Operation Hope seeks to support 1 million Black owned business across the US starting in Memphis An initiative called 1 Million Black Owned Businesses to offer millions in resources to support Black owned businesses. Author: Rudy Williams Updated: 10:28 PM CST February 25, 2021 MEMPHIS, Tenn — One million Black owned business across the country. It's also the name and the goal of a new initiative. And Memphis is the first city to kick off the project. Data shows there are thousands of Black owned businesses in and around Memphis, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're all thriving. Joann Massey of the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity said obstacles existed well before the COVID crisis.