Apply for the Business Spotlight

Each month True News features two Black-owned businesses, free for 30 days: a write-up by our editor, a page here, and a spotlight across the True News app and the Black Box Marketplace. At the end you'll get a count of how many people viewed your page and visited your website.

How businesses are chosen

Who can apply: a business that is at least half owned, and run day to day, by one or more Black owners. It must be operating legally in the United States and already serving customers.
What we don't feature: adult content, gambling, payday or high-interest lending, political campaigns or committees, and anything illegal.
How the editor picks: the editor reads every application and looks at the business's story, what it offers the community, whether it's hiring, and whether it can be checked (a website, listing or public record). A business featured in the last 12 months waits its turn.
What it costs: nothing. The spotlight is always free, and True News will never ask a featured business for payment.
How long: two businesses at a time, each for 30 days. You'll be emailed before your spotlight starts, and you can ask us to end it at any time.

Business name Owner's name (shown) Category About the business (what you do, who you serve, your story) City State Website (optional) Business phone, shown publicly (optional) Link to a photo or logo (optional) This is a Black-owned business We're hiring

Spotlight interview (optional, but it makes the write-up yours)

Every business we feature answers the same questions. Answer any you like, in your own words; skip the rest. The editor uses your answers for the write-up and may quote them.

1. How and when did you start the business? 2. Why did you start it? What did you want to build, or what problem were you solving? 3. Who are your customers, and what do they come to you for? 4. What sets your business apart from others that do the same thing? 5. What has been the hardest part of building it, and how did you get through it? 6. How did you pay to start and grow (savings, family, loans, grants, investors)? What would help most now? 7. How does your business work with or give back to your community? 8. Who works with you? Are you hiring, and for what kinds of jobs? 9. What are you most proud of so far? 10. What's next for the business in the coming year? 11. What advice would you give someone starting a business today? 12. How can readers support you: visit, order online, follow, refer a customer? True News may quote my answers, edited only for length and clarity, with my name and the business name.

Your contact (never published) Your name Email

I own this business or am authorized to apply for it, the information above is true, and I give True News and Bagley Enterprises written permission to feature the business (its name, description, photo or logo, and public contact details) on True News, the Black Box Marketplace and their social media accounts. I can withdraw this permission at any time by replying to the editor's email.