With only 3% of U.S. businesses being Black-owned, the stories of Imani, Fontraz’e Wheaton, and Phylicia Thompson shine as symbols of resilience.
This Black Business Month, their journeys offer hope and inspiration.
At the heart of Wichita, Noble Nine Bakery, helmed by Imani and Fontraz’e Wheaton, is more than just a place for sweets—it’s a sanctuary for belonging.
“We were the kids who didn’t always fit in,” Imani reflects. “Now, we’re building our community.”
Their bakery, born from a simple hobby, has blossomed from pop-up shop into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar establishment.
For Fontraz’e, baking is more than a craft; it’s a tradition passed down from his mother, and working alongside his wife is the realization of a shared dream.
“Whenever we have free time, we just think about how to make new things and spin this, add some of this, that,” Fontraz’e says, eyes gleaming with the excitement of discovery. But their message goes beyond pastries.
They urge young Black entrepreneurs to take the plunge into their passions.
“Just see how far you can go—reach out to other Black businesses because we’re all trying to help each other,” Fontraz’e adds, nodding to the power of community.
That same spirit of camaraderie drives Phylicia Thompson, owner of 2 Beatz Boutique.
Nestled in downtown Wichita, Thompson’s boutique is not just a business but a platform for others.
“I do different pop-ups that allow businesses to come in and showcase their businesses, and I like Final Fridays, where artists come and show their art,” she says—inspired by her mother, a seamstress who sewed joy into every stitch, Thompson channels that legacy into her business.
“Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster,” she notes with a knowing smile. “There are ups, downs, and everything in between, but you’ve got to hang on.”
Her advice to fellow Black entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Go for your dreams, get out there, network, come meet people.
If you want to own a boutique, come meet me. You know, come pop up at the shop. I would love just to sit, talk to, mentor.”
As these Wichita entrepreneurs prove, the journey of building a business is as much about community as it is about individual success.
And in the spirit of Black Business Month, their stories remind us that with grit and togetherness, the possibilities are boundless.
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