Stories Feb 15th to 21st 2021

Four states and D.C. had labor force that was more than 30 percent African American in 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Top Stories

  • Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Black Economists Back Federal Job Guarantee Resolution (NewsOne). Rep. Ayanna Pressley Calls for a Federal Job Guarantee for All Americans (Bloomberg). Creating federal work programs will help combat the high unemployment rate.
  • Black Families Have a Major Stake in the Future of the Postal Service (Inequality). Could the postal service close the racial wealth gap by providing financial services to the public.
  • Beyoncé Put this Black Woman-Owned Skateboard Company on the Map (Bloomberg)
  • Reparations for slavery could have reduced Covid-19 transmission and deaths in the US, Harvard study says (CNN). Reparation made before the pandemic would have reduced the number of cases by 31% to 68% in Louisiana.
  • Investors are missing out on Black founders (TechCrunch)
  • Four states and D.C. had labor force that was more than 30 percent African American in 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Stories

Coronavirus / Covid-19 / Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

  • House Stimulus Package Proposal Pares Federal Unemployment Benefits By $1,600; Keeps Income Thresholds For Full $1,400 Stimulus Check (Forbes)
  • Black small-business owners are being left behind in the pandemic, survey finds (CNBC). Only 37% of Black businesses say they can survive under the pandemic restrictions for more than a year.
  • Understanding The Reopening Of The Paycheck Protection Program (Forbes)
  • Comcast launches grant program for businesses economically impacted by COVID- 19 (Philadelphia Tribune)
  • Black leaders want targeted federal funds for Black businesses hit hard by pandemic (CNN)
  • Latest Round Of PPP Could Better Benefit Black-Owned Businesses (KMUV)

Jobs / Workers / Unemployment / Gig Economy

  • Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Black Economists Back Federal Job Guarantee Resolution (NewsOne). Rep. Ayanna Pressley Calls for a Federal Job Guarantee for All Americans (Bloomberg). Creating federal work programs will help combat the high unemployment rate.
  • Black Families Have a Major Stake in the Future of the Postal Service (Inequality). Could the postal service close the racial wealth gap by providing financial services to the public.
  • GM helped propel Black workers into the middle class (Herald Bulletin)
  • How economists see Biden’s $15 wage proposal (PBS)
  • Unemployment Continues to be Highest for Women of Color (The 19th)
  • Four states and D.C. had labor force that was more than 30 percent African American in 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Inequality / Systemic Racism / Economic Justice

  • Rethinking Policy for Black America (Vox) — These policies can help dismantle inequities in education, housing, health, policing, and more.

Black Business

Black Business General / Interesting Businesses Stories

  • Black-Owned Businesses Hold the Key To Reenergizing Miami’s Overtown (Thrillist)
  • This New Union Market Store Is a “One-Stop Experience for Shopping Black-Owned” (Washintonian)
  • Original Black Panther member creates trailblazing community organizations in Oakland (ABC)
  • Ariel to invest in minority-owned businesses with $200M from JPMorgan (Chicago Business Journal)
  • How These Black-Owned Businesses Carved Their Own Path in Local Communities Amid the Pandemic (Inside Edition)
  • Being Black-owned helped this uptown Charlotte restaurant survive during COVID (Charlotte Observer)
  • Shawn Michelle’s is serving a community along with artisan ice cream — how Chicago’s Black-owned restaurants are faring during pandemic (Chicago Tribune)
  • As ‘a love letter to Black women,’ tea shop on KC dividing line empowers community (Kansas City Star) – Nika’s tea shop is dedicated to the peace and mind of Black women.
  • In A State Where Entrepreneurship Lags Among People Of Color, Some Promising Signs (WFYI)
  • Black Business Spotlight: Mind’s Eye Comics (MSR) – Childs is on a quest to
  • promote Black authors, creators, and writers.
  • Even with Biden stimulus, US minority entrepreneurs fear for survival (Yahoo Finance)
  • In A State Where Entrepreneurship Lags Among People Of Color, Some Promising Signs (WFYI) – Indianapolis. The only remaining Black business in the state finally got a PPP loan.
  • 25 Black businesspeople who helped shape America (Tuscon.Com)
  • The new face of Entrepreneurship (OZY) – a collection of stories about Black businesses.
  • Minorities struggle to become entrepreneurs in Utah, report says, and pandemic makes it tougher (KSL)

Black Business Specific

  • Beyoncé Put this Black Woman-Owned Skateboard Company on the Map (Bloomberg)
  • Carrying a Legacy: Lafayette County’s oldest active Black-owned business (Oxford Eagle)
  • Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc., African American Owned Manufacturer in the City of Detroit, Celebrates 50 Years In Business And Appoints New President To Lead The Company (Michigan Chronicle)
  • Brewers and filmmaker look to increase diversity in craft beer industry (TMJ4)

Big Business / Corporate America / PR

  • Apple launches inaugural Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers (Apple Newsroom)
  • Aunt Jemima gets rebranded by PepsiCo (The Ticker)
  • Wells Fargo Provides $5 million to Local CDFIs to Help Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (Norwood News)
  • PNC Bank commits $1 billion ‘to help end systemic racism’ (Denver Business Journal)
  • Marty Walsh promised 25% Of Boston’s Contracts To Go To Women, Minority-Led Firms (WBZ) – At least 15% to women owned firms and 10% to minority owned firms.
  • Boston’s new contracting goal could steer an additional $160 million to entrepreneurs of color over the next few years (Boston Globe)

Discrimination

  • Herb Washington, Black franchisee, accuses McDonald’s of racial discrimination (CBS News)
  • Minority groups file discrimination complaint against Boston over contract procurement (Boston Herald)
  • Black North Carolina firefighters file discrimination suit (AP)
  • Google to provide digital skills training for 100,000 Black women (Google) – Starting with sororities
  • I breastfed all 10 of my kids. Black moms need better nursing policies in the workplace (Tallahassee Democrat)
  • LinkedIn Research Shows Nearly 50% Of Black Professionals Have Faced Discrimination At Work (CBS Miami)
  • New Study Shows That Nearly Half Of Black Professionals Have Faced Blatant Discrimination At Work (Essence)

Reparations / Affirmative Action / Diversity / Inclusion

  • House subpanel to hold hearing on reparations for Black Americans (The Hill)
  • Biden backs reparations study, as House Dems push for commission (Moultrie Observer)
  • Reparations for slavery could have reduced Covid-19 transmission and deaths in the US, Harvard study says (CNN). Reparation made before the pandemic would have reduced the number of cases by 31% to 68% in Louisiana.
  • Companies have been trying (and failing at) diversity training for 50 years (Fast Company)
  • Twitter commits that 25% of its executives will be minorities or women by 2025 (CNBC)
  • Mastercard Introduces Strivers Initiative To Support Black Women-Owned Businesses (PYMNTS)
  • This Wall Street veteran is working to bring diversity to corporate America (CNBC)

Economics

Black Economics

  • Four states and D.C. had labor force that was more than 30 percent African American in 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Economic Recovery Must Center Black Workers (The Center for Law and Social Policy)
  • Arthur Lewis is mentioned in a story about developmental economics (Millennium Post)
  • State of Black New York: Income inequality and race (Radio) – Several stories about economic inequality in NYC. Canidate Kathryn Garcia suggests jobs and workforce development.
  • In-depth: Why minorities say it’s harder to start and grow a business (ABC Action News)
  • Baby bonds could shrink the Black-white wealth gap (Vox)
  • Business is Education (Evanston Roundtable) — Facebook group launched to raise money for local Black-owned businesses shifted its focus raise awareness for African-American education.

Research

  • Library of Congress
  • African Americans in Business and Entrepreneurship: A Resource Guide (LOC) – Library of Congress
  • African Americans in Science and Business Blog (LOC)
  • African Americans in Business and Entrepreneurship: A Resource Guide (Teaching Resources)

Industry Stories

Sports / Media / Entertainment

  • Long story about Project to Preserve African American Turf History (Thoroughbred Daily) – Black in the horse racing industry.
  • HBCUs are landing top recruits — but systemic change requires something more (Washington Post)
  • New ‘Green Book’ Showcases Black Contributions To Today’s Comics Business (Forbes)

Alcohol / Marijuana / CBD / Gambling

  • The Cannabis Industry Has a Chance to Change the World (Green Entrepreneur). The industry is looking to destigmatize cannabis for Black people and businesses.
  • 32% Cannabis Job Growth In 2020, Despite COVID-19 (The Fresh Toast)
  • Legal marijuana jobs booming, study finds (The Hill)
  • Guidance Whiskey Owner is Helping to Lift Up Other Black Businesses in Nashville (Thrillist)
  • Black And Female Winemakers You Can Support Today: An Interview With Ruben Morancy Of Adams Wine Shop (Forbes)

Beauty / Fashion / Retail

  • Highlighting a San Diego Black Hair Care pioneer (CBS)
  • What four Black, female business owners have to say about representation in the beauty industry (Fox 43) – While representation in beauty industry has improved, there is still much work to be done.

Technology / Apps / Innovation

  • Blackistory: Milwaukee-based Family Business Launches Educational Black History App For Mobile Devices (Milwaukee Independent)
  • Google feature aims to make finding Black-owned businesses easier (ABC) – Businesses now have the chance to add ‘Black-owned attribute’ via Google Merchant Help Center
  • Black Woman Leads Charge for Change Among Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs (Yahoo news /CBS San Francisco)

Finance / Investing / Venture Capital

  • Investors are missing out on Black founders (TechCrunch)
  • St. Pete investment firm with new minority focus closes first funding round (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
  • Seedfunders Opportunity Fund (Seedfunders) – Funding to support Black business
  • Tri-State Bank brings in interim CEO, marking its fourth leadership change in five years (Commercial Appeal) – Memphis.  If you want to know how hard it is to run a Black bank with a dwindling customer based., look no further.
  • NJ Forty Acres and a Mule fund launched to support  Black and Latinx Businesses (NJ TapInto) – NJ FAM Fund
  • Ariel Investments, America’s First Black-Owned Mutual Fund Giant, Launches Fund To Close The Racial Wealth Gap (Forbes)

Real Estate / Finance / Development / Housing / Segregation

  • CUs Owe It to Members to Reverse Financial Exclusion Driving the Black-White Homeownership Gap (Credit Union Times)
  • Chase doubles housing grant program as American banks reckon with low minority homeownership (CNBC)
  • The stark racial gap in homeownership (Axios) — The homeownership rate for Black families is nearly 30 percentage points lower than that for white families
  • A historic housing crisis has America in its grip. Can Marcia Fudge save the day? (USA Today)

Cities / Urban Planning / Local Government

  • Before urban renewal, much of Saratoga Springs was a different world (Albany Times Union)
  • Black Women and the Wealth Gap: Best Cities to Flourish Financially (Money Geek)

Taxes / Tax Policy

  • Comment: We need tax fairness and investment, not austerity (HeraldNet) — Racial and economic equality requires lawmakers to fix a regressive tax code and preserve state jobs.
  • Washington still has the nation’s most inequitable state tax code (Washington Budget and Policy Center)

Law / Legal / Non-profits / Philanthropy / Non-Profit

  • BigLaw Puts Brawn Behind Pro Bono Black Business Efforts (Law 360)

Education / Healthcare / Institutions

  • 9 HBCUs On Board In $130M Economic Mobility Plan To Revitalize Southern Communities (University Business)
  • How higher education is failing Black Americans in the Midwest (Crains Business Cleveland)
  • ‘Nation will surely suffer’ without the next generation of Black educators (Yahoo Money)
  • Putting student loan forgiveness in perspective: How costly is it and who benefits? (Brookings)
  • Supporting Black-owned Businesses Through Tech Platforms (National Black Chambers of Commerce) – Harry Alford is president of the NBCC.  Every editorial position is suspect since they took money from gig companies to support prop 22 in California. Now are they taking money from big Tech ?? This is not going to end well.

Farming / Agriculture / Food

Science / Math / Statistics / STEM

  • Black Women Inventors Recall Their Paths to Success (IPWatchDog)

Business Strategy / Governance

People and Careers

Career / Professions / Entrepreneurship / Businesses You Can Start

  • Ariel launches effort to boost minority managers (Pensions & Investments)
  • This ready-to-eat food startup relies on inspiration from traditional recipes (Fortune)
  • A Dozen Cousins Here
  • Startup incubator scheme for black-owned food & drink brands Add Psalt launches (The Grocer) – UK
  • Black women executives making history in the c-suite offer career advice to those following in their footsteps (CNN)

People / Motivation / Leadership / Success Stories / Ideas

  • Black-owned beauty brands and founders breaking billion-dollar barriers (CNBC)
  • Black In Business: Meet The Next CEO of Walgreens, Rosalind Brewer (WBLS)
  • 5 life and career lessons from Black business leaders (NBC News)
  • 8 Black Financial Influencers to Follow in Honor of Black History Month (Yakima Herald)
  • Why I Started a Business During Quarantine (Essence) – How three sisters turned challenging times into golden opportunities.
  • Leonard Miller recalls 72 years of living in Ashtabula, working as first African-American foreman at Raser Tanning Co. (Ashtabula Star Beacon)
  • Cynthia Marshall, of the Dallas Mavericks. Is the first Black Women CEO in the NBA.
  • Legendary Black Entrepreneurs (Investopedia)

All Other

Caribbean / Africa / International

  • A Black woman will be the world’s top trade official for the first time (CNN)

Travel / History

Conservative / Alternative

Opinion

  • I breastfed all 10 of my kids. Black moms need better nursing policies in the workplace (Tallahassee Democrat)
  • I think generational wealth is a key to liberating people of color from systemic oppression, but it’s not all about having a fat bank account (Business Insider)
  • The Way Out of America’s Zero-Sum Thinking on Race and Wealth (NY Times) – Heather McGhee

Other

Stories Feb 8th to 14th 2021

Top Stories

CT-Based Entrepreneur Creates First Black-Owned Cereal During Pandemic (NBC New York). Nic King is the founder of Proud Puffs, a vegan, gluten free, black owned cereal brand.

Facebook Launches New Platform to Highlight the Work of Black Creators, and a New Guide for Businesses (Social Media Today)

This map shows the last time each state raised its minimum wage (Business Insider). 74 states, counties, and cities have raised their minimum wage to $15 or higher.

Dealing Detroiters into legal marijuana industry won’t be easy (Detroit Free Press). The goal is to introduce recreational marijuana businesses in Detroit.

With New Digital Banking Offerings, Greenwood Aims To Close Racial Wealth Gap (Forbes)

Three ways the Biden administration can promote economic security for Black Americans (Brookings Institute)

Atlanta Beltline

The Atlanta Beltline shows just how difficult it is to make big improvements for a large number of people when a small, vocal group of citizens opposes the change. The value created is immense and the losers are small.  But getting even the small number of losers to give something up is almost impossible, especially land or money (taxes).

Beltline moves to fulfill promise of job creation with loop’s completion in southwest Atlanta (Atlanta Business Chronicle)

Atlanta BeltLine Seeks Funding to Complete Trails Before 2030 (Beltline) – PR release.

New Avenues of Funding to Finish the Project (Beltline)

Stories

Jobs / Workers / Unemployment / Gig

The Congressional Budget Office says raising the minimum wage to $15 will kill jobs. That’s not the whole truth — here’s why. (Business Insider)

Latina and Black women lost jobs in record numbers. Policies designed for all women don’t necessarily help. (Washington Post)

US jobless claims fall slightly to 793,000 with layoffs high (Associated Press)

U.S. State Jobless Claims Ease While Federal Programs Swell (Bloomberg)

This map shows the last time each state raised its minimum wage (Business Insider). 74 states, counties, and cities have raised their minimum wage to $15 or higher.

Coronavirus / Covid-19 / Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Some Black-Owned Businesses Are Turning To New Banks For Paycheck Protection Loans (NPR)

Second round of PPP promises to prioritize underserved businesses. Is it working? (News & Observer) — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes Black entrepreneurs face socioeconomic and capital funding obstacles when starting and expanding a business

Jobs / Workers / Unemployment / Gig Economy

Inequality / Systemic Racism / Economic Justice

How Can You Truly Make a Difference for Black History Month? (Entrepreneur) –

CEO of Kanarys wants to see more organizational change during Black History Month

Inequality, discrimination part of Black History (Boston Herald)

Race & Equity: Why tackling inequality is everybody’s problem (San Francisco Business Times) – A universal case to close the racial wealth gap.

Black and Latino-owned businesses facing economic peril get $1.1M in relief from Nonprofit (AMNY)

Black Business

Black Business General / Interesting Businesses Stories

Kamala Harris and Black business leaders collaborate on economic plan (The Grio)

Black-owned businesses, New Era Las Vegas create ‘safe zones’ for those in danger (News 3) — A local community activist is teaming up with Black-owned businesses across the valley to create safe zones for people who find themselves in dangerous situations.

Black businesses are still struggling. This Black S.F. leader says it’s time to change the narrative. (San Francisco Business Times)

Britain’s Minority Businesses Punch Above Their Weight But They Need Help (Forbes)

The Fall And Rise Of Black Businesses In 2020 (Forbes) — Access to capital became a roadblock for the survival of black owned businesses.

Black History Is Our History: Black Business Owners Hope Their Example Inspires Other African Americans To Become Entrepreneurs (CBS New York)

Richland woman creates a new program to help minority-owned businesses (NBC Right Now)

Black Business Specific

CT-Based Entrepreneur Creates First Black-Owned Cereal During Pandemic (NBC New York). Nic King is the founder of Proud Puffs, a vegan, gluten free, black owned cereal brand.

Collier Brothers Auto Body, among the oldest Black-owned businesses in St. Louis, to mark 75 years (STL Today)

Big Business / Corporate America

PepsiCo rebrands Aunt Jemima as Pearl Milling Company, coming June 2021 (Fox Business)

Facebook Launches New Platform to Highlight the Work of Black Creators, and a New Guide for Businesses (Social Media Today)

BET And Facebook Elevate Partner For Fireside Chat Series On Black Entrepreneurship (BET)

During Black History Month, T-Mobile Launches Programs Focused On Driving Opportunity For Students, Tech Workers And Business Owners (KXRO)

Pascale Sykes Foundation commits $1M to help expand opportunities for Black business enterprises (roi-nj.com)

Update on McDonalds: Lawsuits and changes at the company (Business Insider)

Reparations / Affirmative Action / Diversity / Inclusion

Filling The Industry Gap (Orlando Business Journal) — Three local Black executives in tourism, sports and related services share their insight on how to welcome more diversity in the workplace.

SmartSteps microlending program helps minority, women-owned businesses (WTXL)

Black-owned e-tailers are creating a ‘one-stop shop’ for BIPOC-founded beauty (Glossy)

For Black Women Entrepreneurs, Access to Resources is as Crucial as Cash (Triple Pundit) — Companies led by women of color CEOs score far less than 1 percent of all venture capital funding.

Economics

Black Economics

Four ways to help close the racial wealth gap in the U.S. (Axios). JP Morgan Chase is helping to close the racial gap by increasing the Black homeowner rate, Black businesses, and helping with financial goals.

Chandler, Mesa among cities where Black Americans fare best economically (AZ Big Media)

Black-owned metro bank helps communities of color develop financial clout, build Wealth (Fox 4)

Research shows minority businesses have lower loan approval rates compared to their white counterparts (KXXV)

Access to credit for Black and African American small businesses (Chamber

Business News) — More than one third or 35% of Black and African American business owners said they had some level of difficulty accessing credit.

Citi’s $2.5 Billion Bond Issuance Levels Up With Black-Owned Firms (Forbes)

South Africa’s black business lobby hails Tourism Equity Fund as a ‘good start’  (Africa Report) — South Africa’s Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) is a good start to advance black economic empowerment in the sector.

Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce leader Larry Ivory: ‘We have a serious

problem’ (Journal Star) — Ivory estimated less than 1% of the businesses in Peoria are owned and operated by African Americans.

Straight up Econ / The Economy

This map shows the last time each state raised its minimum wage (Business Insider). 74 states, counties, and cities have raised their minimum wage to $15 or higher.

Putting student loan forgiveness in perspective: How costly is it and who benefits? (Brookings Institute)

Industry Stories

Sports / Media / Entertainment

How Black Communities Shaped The Internet (The Verge)

Alta Adams Restaurant Kicks Off LA Clippers’ Promotion Of Local Black-Owned Businesses (Forbes)

Alcohol / Marijuana / CBD / Gambling

Dealing Detroiters into legal marijuana industry won’t be easy | Opinion (Detroit Free Press). The goal is to introduce recreational marijuana businesses in Detroit.

First local Black-owned brewery owner: ‘Set out to make really good beer’ (Dayton)

The Drink Black Movement Must Tap the Source (WineMag) — In the wine and spirits industry, Buy Black soon turned into Drink Black.

Beauty / Fashion / Retail

Sharon Chuter’s “Make It Black”: Here’s All You Need to Know (Teen Vogue) — Brands have repackaged some of their cult products in all-black.

Retailers Pledged Action on Diversity. Delivery Is Proving More Elusive (Business of Fashion)

Technology / Apps / Innovation

The Making Of The First Black-Owned Computer Brand (Forbes)

How Kerin John’s online platform is making it easier to find Black-owned businesses in Toronto (Face2Face Africa) — A Canadian entrepreneur has launched an online store and database to help people easily find Black-owned businesses in the city of Toronto.

African Americans Can Now Find Black-Owned Businesses & Events Nationwide With a Click of a Button (Cision) – Press Release

Finance / Investing / Venture Capital

  • Phyllis Newhouse, founder and CEO of Xtreme Solutions in Atlanta, will lead a $250 Million dollar SPAC, Athena Technology Acquisition Corp., making her one of the few women who serve as SPAC CEOs. (Atlanta Business Chronicle) – Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation is a fund raising tool, like an IPO, without the underlying company.  It is a bet on the owner to buy a company to run.
  • Robert F. Smith, Vista Equity Partners: How some bets on Minnesota companies paid off for investor (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
  • With New Digital Banking Offerings, Greenwood Aims To Close Racial Wealth Gap (Forbes)

Cities / Urban Planning / Local Government

The Atlanta Beltline shows just how difficult it is to make big improvements for a large number of people when a small, vocal group of citizens opposes the change. The value created is immense and the losers are small.  But getting even the small number of losers to give something up is almost impossible, especially land or money (taxes).

  • Beltline moves to fulfill promise of job creation with loop’s completion in southwest Atlanta (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
  • Atlanta BeltLine Seeks Funding to Complete Trails Before 2030 (Beltline) – PR release.
  • New Avenues of Funding to Finish the Project (Beltline)
  • How city planning broke up a Black business district (News Observer) — The effort to redevelop Rauhut Street was among countless examples of government-sanctioned efforts to relocate Black-owned businesses.

Politics / Government / State and Local

  • Three ways the Biden administration can promote economic security for Black Americans (Brookings Institute)

HR / Personnel / Human Capital

It’s not a Black woman’s job to be less threatening in the workplace. (Business Insider)

Education / Healthcare

9 HBCUs join $130M economic mobility plan to boost South (University Business). IU Kelley School of Business receives $1M donation to support minority recruitment program (Indy Star)

coalition will spread to seven cities and will help Black businesses who are struggling the most during the pandemic.

Farming / Agriculture / Food

  • Black Restaurant Challenge: How MIDA Is Giving Back To The Community (GBH) – Challenges seeks to help Black restaurants gain exposure
  • ‘One of the Best Years of My Life’: New Gainesville Black-Owned Food Businesses Flourishing (WUFT)
  • Chicago Black Restaurant Week Partners With Uber Eats (Chicago Eater)
  • Chicago Black Restaurant Week Starts Sunday (NBC Chicago)

Science / Math / Statistics / STEM

NASA hosts panel celebrating Black leaders at NASA (Click Orlando)

People, Careers and All Other

Career / Professions / Entrepreneurship / Businesses You Can Start

Celebrating Black History: Highlighting Black entrepreneurship in Mississippi (WLBT)

People / Motivation / Leadership / Success Stories / Ideas

CT-Based Entrepreneur Creates First Black-Owned Cereal During Pandemic (NBC New York)

Successful Black women in Jersey City (The Hoboken Girl) – Plus their favorite, local Black business

QueenCare To Open New Location, Seeks To Help Inspire Resurgence In Black Business Development (Seattle Medium)

Black-owned businesses: Stow engineer turns car detailing passion into secondary Income (Akron Beacon Journal) — Mobile Foamzone & Detailing is a mobile interior and exterior vehicle cleaning service that will travel to Akron and surrounding communities.

Caribbean / Africa / International

Businesses led by ethnic minorities contribute £74bn annually to UK economy (Yahoo Finance)

Ethnic minority firms excel ‘against the odds’ in the UK (Reuters) – Ethnic minority entrepreneurs perform strongly in tech, innovation and efforts to combat the coronavirus.

COCA-COLA SA TO TRANSFER AN ADDITIONAL 10% OF SHARES TO EMPLOYEES (Eyewitness News) – South Africa.  Coca-cola transfers share to meet Black ownership goals.

Workers to own 20% of Coca-Cola as part of BEE deal (MoneyWeb) – South Africa. A great model for the United States.

Travel / History

Asheville Black Wall Street: Reflecting on 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre (Citizen Times)

Opinion

Opinion: Removing the barriers to local Black economic development (Boston Business Journal)