As Black History Month begins, Meta has announced that three Atlanta Black-owned small businesses are among ten nationwide who’ll receive thousands in ad credits and creative support through a new program aimed at helping businesses survive the ongoing pandemic. 

Meta chose just ten companies nationwide and three of those are in Atlanta, including Decatur resident Kyra Young and her company Kyra’s Shea Medleys (KSM). She created her company to provide multipurpose beauty products designed for women of all colors. Her product line includes oils, conditioners, scrubs, and butters. Young is the first in her family to start a business and has already been featured on Good Morning America. 

In addition to $10,000 in ad credits, as part of the program Young will receive:

• Six weeks of one-on-one marketing mentorship with Meta Elevate (Meta’s program supporting Black businesses), learning how to build effective marketing campaigns on Facebook & Instagram
• A scholarship for Meta Blueprint’s digital marketing skills certificate to further the skills they need to succeed 

Meta is partnering with GRAMMY Award winning artist Ciara to make this all happen. Last fall, Ciara and Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s COO, announced the partnership and made a call for Black-owned businesses to apply to this special partnership program. 

The two other Atlanta businesses who are receiving these grants are Boss Branding on a Budget LLC and Kamala Enterprises.

Meta's Global State of Small Business Report has revealed that Black-owned small businesses have faced higher closure rates and more lost sales than their peers. In an effort to support Black-owned small businesses, Meta is announcing new programming, tools and resources for this community.

Throughout Black History Month, Meta Elevate will be kicking off weekly events with industry experts, small business owners and influencers to inspire and educate Black-owned small businesses with a new theme "Black365." These events, which will start during Black History Month, will continue beyond February to support this community and provide new ways to help their businesses thrive. Meta Elevate also has free training and scholarship opportunities for paid courses available here. 

Last fall, Sheryl Sandberg, Meta's Chief Operating Officer, and Ciara, GRAMMY Award-winning entertainer, philanthropist, and Beauty Marks Entertainment CEO, announced a new partnership and made a call for Black and Latinx-owned businesses to apply to a special partnership program.

The ten Black-owned small businesses who will be taking part in the program, nominated by Ciara, will receive one-on-one marketing mentorship from Meta Elevate: Round House Paper, Nicole Grace Collection, The Coil Brush, Boss Branding on a Budget, Aliyah Kamala Enterprises, The Self Care Suite, Manifest It, Sis, For Our Daughters Beauty, Kyra’s Shea Medleys and Zion's Greek Boutique

Ciara, GRAMMY Award winning entertainer, philanthropist and Beauty Marks Entertainment CEO, says: “The ten businesses I’ve nominated are dear to me because they embody determination, community, empathy, and empowerment. The success of Black-owned small businesses is key to wealth building in our community, which is why connecting Black owners to these opportunities is so important to me.” 

META COO Sheryl Sandberg says: “We are thrilled to partner with Ciara to invest in this talented group of Black entrepreneurs. I am also proud that Meta continues to support the Black small business community with the Elevate Training Program. The program has already reached over 1 million Black business owners and employees. We hope to continue to provide Black-owned small businesses with free digital tools and courses so they can continue to grow and thrive.”