Christine Michel Carter is putting her money where her mouth is. 

Known as the No. 1 Global Voice of Working Moms, Carter has long been an advocate for Black mothers, both in the workforce and entrepreneurship. She’s authored books, written columns for major outlets, spoken at countless events and even contributed to the Maternal CARE Act, an initiative of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Moms have relied on Carter for guidance in balancing motherhood and work, business and even earning power. 

Carter’s work came full circle this year as the accomplished mompreneur began angel investing in mom-owned companies. 

As Carter’s journey in entrepreneurship flourished, the data-driven marketer found through research that Black women-owned businesses could be more successful if they simply got the necessary financial support.

Black business owners seeking funding are rejected at twice the rate of white business owners, and Black moms looking to fund their businesses with loans are often given higher interest rates if approved. 

“I’ve done an article recently for Forbes about how Black women don’t need incubators or accelerators – they need the money,” said Carter, who is mom to a 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. “Why would I write that and not give the money if I have the ability to give it?” 

She added that allocating even a small amount of financial support toward a solid, Black mom-owned business can make a huge difference; you can invest in a social media ad for as little as $15. 

Carter has so far invested in three small businesses that center mothers or Black people. She’s also recently added business and marketing plan editing to her formal list of services. 

She’s supported Cradlewise, a company that manufactures smart cribs to help with a mom’s top challenge in putting children to sleep, and MYAVANA, which analyzes an individual’s hair to provide customized treatments and care options.  

Her latest investment went to Lilu, which creates hands-free massaging pumping bras. 

“When I read that pitch, I was just like, ‘This is it. This is what women need more than anything,’” Carter said about Lilu. “Like, my God. I wish that existed. I can’t tell you how many times I waddled all over the house with these two, trying to make sure the cord was still in the wall, but I’m waddling and it was just an absolute mess and milk is everywhere.” 

This personal experience, like many of others she’s collected with time, is what drives Carter to motivate other moms. 

She is passionate about uplifting working mothers. Carter hopes to shift the narrative by walking in her word and giving women proven tools in order to walk with her, especially in the case of Black working moms and mompreneurs. 

“I feel like we should always be, when we can, an advocate for yourself and your community, and who’s more of my community than a Black mother?” she said. “I always feel like their story isn’t told correctly. …That’s what I try to do for working moms in general, but especially for Black moms because the narrative about us can sometimes be very discouraging and depressing, for not only us, but for our children, too.

“I am trying to change that as much as I can.”