What Is National Black Business Month
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By Ebony JJ Curry, Michigan Chronicle
The celebration not only underscores the entrepreneurial spirit but also highlights economic empowerment and resilience within the Black community.
August marks a pivotal time in the United States, as the nation observes National Black Business Month. This significant celebration not only underscores the entrepreneurial spirit but also highlights economic empowerment and resilience within the Black community. Over the years, this observance has grown in importance, drawing attention to the longstanding efforts to uplift and support Black-owned businesses.
The Visionaries Behind the Movement for a National Black Business Month
National Black Business Month owes its existence to the tenacity and vision of Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton. These two remarkable entrepreneurs felt the compelling need to draw attention to the economic strides made by Black-owned businesses in the U.S.
In a conversation with Black Enterprise, Templeton once remarked, “Our research indicates that there should be 2.5 million African Americans in business, and we only have half that many. If you look at the Black and White unemployment disparity, the essential idea is, the only way we’re going to get the level of employment we need is to support Black businesses. As of April, the black unemployment rate was 16.5%; the white rate was 9.0%.”
Jordan, a respected engineer from California, and Templeton, a seasoned journalist and historian, were driven by a common mission. They perceived the often overlooked role Black entrepreneurs have played in the nation’s economic tapestry.
Discover how their idea became a reality.
Many people don’t know that Reconstruction was a time when many Black Americans started businesses.
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[…] Here’s what I found: National Black Business Month was co‑founded in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr.. Their mission was (and still is) to shine a bright light on the systemic barriers Black entrepreneurs face and to champion the undeniable contributions we make to our communities and the broader economy. Translation: this month isn’t a trendy hashtag. It’s a call to action. America’s Black Holocaust Museum+2Black Enterprise+2 […]