DETROIT – We are celebrating Black businesses all over the country for Black Business Month.
According to stats from the government, Black business owners own 3.5 million businesses nationwide and employ more than 1.2 million people in the U.S.
Black businesses in the Motor City come in many different forms. It can be a company like First Love Tours, created by Satara Holliday.
“I didn’t choose, it was more like I went through a series of events that happened, and I had no choice but to start the business,” Satara explained.
Or it can be a well-known franchise like the Subway on Woodward Avenue where Kenisha Lee is the owner.
“I worked for the local corporate office for 12 1/2 years, so This was the only thing I hadn’t mastered,” Kenisha recalled.
Brandon Reed, with the Michigan Black Business Alliance, says there are a ton of Back businesses you can support.
“We’re Excited that we’re getting the recognition on a larger scale. But for us, every month is Black Business Month. The Michigan Black Business Alliance, we have 1,600 members now. They’re spread out downtown and all over the area,” said Brandon.
Challenges do however exist for these business owners part of the historically disenfranchised. Challenges that later become motivation.
“One of the biggest obstacles we have is access to capital. It’s hard to get funding for anyone, but Black-owned businesses statically have a hard time doing it. Our mission is to close the racial wealth by supporting entrepreneurs,” Brandon added.
“We definitely do appreciate the business. We definitely ask that you bear with us and give your continued support. Don’t give up on us,” Satara added.