Black-owned businesses got an outpouring of support during the US's racial reckoning in 2020.- But a new report from
Meta found that 51% of Black-owned businesses were experiencing low sales.
In the weeks and months after the US's 2020 racial reckoning, as protests erupted across the country following George Floyd's murder, $4 received a $4.
Founders such as Rochelle Porter, who owns the decor and activewear brand $4, saw their sales and follower counts soar. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter started $4, and as people quarantined, they outfitted their homes with her vibrant textiles. Then, press coverage sparked a flood of sales as social-justice issues took center stage.
But as the pandemic wore on, much of that consumer enthusiasm waned. "We've definitely seen a leveling off since then," said Porter, who's in Atlanta.
The US is experiencing a $4, and women of color are the $4 among new
Underrepresented business owners have faced $4 recovering from pandemic-related setbacks, Nicola Mendelsohn, the vice president of Meta's global business group, told Insider.
When broken down further, the report found that 51% of Black-owned businesses were experiencing record-low sales compared to January 2021, versus 36% of all US businesses. Black-owned businesses were also the most likely group to report closing in the past year.
"Black-owned businesses have faced additional hardships, such as reducing employment, as a result of the pandemic," Mendelsohn said. "They've also cited cash-flow issues and a lack of demand as reasons behind lower sales."
While slower months — January and February in particular — are to be expected in
"It's really hard to keep up with the algorithm," Porter said. "A post that would have gotten 200 likes last year or the year before is getting a fraction of that now."
Meta has initiatives to funnel education, funding, and business tools to underrepresented founders, including its $4 program, which trains and mentors Black and Latino business owners in digital marketing strategies.
If you're a business owner noticing abnormally low sales or decreased social-media engagement, contact this reporter at jortakales@insider.com to tell your story.