV Presenters, Podcast Hosts & Property Entrepreneurs

Scarlette and Stuart Douglas are the brother/sister presenting duo taking television by storm. With first-hand experience in property development, the siblings are intent on sharing their expertise and insight with newcomers and old hands in the housing market.

Upon its 2022 launch, Scarlette & Stuart’s show, ‘Worst House on the Street’ achieved huge ratings on Channel 4. Its success led to the commission of two further series, with it continuing to be at the top of the ratings. They have also filmed a new Channel 4 series, ‘Can’t Sell, Must Sell’ which has aired receiving acclaimed reviews.

In addition, the pair have released the Property Unlocked podcast which can be found on all major platforms and are developing a second podcast which will be available for download soon.

2025 has been a busy year for Scarlette and Stuart, with appearances on Celebrity Bake Off, featuring on the Main Stage at the Ideal Home Show, and participating in celebrity specials of The 1% Club and Deal or No Deal.

Alongside their work in the media, Scarlette and Stuart continue to renovate their own investment properties.

@scarandstu

Sebastian Thiel
Film Director & Founder of Dope Black Art

Sebastian Thiel is a writer, director and art curator from North West London, originally born in Zambia. At just 17, he launched Upshot Entertainment with a bold mission – to tell the stories he didn’t see growing up, whilst amplifying black talent. His breakout series Just A Couple began on YouTube and was later picked up by BBC Three. Since then, he’s gone on to direct some of the UK’s most talked-about shows, including Dreaming Whilst Black (BBC), Riches (ITV/Amazon), and Netflix’s Supacell. 

Off-screen, Sebastian founded Dope Black Art to celebrate Black creativity through visual storytelling. He also runs Upshot Reels, crafting showreels for rising and established talent like Damson Idris and Letitia Wright. Named a Broadcast Hot Shot and included in the BBC Hotlist by Idris Elba, Sebastian continues to develop new projects for film and TV. He is represented by 42 in London and UTA in Los Angeles.

@sebastianthiel

Shannie Mears
Co-Founder & Head of Culture & Communities at The Elephant Room

Shannie is the Co-founder & Head of Culture and Communities at The Elephant Room, a creative advertising agency based in London. Having worked with Global brands such as; PUMA, Chivas Regal, Barclays, Pinterest and more. Shannie has become a cultural leader in the creative space after 10 years of empowering, creating and building a more purposeful industry. She was named Management Today’s 35 under 35 young woman in Business, Se was also named Forbes 30 under 30 and became a 1xtra Future figure. Shannie lectured for 2 years at Kingston University within the creative and cultural industries department, and previously sat on the Race disparity advisory board at no.10 Downing street advising on race and policy.

@shannieloves

Tobi Oredein
Founder & CEO of Black Ballad

Tobi Oredein is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and journalist. She is the Founder and CEO of Black Ballad, a leading media platform and community for black women in Britain. Tobi’s work spans across media, advocacy, and business, focusing on issues related to diversity, representation, and equality. Through her leadership at Black Ballad, she has become a prominent voice in conversations about race, culture, and gender, advocating for systemic change within the media industry and beyond.

Tobi has successfully collaborated with major brands, including L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Google and Spotify, to create unique campaigns and experiences that empower black women to live their best lives. 

In celebration of Black Ballad’s 10-year anniversary, Tobi created the Black Ballad Weekender, a flagship event that brought together over 1,500 black women from across the UK for a weekend of inspiration, community, and empowerment. The event showcased Black talent across various industries, further cementing Black Ballad’s role as a pioneering platform for Black women’s voices and stories and is becoming a staple in the cultural calendar for Black British women.

@iamtobioredein