Today’s job market can confuse the most seasoned job seekers and those seeking a first-time employment opportunity. Breona Larmore, owner and career services consultant at B. Larmore Professional Services, possesses over 10 years of experience helping individuals strengthen their resumes and other career documents. The Anne Arundel County, Maryland resident supports individuals navigating the job market through resume writing, career document support, interview preparation, and building their confidence to effectively communicate their value to employers, from the start of the application process to the thank-you email after the interview. Larmore also provides services after a job offer is received. She stated that the current job market is mixed.
“According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, payroll employment increased by 57,000 jobs in June 2026, while the unemployment rate remained relatively low at 4.2%. At the same time, there were approximately 7.6 million job openings in May, but the hiring rate was only 3.3%. This suggests that opportunities are available, but job seekers may still face increased competition, slower hiring decisions, and longer hiring processes (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).
In-demand Industries
According to Larmore, industries connected to essential services and continu
As Black Business Month is recognized each August, Kunaya is highlighting how culture, wellness and entrepreneurship can come together to create a product with both economic and social impact.
Founded by Faridat Ilupeju, Kunaya is a Black woman-owned plant-based beverage company introducing tiger nut milk to consumers in the United States. The company offers a nutritious alternative to traditional dairy and other plant-based milks while promoting sustainable sourcing and supporting farming communities.
Despite their name, tiger nuts are not nuts. They are root tubers that have been consumed for generations in West Africa, the Mediterranean and other parts of the world. Because tiger nuts are tubers, Kunaya’s beverage is naturally nut-free, dairy-free and lactose-free, making it an allergen-friendly option for consumers with a range of dietary needs.
Tiger nuts are also a nutrient-rich superfood. They are high in fiber, contain healthy fats that may provide sustained energy and are a source of essential vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, potassium and iron. Tiger nuts are naturally sweet, allowing Kunaya to offer a flavorful beverage that is low in sugar without sacrificing taste.
The idea for Kunaya began after DAC discovered tiger nut milk while
As August ushers in Black Business Month, the Baltimore Times launches a weekly series spotlighting the professionals who keep Black-owned businesses thriving — starting with the case for putting people first.
Every August, Black Business Month calls on us to celebrate, support, and strategically grow Black-owned enterprises across the country. It's a month for shopping intentionally, for spotlighting entrepreneurs who've built something from nothing, and for reminding our community that economic power is community power.
It's also a month when we talk about infrastructure. A healthy, thriving business needs a sharp accountant to keep the books honest. It needs an attorney to protect contracts, intellectual property, and the founder's own liability. It needs a banker who understands access to capital isn't always equal, and an insurance professional who can shield a life's work from the unexpected. These four pillars matter. And next week, this series turns to exactly that — the operational backbone that keeps a business standing.
But before we get to operations, we must start somewhere else: the person.
A Business is Only as Healthy as the Person Running it
Car repairs can be stressful, especially when drivers have little information to determine whether the amount they are being charged is reasonable. FairRide AI is working to change that by giving consumers a faster and easier way to evaluate repair estimates before approving the work.
Founded by Precious Jones, FairRide AI is a Black woman-owned, AI-powered consumer technology platform that helps drivers determine whether their car repair bills are fairly priced.
Users can upload a repair estimate to FairRide AI and receive a fairness score based on market pricing data. The platform analyzes the estimate and provides information about labor charges, parts costs and additional fees that may be higher than expected.
“Too many people are left guessing when it comes to car repair costs,” Jones said. “FairRide AI gives users clarity and confidence in seconds.”
The platform is designed to address the imbalance of information that can exist between consumers and automotive repair businesses. Many drivers do not know the typical cost of a replacement part, the standard amount of labor required for a repair or how local pricing may affect the final bill.
The world is a better place because of the valuable contributions of nonprofits. National Nonprofit Day, recognized on August 17, marks a time to celebrate their value, highlight their goals and remember when support can be given. Jaemellah Jackson, founder and CEO of IT TAKES TWO, INC, leads a nonprofit “creating tomorrow's leaders today.” Over 600 students have been supported through scholarships and hybrid educational programming to date through IT TAKES TWO, INC Jackson shared updates highlighting the hard work nonprofit organizations and their supporters do to fill needed gaps in communities.
Significant Updates
One of the most significant updates for IT TAKES TWO, INC this year has been strengthening their organization from the inside out.
IT TAKES TWO, INC’s mission statement has been refined.
“Supporting underserved families and single-parent households will always remain at the heart of why IT TAKES TWO, INC was founded. At the same time, we recognize that
BALTIMORE — The Greater Baltimore Urban League launched applications for its Restaurant Accelerator Program on August 3, 2026. The intensive business development initiative is designed to help established food and beverage entrepreneurs strengthen their operations and prepare for growth.
Restaurant Accelerator Program participant,
Rambling Rose
Hello everyone! I hope you are well and enjoying your summer vacations. I also hope you are enjoying the many activities going on in Baltimore and other parts of Maryland, such as: festivals, outdoor concerts, or just sitting on your front porch enjoying this God-given weather. I want to thank all my friends, followers, and fans for your continued support over the past 12 years of my shows, which I started at the Avenue Bakery Courtyard. We have two more shows to go: August 15, and we’ll be closing out with the one and only “Signature Live” with Dee & Frankie Addison from the DC area.
Yes, the Avenue Bakery is celebrating its 15th anniversary near the corner of Pennsylvania & Baker Street. Owned by James W. Hamlin, who is also a historian, activist, author, and baker. Yes! I said, baker. Jim, as he is fondly called, is truly a baker who bakes the famous rolls that melt in your mouth right on the premises. You can get there early in the morning and watch him through the wide plate-glass windows with his cap and apron on, rolling around the dough in giant bowls, pinching off just enough dough to make his special rolls in three parts. He also makes cakes, pies and pudding from his own recipe. If you haven’t been there yet, then you must go and treat yourself, and you will know what I’m talking about!
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