Since it’s inception in 2004, Black Business serves to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African-American businesses,” in order to highlight and support Black business owners, especially given the unique challenges faced by minority entrepreneurs. Celebrated in August, Black Business Month derives from co-founder and engineering entrepreneur Frederick E. Jordan’s own experience navigating the perils of financial backing and funding when he launched his own firm in 1969. When we celebrate the impact of black business owners and entrepreneurs, it pays tribute to them and their legacies, especially since honoring this month recognizes the value of black-owned businesses and their contribution to the economy.

HOW TO OBSERVE BLACK BUSINESS MONTH

Show your support: From Tik Tok to Instagram, social media is full of hashtag trails amplifying Black business pages for you to support. Use Black directories on the web to guide you to black-owned businesses for your routine needs or any car repair work or fine-tuning that needs doing. This can aide you in shopping local when it comes to small businesses owned by Black people.
Read up on black entrepreneurship: Lend your attention to Black entrepreneurs by hearing what they have to say firsthand. The wealth of literature written and read by successful black entrepreneurs and businesspeople offer many gems of knowledge. Popular reads include: “The Color of Money” by Mehrsa Baradaran, “The Little Black Book of Success” by Elaine Meryl Brown, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, and “Everyday Millionaires” by Chris Hogan.
Try ‘Black Food Fridays: Tap into #BlackFoodFridays on Instagram to be part of the movement started by Charleston, South Carolina’s writer/activist/innovator — K. J. Kearney. The goal of the movement is simple; to direct peoples’ attention to black-owned restaurants all over the nation. The idea is now forming into a business, with apps like ‘EatOkra’ also doing the same.