As August marks National Black Business Month, a new study from B2B Reviews has named South Carolina the #4 state in America for Black-owned businesses. With booming growth and outsized community impact, the numbers tell a powerful story
worth amplifying.
Key insights from the report:
– Top 10 for Black businesses: 19 % of businesses in South Carolina are Blackowned—the seventh highest percentage in the U.S.
- Rapid growth: Black-
owned businesses in South Carolina grew by 2 5 % from 2023–2024.
- Lower earnings: Black households in South Carolina earn 68% of the state’s
the students are in a phase where they still need help but they’re learning to do things independently.
“With the students transitioning and becoming older, they realize that there’s only one of me and so many of them. I need them to solve problems and be independent until I can get around to them. The first-grade students are able to understand that better than kindergarten or pre-K students would,” she said.
median income, compared to a national average of 70 % .
To read the full report, visit https://www.b2breviews com/best-states-for-blackbusinesses/
Jones says she wants her 26 students to take charge of their learning by the end of the school year. One way she does that is by teaching her students this phrase: “I can and I will.”
“The students like to say ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I don’t know how to do this.’ I ask them ‘Do I like those words?’ They’re like ‘No.’ I tell them to say ‘I can and I will.’ It reinforces to the students that I’m asking them to do this because I know that they can,” said Jones.
The relationships she builds with her young students come into play when Jones is having a bad day.
“The students can sense when you’re having a bad day. I’ll come and give them a hug, and then, instantly, everything is fine,” said Jones.
She says she enjoys when parents tell her how much their children look up to her. The students would often come home and share with their parents what Jones said or did during the day. Sometimes, her students would even get into similar interests to hers.
“I have a thing for Stitch [from “Lilo & Stitch”]. My room is normally full of Stitch stuff I’ve accumulated over the years. By the end of the school year, all of my students like Stitch,” said Jones.
She says her dream is to one day open her own learning academy and make an even bigger difference in the lives of young students. Even though Jones is a first-grade teacher, she says she understands the importance of kindergarten readiness.
“There are some firstgraders who don’t know how to recognize their name or know the letters in their name. I would love to have a hand in that process,” said Jones.
She says she’s looking forward to getting to know her new class this school year and seeing how she can reach them.
“Every class is different. I have to adapt every year to see what works and what doesn’t. I’m excited to see how the students’ minds work,” said Jones.
Ivey Palmer PR proudly announces that Founder and CEO Chelsea N. Bennett has graduated from the nationally recognized Milestone Circles Program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. As a part of this achievement, Bennett was featured on the iconic Nasdaq MarketSite Tower in Times Square, spotlighting her alongside a global community of highimpact women entrepreneurs.
“Success is where preparation meets opportunity—and every moment of hard work behind the scenes leads to dreams becoming your reality,” said Bennett. “Being featured in one of the world’s most iconic locations was an unforgettable moment that represents not just personal achievement, but the culmination of a journey that has redefined my approach to leadership and entrepreneurship.”
The Milestone Circles Program is a selective, 12-week initiative designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and community needed to scale their ventures. During her participation, Bennett leveraged strategic insights, expert mentorship, and peer support to elevate and expand Navigating The Crisis™— a flagship offering from her boutique South Carolinabased agency, Ivey Palmer PR. Introducing the Enhanced
