The glow of a ring light illuminates Anacia Sessoms’ Montclair State University dorm room, casting a spotlight not on textbooks, but on a cascade of reclaimed fabrics and shimmering textiles. With a needle and thread, the 20-year-old artist and designer is meticulously transforming what others discarded into a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art. This isn’t a hobby; it’s the headquarters of her sustainable fashion brand, Enchantment Of Gardens. A few towns over in East Orange, 17-year-old Ryan Kundan stands behind the counter of his new restaurant, “Everything Nice with Spice,” serving up the Guyanese flavors he grew up loving, a dream he and his mother turned into a brick-and-mortar reality.   

This is the new face of Black entrepreneurship in New Jersey. A wave of Gen Z founders is rising, armed not with traditional business plans, but with TikTok accounts, a deep sense of purpose, and an unapologetic drive to build their own tables rather than wait for a seat at someone else’s. They are launching businesses from their dorm rooms, kitchens, and pop-up shops, redefining what it means to be a boss in the Garden State. They’re bringing fresh ideas, incredible food, and a profound commitment to social impact, fueling a new Black business boom that’s about more than just profit—it’s about building a legacy.   

The New Hustle: Purpose is the Playbook

For this generation, the “why” is just as important as the “what.” They are digital natives who move at the speed of a viral trend, but their businesses are often rooted in something much deeper: a desire to solve a problem, serve a community, or make a tangible impact.

Take Sienna Sage, an East Orange native who founded her natural haircare line, Flourish by Sage, right from her kitchen. Frustrated by the lack of clean, high-performance products for textured hair, she decided to create her own. Her brand is built on a foundation of empowering Black women to embrace their natural hair with confidence and ease. “Flourish By Sage was built on the vision of empowering natural hair lovers to embrace their textures with confidence and ease,” Sage states, emphasizing her commitment to quality ingredients without compromise. This is a common thread: these entrepreneurs are their own target market, creating authentic solutions for communities they are a part of.   

This purpose-driven approach is their competitive edge. Anacia Sessoms’ brand, Enchantment Of Gardens, isn’t just about creating beautiful clothes; it’s a direct response to the fashion industry’s wastefulness. By upcycling and using sustainable practices, she creates “living artworks” that are both inclusive and eco-conscious. Her mission is to “reduce textile waste in the fashion industry, while creating one-of-a-kind artwork garments”. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; it’s the core of her brand’s identity, resonating deeply with a generation that increasingly makes purchasing decisions based on a company’s values.   

They are also masters of the digital landscape, leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok to build communities, not just customer lists. While Sienna Sage built her initial following through in-person events at festivals across the tri-state area, allowing customers to see and feel the product, the digital world is where these brands scale and tell their stories.Anacia’s intricate, sculptural garments come to life in video, and Ryan’s mouth-watering Caribbean dishes are perfectly framed for a foodie’s feed. They understand that in today’s market, a compelling story and a genuine connection can be more powerful than a massive advertising budget.   

From Dream to Reality: Profiles in Passion

The journey from a creative idea to a thriving business is never easy, especially for young Black entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers to accessing capital and professional networks. Yet, their stories are a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community support.   

At just 17, Ryan Kundan is already a restaurateur. His East Orange spot, “Everything Nice with Spice,” was born from a desire to see the Guyanese culture he loves represented in his community’s food scene. “Me and my mom have been trying to open a restaurant for a very long time to make Caribbean food because there are not many restaurants out here that represent the Guyanese culture and the flavour of Guyana,” Ryan shared. His journey was accelerated by the “Boss Up” program at Essex County Community College, a 10-week course that teaches teens the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and provides a stipend to launch their businesses. With his mother, Shavana, as head chef, Ryan manages the front of the house and marketing, a true family enterprise built on a shared dream.   

For Anacia Sessoms, the path was paved through academic and creative channels. As a visual arts student at Montclair State University, she leveraged pitch competitions at the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to win funding and gain exposure. Her unique, sustainable designs have already graced the runways of Newark and New York Fashion Weeks, proving that a commitment to environmentalism can coexist with high fashion.   

Sienna Sage’s strategy was rooted in grassroots connection. She took her Flourish by Sage products directly to the people, setting up at local house music festivals and other events. “We would tell them about the products and apply it to their hair. And almost every single person that would sit in our chair would buy a product,” she recalled. This hands-on approach built a loyal customer base that trusts the brand because they trust its founder.   

Building the Legacy: More Than Just a Business

This entrepreneurial surge is about more than individual success; it’s a collective movement toward economic empowerment and building generational wealth. Black entrepreneurs have historically faced immense hurdles, receiving less than 1% of venture capital funding and being twice as likely to be denied loans. In response, this generation isn’t just starting businesses; they are creating economic ecosystems.   

Their success has a powerful ripple effect. They create jobs, often hiring from within their own communities. They serve as visible role models, showing other young people of color that entrepreneurship is a viable path. And by providing culturally relevant products and services, from natural hair care to Guyanese cuisine, they are filling critical gaps in the market and reinforcing community pride.   

This is a long-term vision. As one entrepreneur on social media put it, “You don’t hustle for you. You hustle for your last name. You hustle for your family… The game is the long game”. These young founders are planting the seeds for trees whose shade they may not fully enjoy, but future generations will.   

Getting in the Bag: Resources for the Next Wave

While the challenges are real, so is the growing network of support for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in New Jersey. The narrative is shifting, with organizations stepping up to provide the capital, mentorship, and training needed to level the playing field.

• Incubators and Accelerators: Programs like the Entrepreneurs Access Network from Ernst & Young and incubators like =SPACE and Newark Venture Partners are specifically designed to elevate scalable Black- and Latinx-owned companies.   
• University and Community Programs: The “Boss Up” program at Essex County Community College that helped launch Ryan Kundan’s restaurant is a prime example of hyper-local, impactful training. Rutgers University’s   
• Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED) is another powerhouse, launching initiatives like the Black and Latino Angel Investment Fund.   
• State and Non-Profit Support: The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers a range of grants and loans, while organizations like the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) provide advocacy and specialized programs.   

For any young person with an idea, the message is clear: you are not alone. The first step is to connect with these organizations, participate in their workshops, and build your network. The path is being paved by the trailblazers who came before, and the journey is being supported by a community that is invested in seeing you win. This new generation of Black entrepreneurs in New Jersey is not just shaking up the business scene—they’re building a more equitable, innovative, and flavorful future for everyone.