Channel 4 and Lloyds have published the confirmed shortlist for the 2024 edition of the Black in Business initiative. 20 Black-owned businesses are in the running for a combination of free TV advertising airtime, the creation of their own TV advert and business support.

Black in Business is a Channel 4 initiative in partnership with Lloyds, to help tackle structural obstacles that Black entrepreneurs face when setting up businesses. Channel 4 Sales research found that 56% of Black owned businesses receive funding only once they had already become successful, compared to 35% of white business owners. In addition, Lloyds’ 2022 Black. British. In Business and Proud report revealed that 84% of Black business owners have been negatively discriminated against in their entrepreneurial efforts.

Now in its second year, following the success of the first year, Black in Business will provide £150,000 worth of TV advertising on Channel 4 to four successful businesses, up from £100,000 in 2023. The winning entrepreneurs will also receive tailored expertise and business advice from Lloyds, plus the creation of their own Channel 4 TV advert.

Based across England, the 20 businesses in the shortlist for Black in Business 2024 are:

• Samis Wholesale Cash and Carry and Pride of Africa Foods: a West Midlands-based one-stop Cash & Carry facility and e-commerce business providing retailers and caterers with African-Caribbean food products.
• Soul Cap: a London-based brand providing inclusive swimwear products which provide options for people with longer, voluminous hair.
• MAMA Youth project: a London-based charity supporting young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds into careers in the media industry.
• Flora & Curl: A West Midlands-based haircare brand offering natural, plant-powered products for individuals with textured hair.
• PayAngel: A South East-based cross-border billing and payments service enabling businesses and migrants to pay directly for services in other countries without middleman concerns.
• The Motherhood Group: A London-based community-driven organisation providing in-person and digital support services for Black mothers and mothers-to-be.
• Nylahs: A West Midlands-based textured haircare brand empowering Black women to embrace their natural hair with the use of advanced ingredient technologies, stimulating hair recovery.
• Alonuko: A London-based luxury women’s fashion brand specialising in handcrafted bridal and evening wear.
• Drapers England: A North East-based luxury spirit brand taking inspiration from British fashion, textiles and craftsmanship, hand-distilled in the Yorkshire Dales.
• Flake Bake: London’s largest handmade Jamaican patty maker, offering meat and vegetable options infused with Caribbean spices in seven different flavours.
• Chrissy Bales: A London-based haircare brand founded by Chrissy C Bales in 2018, on a mission to provide the world’s number 1 luxury raw hair wig services.
• Tritek Consulting: A London-based tech training company providing training in Business Analysis, Project Management, Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing, with real-world projects and extensive career mentorship.
• Gazelle Global: An ethnic minority-owned recruitment agency based in London specialising in DEI and sustainability industry recruitment.
• Corium Solutions / Micro-Fresh and HomeFresh: Hygiene product brands based in the East Midlands delivering impactful hygiene solutions for both homes and businesses.
• BYP Network: A London-based career platform for Black talent, connecting professionals to personalised career opportunities including, jobs, networking and events.
• SHYNE: A London-based personal care brand focused on providing grooming essentials for males with afro/textured hair.
• Storymix: A fiction studio based in the South East creating inclusive stories for children and teenagers by collaborating with diverse writers and illustrators.
• Colorintech/Black Tech Fest: A London-based platform event dedicated to celebrating and amplifying Black excellence in technology.
• HAIRVIRGINITY: A London-based retailer for raw and virgin hair extensions, particularly catering for black and ethnic hair.
• Mojam Afro-Caribbean: A West Midlands-based family-owned store that specialises in selling African and Caribbean groceries.

2024 applications for Black in Business closed on 28th October 2024.

Ewan Douglas, head of sales nations and regions and business development, at Channel 4 Sales, said, “Our shortlist of Black in Business applicants are an incredibly strong group of candidates who all carry tremendous vision and promise in their businesses.

We’re proud of the impact our initiative will have in providing access to the transformative power of Channel 4 TV advertising and Lloyds’ expertise to these entrepreneurs. Black in Business continues Channel 4 Sales’ track record of using advertising to deliver change within society, such as the Diversity in Advertising Award”. 

Elyn Corfield, CEO, business and commercial banking, Lloyds: said, “This shortlist of Black in Business applicants represents some of the best of UK entrepreneurship – these businesses are moving forward with ambitious growth plans, innovating and creating jobs and opportunities within their communities.

We’re committed to providing a more equitable business landscape for the UK’s Black entrepreneurs and share that vision with Channel 4. By building on the successful first year of Black in Business, we’re giving more Black entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their businesses to the next level.”