WALDORF, Md. — COVID-19 has taken its toll on all businesses, but it certainly had a hard impact on small businesses, bringing on several challenges that have led to many closing their doors for good. However, some of these businesses have been able to overcome these challenges and persevere.

Black-owned businesses also faced unique positions as the pandemic hit, as not only was there a push to support local and small businesses, but the popularity of black-owned businesses and shopping black-owned was hitting an all-time high. After speaking with a few black-owned business owners to see how they adapted during the pandemic, they described how they have gotten support from both the government and the community.

Dawn Tucker, the owner of Lord and Tucker Management and Consultants LLC, expressed that the biggest change for her business was being able to pivot from in-person work to telework. Fortunately, it was quite easy for her to adapt within her line of work.

“We never missed a beat… there wasn’t any real challenges,” Tucker said while discussing the impact COVID-19 had on her business. She never had to shut her doors, and she said she felt the growing support for black-owned businesses and small businesses in general.

Additionally, Tucker said that because the economy thrives on small businesses, it makes supporting them that much more crucial.

“Researchers have always said, small businesses are the engine of the economy,” she remarked. Tucker also emphasized the professional support she receives, citing how she has certifications available to her because she is a black and female business owner. She also holds a “Maryland Minority Enterprise” certificate and is listed as a “Federal Government 8(a) Entity.”

Alongside that, the government implemented several programs to provide financial support to small businesses and minority businesses, such as grants and payroll protection. While Tucker’s main client is the federal government, she simultaneously does work with several other businesses. She said she felt the support as shopping black-owned recently became more popular, and in turn, she saw more clients and supporters sharing her business and advertisements.

But not everyone overcame or even saw support in the same ways.

Tisa Clark, the president and CEO of J.D. Clark Professional Services, said she felt support from the government as they struggled to protect the economy by supporting small businesses. However, she didn’t get the same support that some other black-owned businesses received, such as more clientele, more advertising, and other support, simply because she primarily provides her services to government agencies.

She had a unique struggle due to servicing the government, when the government shutdown happened due to COVID-19. Unlike Tucker, she had to shut her business down completely until the government reopened.

Upon reopening, she found many rising financial supports the government provided, such as the payroll protection program, which gave her the support she needed to avoid laying off any of her workers during the pandemic.

As the pandemic continues and shopping at black-owned businesses remains popular among many, some have little control over how they are supported, regardless of who their owner is.

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