(WHTM) - During Black History Month we are sharing a snapshot of Black-owned businesses. While challenges persist, these businesses have seen significant growth nationwide. Ameka Coleman, the Founder of Strands of Faith in Pearl, Mississippi, has a 3,000-square-foot facility used to formulate hand-crafted hair products. Events coming to Hershey in 2025 "I wanted to create a brand that was more holistic in terms of products and encouraged me. I just combined the two together," said Coleman. "And that's what inspired me to start Strands of Faith." Faith tested when it came to funding. "When you look at funding and the stats that are against most Black business owners when it comes to, receiving like loans, the stats show that we receive it at a much lower rate than our counterparts," said Coleman. Black business owner wins with family banana pudding recipe She started using her savings and grant money for her start-up while also heavily relying on social media to boost sales. Dr. Kenneth Harris, President & CEO of the National Business League, says social media has been highly beneficial for small businesses like Coleman's. "No question, [I] would say not only TikTok, but I would also say Linkedin, Facebook and all of your traditional types of social media platforms that give entrepreneurs a competitive landscape to get their message out," said Dr. Harris. Black-owned pharmacy combats ‘pharmacy desert’ The National Business League is the first and oldest trade association for Black-owned businesses in the United States. "We find ourselves in 2025 with an upswing in trajectory," said Dr. Harris. "Black businesses are growing three times the national rate as it being more than 3.6 million Black-owned businesses here in the United States of America. Ninty-five percent of those businesses are between one and three employees, which means that although we have seen a tremendous uptick in Black businesses, there is still a significant amount of capacity in building growth" Dorien Saunders owns Whims Brewing in Atco, New Jersey, and says he has seen great growth since opening in 2022. "The tenants trying to keep it local, trying to support the economy while we're doing it friends, family, local artists," said Saunders. "And that's, you know, that's a high level." His father Lance Saunders helps oversee sales and distribution for the company. "His beers are just amazing. I've received a lot of fanfare in a sense that folks they do want to be supportive of us from our community." While both love the idea of supporting Black-owned businesses, Dorien says he doesn't want customers to support him "just because we're Black-owned." "I want you to support us because you also believe in the product," said Dorien. "You enjoy the product." When it comes to keeping these small businesses out of the red, customer loyalty is key.Coleman says you may think your favorite business owner is successful because they have visibility, but in order to keep them going. They need your support.