Don Brunell

Rioters in Ferguson, Missouri shattered the windows of Natalie’s Cakes and More and vandalized the baking equipment. However, when owner Natalie Dubose put her story on the internet, Americans immediately responded, donating more than $260,000 to help her rebuild her business.

The money was more than Dubose, an African-American small business owner, needed so she used the surplus donations to help the other 60 or so proprietors rebuild in the St. Louis suburb.

The contributions were timely, because it helped her immediately restore her shop and open its doors for customers. Keeping a loyal cus...