10 Reasons You Need to Apply for Goldman Sachs Black in Business

If you follow me, you already know I am big on sharing the room.

If I learn about an opportunity that helped me, I'm going to tell somebody else about it. If I find a resource that can help you grow, I'm sending it your way. And if I tell you to apply for something, please know there is probably a reason.

So here I am again telling my entrepreneurs: APPLY for Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business.

And this time, I have 10 reasons why.

I recently completed the 12-week program, and I can tell you firsthand that this experience made me look at my business differently. It challenged some things I thought I knew, confirmed some things I was already doing and, most importantly, made me think bigger about where I'm going.

Black In Business

And baby, did I mention it's FREE? Yes. Free.99. So before you talk yourself out of applying, here are my top 10 reasons you need to put your name in the hat.

1. It's FREE.

I'm saying it twice because some of y'all still aren't listening.

This is a free 12-week business education program. Goldman Sachs also brings participants to its headquarters in New York for an all-expenses-paid, in-person experience.

We spend money on conferences, coaches, classes and everything else trying to figure business out. Here is an opportunity to receive a serious business education without another invoice hitting your inbox. So apply!!!!!!

Black In Business

2. It Will Make You Stop Playing With Your Business

There's a difference between having a business and actually running a business. Entrepreneurs wear all the hats. We answer emails, post on social media, service clients, chase invoices, create products and somehow become the IT department too.

But when do you sit down and actually CEO? This program made me do that. It forced me to think about where the business is going, not just what needed to be done by Friday. I had to learn to work on my business and not just in it!

3. You're Going to Learn Your Numbers

Listen, revenue sounds good. But profit sounds better. The curriculum gets into financial planning, projections, pricing, profits, financial statements and preparing to access capital. You cannot keep saying you want a million-dollar business and be afraid to open the spreadsheet. At some point, we have to know our numbers.

4. You're Learning Business From BUSINESS People

The curriculum was developed in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business and covers marketing, customers, operations, finances, growth and capital.

This isn't somebody on Instagram telling you to "just believe in yourself." No shade, because I believe in myself too. But I also need a strategy.

5. You Get Someone Who Will Challenge You

Participants are paired with a strategic advisor who provides personalized guidance throughout the experience. My strategic and business advisor, Kendra Y. Hill, did exactly what a good advisor should do, made me think and challenged me.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn't somebody giving you the answer. It's somebody asking you the question you've been avoiding and holding you to it!

6. The Network Is Different

I was part of a cohort of 306 women representing 47 states.

Think about that room. Different industries. Different cities. Different stories. Same desire to build something bigger. That kind of network changes the way you think about what's possible. Your business doesn't have to stay limited to your zip code, your city or even the people you already know.

7. You're Going to Build a Real Plan

One thing about me: I love a vision. But vision without execution is just a cute idea.

Throughout Black in Business, participants develop business action plans and spend real time thinking through what growth actually looks like. The commitment is serious too, Goldman Sachs says participants should expect about 9 to 12 hours of work each week.

So no, they're not playing with you. And that's a good thing.

8. The Results Are Talking

Goldman Sachs reports that the program has now reached 2,000 small business owners. Among alumni surveyed six months after completing it, 57% reported increased revenue and 35% reported hiring new employees.

Now those are numbers I like. The goal isn't to collect another certificate. The goal is to grow the business.

Black In Business

9. You're Going to See Yourself Differently

This may have been one of the biggest things for me. Sometimes we are so deep in the grind that we don't realize how much we've already built. Then you get around other entrepreneurs. You start explaining your business. You look at your numbers. You map out your future. You get challenged on your strategy.

And suddenly you're looking at yourself differently. You stop saying, "I'm just doing my little business." No!  You're building a company. Act accordingly.

10. Because I Already Told You to Apply!

This might be my favorite reason. I've already had friends listen to me, apply and GET IN.

So now I'm looking at the rest of y'all like... What are you waiting for? Don't disqualify yourself. Don't decide you're too busy. Don't tell yourself your business isn't big enough before you even check the requirements.

Right now, Goldman Sachs says eligible applicants need a revenue-generating business that has operated for at least one year, at least $25,000 in revenue over the past 12 months, and no other full-time or full-time-equivalent employees.

If that's you, go look at the application.

Applications for the Spring 2027 Black in Business cohort are OPEN NOW and close Friday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

You have time. But don't do that thing where you bookmark it, send it to yourself, leave the tab open for six days and then remember at 11:58 p.m. on the 28th.

APPLY.

Black In Business

I'm always talking about Ask. Seek. Knock. Well, sometimes the door is already open.

All you have to do is submit the application and walk through it. I did it. I've watched friends take my advice and do it.

Now it's your turn. And when you get that acceptance email, you already know what I'm going to say:

Go Get It! Apply HERE