Retailer H&M and the nonprofit Buy From A Black Woman have officially parted ways.
According to WWD, the split came after H&M decided to scale back its involvement in joint events with the organization.
Buy From A Black Woman, founded by Nikki Porcher in 2016, began working with the retailer on International Women’s Day in 2021. Since then, they have supported 30 Black women through accelerator programs, hosted activations, and helped more than 15 founders secure their Minority Enterprise (MBE) certification in just two years.
On its own, Buy From A Black Woman has led over 100 workshops and training sessions, awarded 45 business grants, and generated more than $2.7 million in revenue for Black women entrepreneurs.
However, after Trump’s executive order rolling back DEI initiatives, Porcher began noticing a shift. H&M appeared to be distancing itself from the organization’s programming.
According to the Black Woman founder, a key event was suddenly canceled and another was rescheduled without any communication.
The abrupt changes, utter lack of respect and transparency ultimately led Porcher to seek legal counsel for breach of contract. Ultimately, both parties agreed to end the partnership.
“In addition to an investment of nearly $1 million dollars to support the organization, we were also able to produce and host dozens of events that highlighted and created meaningful impact for Black women-owned businesses throughout the country,” shared H&M in a statement on the terminated contract.
“While it was not H&M’s decision to end the partnership, we wish Buy From a Black Woman the very best in their future endeavors as they embark in a new direction. H&M’s commitment to partnerships and programs highlighting inclusion and diversity remain unchanged, and we look forward to developing these in exciting new directions.”
For her part, Porcher wants to use this experience to educate Black women entrepreneurs on how to navigate corporate partnerships.
She also plans to lean into advocacy work, especially with the five-year anniversary of the Black Lives Matter protests happening this summer.
“There will be a lot more Black-owned business owners who will have this [type of thing] happen to them, but maybe not on such a grand scale. I want them to know that they are not by themselves. Entrepreneurship, especially as a Black woman, is such a lonely road,” Porcher said.
According to Afrotech, as part of the termination agreement, H&M offered Buy From A Black Woman $100,000 to quietly walk away while allowing the retailer to continue using the organization’s name and programs in its 2024 Inclusion and Diversity Report.
Porcher declined the offer.
“Corporations love to highlight Black Women when it benefits them. They build entire marketing campaigns based on our work, then quietly withdraw their resources while profiting from our visibility. That has to stop,” she said.
“Black women business owners deserve real investment. We are owed more than just empty words. We need lasting partnerships, real financial commitments, and actual accountability. When you support a Black Woman business owner, you’re not just supporting one Black Woman. You’re supporting a whole community. And this is me, standing up for mine.”
