Actively Black on CNBC: Lanny Smith on Black Business Month 2025

Watch the full segment: Actively Black founder on Black Business Month and starting a clothing business, CNBC (August 2025) · Watch on YouTube

CNBC featured Actively Black, the Black-owned athleisure brand founded by Lanny Smith in 2020, in an August 1, 2025 video segment titled “Actively Black founder on Black Business Month and starting a clothing business.” On CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange, Lanny joined anchor Frank Holland to discuss the retail sector, the challenges of creating a clothing line, and entrepreneurship. The conversation aired on the first day of Black Business Month, a fitting moment for a brand built to put ownership back in our community’s hands.

Key takeaways

• CNBC aired the segment on August 1, 2025, the start of Black Business Month, on its morning program Worldwide Exchange.
• According to CNBC’s description, Lanny Smith, founder and CEO of Actively Black, joined anchor Frank Holland to discuss the retail sector.
• CNBC’s description says the conversation covered the challenges of creating a clothing line and entrepreneurship.
• The chapter list on CNBC Television’s YouTube upload includes Being an athlete, All cotton line, Tariffs, Starting a clothing business, and Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• The segment is published on CNBC.com and on the CNBC Television YouTube channel.

Why it matters

Black Business Month is about more than a hashtag. It is a reminder that where we spend, who we build with, and who owns the brands we wear all shape the strength of our communities. Seeing a Black-owned apparel company on a national business network, talking about the realities of retail, tariffs, and what it takes to build a clothing line, helps make ownership visible for the next generation of founders.

Lanny’s path runs through the topics on CNBC’s chapter list. He played basketball at the University of Houston before an injury ended his NBA career, and he turned that setback into a second act as a builder. Actively Black launched in 2020 with a clear mission: celebrate Black culture and reinvest in the Black community. We’re not asking for a seat at the table; we’re building our own table, and every member of the Tribe who wears the brand is part of building it. Moments like this segment carry that message beyond our own channels and into the conversations where business decisions get made.

For anyone thinking about starting a brand of their own, the segment’s focus on advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is a reminder that the path is open. Watch the full conversation on CNBC to hear Lanny in his own words.

Shop the story

Try the fabric behind the conversation in our Premium Cotton collection, shop our best sellers, or train in our Performance collection.

Frequently asked questions

Was Actively Black on CNBC?

Yes. Founder and CEO Lanny Smith appeared on CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange with anchor Frank Holland on August 1, 2025, for a segment on Black Business Month and starting a clothing business.

What did Lanny Smith discuss on CNBC in 2025?

According to CNBC’s description, he discussed the retail sector, the challenges of creating a clothing line, and entrepreneurship, with chapters covering tariffs, an all-cotton line, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Who founded Actively Black?

Actively Black was founded in 2020 by Lanny Smith, a former University of Houston basketball player whose NBA career ended due to injury.

Is Actively Black Black-owned?

Yes. Actively Black is a Black-owned athleisure brand whose mission is to celebrate Black culture and reinvest in the Black community.