Frequently asked questions
Black Dolla Indy is a verified Black business directory and marketing platform that connects consumers to Black-owned businesses. We make it easier for the community to shop intentionally while giving businesses tools to grow and stay visible.
We serve three main audiences:
Black-owned businesses looking for visibility
Consumers who want to support Black businesses
Organizations seeking community partners or referral sources
No. Black Dolla Indy is a for-profit platform focused on marketing and visibility for Black-owned businesses through a subscription-based membership.
Black Dolla Connect is the nonprofit arm, dedicated to education, community outreach, and connecting individuals to business resources and programs.
While they work in alignment to support Black entrepreneurship, they operate independently with distinct missions and services.
The directory boosts your visibility — but by connecting you with vetted, Black-owned businesses. We promote the directory through newsletters, social media, and partnerships with organizations like Black Dolla Connect, LISC, ISBDC, and Verizon. Members benefit from admin referrals, consumer searches, tagged posts, and ad space for coupons, events, and workshops. While sales aren't guaranteed, visibility is — and in today’s market, that’s everything.
We verify each listing by checking your Secretary of State registration and/or license or certification (when applicable). This helps provide credibility and builds consumer trust. If they have a BBB profile, we check that and of course their Google Reviews.
No platform can guarantee sales or traffic. But by promoting the entire directory consistently, we increase your chances of being discovered. Active members who take advantage of ads, shout-outs and mentioning the directory to your own network, may see stronger results
No. Ad space is only available to members. However, non-members may occasionally be featured in our exclusive newsletters if we are featuring a certain industry etc...— but they do not receive directory listings, shout outs, or ongoing promotions.
Your $15/month membership ($180 yearly) isn’t just a listing — it’s an investment in trusted, ongoing visibility. The directory was created to spotlight vetted Black-owned businesses, offering consumers a safe, reliable way to shop with intention.
We promote the directory to followers through e-newsletters, referrals, and direct marketing — including to those who aren’t active on social media.
Membership gives you access to ad space for coupons, events, and workshops, admin referrals, and enhanced features like indicators for licensed, certified, or community-voted businesses.
While we can’t guarantee sales, we can guarantee you’ll be seen by more people actively looking for what you offer.
Plus, your membership supports the tools that power it all — our website, CRM, email platform, and outreach systems — while allowing us to keep all of our community resources free.
This platform is a natural extension of the free exposure many businesses have historically received through Black Dolla Connect. As we continue to align our efforts through formal partnerships, promotional access through Black Dolla Connect will be increasing social ads to verified directory members. Becoming a member ensures your visibility is secure and your business stays connected to the community we’ve built together.
Your membership includes:
A verified listing in our online directory
Permission to advertise events, coupons, and programs/workshops you are hosting
Social media shout-outs and e-newsletter spotlights
Access to priority member-only perks, such as grant/loan info and resources to help grow/sustain your business when they become available
A Dashboard to track your purchases and more...
You can promote events, discounts, workshops & programs - as long as you're a verified member and the ad aligns with our community standards.
Click “Join Now” on our homepage to complete your membership registration. Once your business is verified, you’ll be listed in the directory and gain access to exclusive member benefits like newsletter features and advertising opportunities.
Members also receive access to paid ad space for promoting events, coupons, programs/workshops, offered at a very low cost to maximize visibility without breaking your budget.
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