August is National Black Business Month!
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August is National Black Business Month, and EVOLVE encourages you to recognize and support the many local Black-owned businesses and Black-owned businesses across the country. Founders John William Templeton and Frederick E. Jordan Sr. started the national holiday back in 2004 “to drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African American businesses,” according to the official website.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately two million Black-owned companies in the United States. Around 40 percent of black-owned businesses are in areas such as health care and social assistance, repair and maintenance, and other personal services. Other common Black-owned businesses include advertising firms, auto dealerships, consulting services, restaurants, barbershops, beauty salons, and more.
How to Observe National Black Business Month:
Educate & Support.
Take time to educate yourself about the existing Black-owned businesses in your community. Choose 2 organizations or businesses to learn about every day for the month of August. Support these businesses by purposefully making donations or purchases, or volunteering your skills/time to provide extra support. You can also research what business opportunities there are for your local African American community, and what barriers exist that limit opportunity.
Here are some articles to get you started:
– Black Owned Businesses in Minnesota that Need Your Support
– Where to Support Black-Owned Businesses in the Twin Cities
– How to Support Black-Owned Businesses in Minnnesota
– Help Support MN Black-Owned Businesses in this Challenging Economy
– Support Black Owned
– Celebrate Black Business Month With These Need-to-Know Brands
Spread the word.
Support and encourage local businesses and owners by connecting with them on social media and sharing their information with your friends, family, and other circles using the hashtag #NationalBlackBusinessMonth.
Follow the Black Owned Businesses in Minnesota Facebook Page to connect with black business owners. Facebook has announced a new slate of free education sessions and awareness programs as part of National Black Business Month, which celebrates the contributions of black-owned businesses around the world.
“We’re partnering with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) to host Black Business August, a series of free virtual trainings, small business panels and expert speakers that will continue all month long. With 145 Black Chambers of Commerce and 326,000 members across the country, USBC provides leadership and advocacy to empower Black business owners through resources and initiatives. The topics we’ll cover range from building a thriving online community to adapting in uncertain times to getting access to capital and professional networks. We’ll hear from small business owners like Simileoluwa Adebajo, Head Chef and Owner of San Francisco’s Eko Kitchen, and Omar Kinnebrew, Founder and CEO of Atlanta’s Bespokuture. To kick off our month of celebration, we’re hosting a Q&A with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) CEO Ron Busby, who will answer questions from our small business community on Instagram and Facebook. Tune in on @instagramforbusiness on August 7 at 11AM PT. Learn more about our Black Business August events and register in advance on the Black Business August site.” – Facebook for Business
Learn about UMOJA MN & Get Involved!
UMOJA MN is a culturally enriching camp for individuals and families who are raising African American kinship, adoptive, and foster care youth. This three-day camp is designed to give every member of your household an experience to bond with other families, engage in hands-on activities, and develop cultural competence and awareness of one’s own identity and view about difference.
UMOJA is a Swahili word that means “unity.” UMOJA MN unites families by providing culturally inclusive programming that acknowledges and celebrates African American heritage and identity.
Resources:
National Day Calendar – Black Business Month
Facebook for Business – Celebrating National Black Business Month
Social Media Today – Facebook Launches ‘Black Business August’ to Support and Highlight Black-Owned Businesses
