WHY DO BLACK BUSINESSES STRUGGLE TO GROW?
The most recent data on minority owned firms in the United States was collected in 2012 (and released at the end of 2015). It showed that the number of minority-owned firms rose from 5.8 million in 2007 to 8 million in 2012. Hispanic-owned firms grew the most rapidly – by 46 percent to 3.3 million. African American-owned firms grew by 34.5 percent to 2.6 million. Asian-owned firms grew by 23.8 percent to 1.9 million. Women-owned firms grew by 26.8 percent compared to firms owned by men that grew by just 6.8 percent. Since the total number of firms grew by just 2 percent, to 27.6 million, the growth in minority and women-owned firms could define the way that business is being done in our country.
We Must Support the Freedom- Fighting Legacy of George E. Curry in the Black Press
The freedom struggle and Civil Rights Movement of Black people in America and throughout the world have lost another courageous, iconic, freedom fighter, journalist and leader. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) salutes, respects, and supports the freedom-fighting legacy of George Edward Curry.
Chicago Association of REALTORS® Honors Marion Maner
Marion Maner, the first-ever African-American president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), was recently honored for his distinct service to the Chicago real estate community during the unveiling of a bench in his honor. The bench is located in Avalon Park, a Chicago Park District property.
SBA Launches New Website for America’s Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C.— SBA has launched certify.sba.gov, a new website to further streamline and improve the application processes for small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to do business with the federal government.
Jack Radics to Join Carlos Santana, John Legend and Others For Harry Belafonte Social Justice Festival
(Black PR Wire) New York– Platinum selling Jamaican recording artist Jack Radics has been added to a stellar lineup of performers who will headline Harry Belafonte’s ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ Music and Arts Festival on October 1- 2.
Child-Star Dr. Danielle Spencer-David to be Honored with Smithsonian Exhibit
Best known for her acting antics as bratty little sister “Dee”on the television series “What’s Happening!!” Dr. Danielle Spencer- David will soon be accepting a new role: That of a Smithsonian Institution inductee.
Brandy, 2016 Chicago Ultimate Women’s Expo Keynote Speaker
The Chicago Ultimate Women’s Expo presents a star-studded, empowering and entertaining weekend on September 10 and 11, 2016 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Keynote celebrity speakers include: Brandy, Award Winning Actress and Grammy Winning Singer Mariel Hemingway, Oscar Nominated Actress, New York Times Bestselling Author and Health Advocate
Focus Black Women at Congressional Symposium
Sometimes referred to as the ‘burden bearers’ of the black community, Black Womens’ needs or issues are often not given serious consideration especially when it comes to public policy.
America’s Largest Black-owned Gift Company Celebrates 25th Year
Whether you are looking for something that brightens your home like a vibrant piece of canvas artfrom world renowned artist DD Ike, or the perfect gift for any woman in your life such as a woven tote bag from the company’s new Queen collection, African American Expressions has become a one-stop shop for gifting needs targeting black consumers.
BANDING TOGETHER AGAINST HATE
Continuous divisive rhetoric in the U.S associated with terrorism and broad labeling of Islam and Muslims as a terrorist group or religion is causing a population of people to rise up and demonstrate on levels reminiscent of the Jim Crow South.
CAU Preps for Win in the Classroom and on the Field
Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, President of Clark Atlanta University has issued a ‘call to higher education’. He has also beefed up CAU’s athletics programs with former pro athletes coming aboard as coaches. Johnson and his staff have predicted a win at the upcoming Chicago Football Classic, September 10th at Soldier’s Field against Central State University. “We made a friendly wager, a bushel of (Georgia) peaches if we lose, but they (Central) haven’t responded,” said Johnson.
FIRST ANNUAL INNER CITY CHESS TOURNAMENT
QBG Foundation and it’s parent company The Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group have partnered with the ABT organization to announce their 1st Annual Chicago Inner City Team Chess Tournament to be held at the Headquarters of the QBG Foundation. This event will serve as an introductory to encourage the game of chess as a positive outlook for inner city youth. Research shows that the continued participation in the game of chess can improve learning, thinking, analytical power and decision making.
Footaction Fuses Old School Flavor With New School Style In Video Docuseries ‘Footaction Free Flow’
Footaction, a national retailer of apparel and footwear lifestyle brands, announced its new digital docuseries, “Footaction Free Flow,” that brings together the industry’s top musical talent from multiple generations in an unfiltered discussion about today’s hottest topics.
Virtual Reality Hackathon Kicks Off in September
Dhat Stone High Tech Learning Academy (Compton, CA) and Bay Area Tutoring Association (Oakland, CA) recently announced plans to host the highly-anticipated ‘We Are Code’ Virtual Reality Hackathon during Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-4, 2016).
Capital Funding Campaign Underway
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is working in partnership with the South Side Community Federal Credit Union on a community development capital plan called the 50/50 Campaign.
Law & Community Training: Re-building Trust Between Youth, Community and Police
WGCI’s Afternoon Personality Tone Kapone and the WGCI Street Team will be onsite to help kickoff the Law & Community Training Youth Conference on August 31 from 10 am to 1 pm at the South Suburban College Field House located on 15800 S. State Street in South Holland.
Common Cause Illinois Works to Make Voter Registration Automatic
All across the country Republican state representatives and governors are waging war on African American and Latino voters. According to a unanimous panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals summary North Carolina voter I.D. laws targeted black voters with “almost surgical precision.” The state waited 17 days after that ruling then asked the Supreme Court to reinstate its voter-ID law, cuts to early voting, and ban on preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Domestic Workers Celebrate Hard-Fought Landmark Victory
Chicago, IL) --Illinois home cleaners, nannies and care workers recently celebrated a significant victory in the growing movement for domestic workers’ rights through the state’s first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. After a five-year campaign led by the Illinois Domestic Workers Coalition, the state’s 35,000 workers won a monumental change in state law. The 1938 federal Fair Labor Standards Act explicitly excluded domestic workers, majority of whom are Black women, women of color and immigrant women, and was mimicked by many states, including Illinois.
Fun Fresh Veggie Farm Days in Bronzeville
Food Deserts is often a phrase you hear when it comes to a lack of access to fresh, healthy and nutritious food options in the African American community. As defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, food deserts are defined as parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas.
