Black business owners own 3.5 million businesses nationwide and employ more than 1.2 million people in the U.S.

Books can be magical - they can take you to far-off places, back in time, to fantasy lands, or even into the future. They can teach you something about yourself, or the world, and one thing that can make books even more powerful is if you can see yourself reflected in the pages. That’s what one local book lover wanted to see more of - African Americans in literature, so she started her own bookstore.

Bold flavors from Africa and the Caribbean with stewed meats so tender they fall off the bone - those are the landmarks of Godwin Ihentuge’s Yum Village. We head to there to Dine in the D!

Archer Corporate Services in Belleville were already a supplier to General Motors, but early in the pandemic, the automaker called up and requested their help in manufacturing ventilators. They cleared out their lobby and went to work seven-days-a-week.

The James Group is awarding entrepreneurs and students up to a total of $100,000 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary, legacy and spirit of The James Group Founder, John A. James.

The James Group is awarding entrepreneurs and students up to a total of $100,000 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary, legacy and spirit of The James Group Founder, John A. James.

Woman’s love of bridal magazines turns into successful Southfield boutiquePublished: August 30, 2020, 11:35 pmNamed after her daughters, Ashley and Alexandria’s Bridal Boutique is tucked away on Franklin Road in Southfield. While it wasn’t her first career choice, bridal design was something she always knew she loved.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. Vinnie Wilson McClure opened up her dream bridal boutique back in 2006. Named after her daughters, Ashley and Alexandrias Bridal Boutique is tucked away on Franklin Road in Southfield. Since I was a teenager getting off Seven Mile bus from Cass Tech and stopping at the drugs store, Id stop there with all my money and Id by bridal magazines, McClure said. She started visiting bridal shows all over the world to gather and collect dresses from different designers. Maybe overseas.More information can be found on Ashley and Alexandrias Bridal Boutiques official website here.

From weddings to major events, these Black business owners do it all. So anything that you can think of, I can probably create it.At just 27 years old, this Black business owner has experienced prejudice -- not just because of her age, but also when it comes to funding. As a Black business owner, as a Black person, we have to work harder, Howard-Combs said. When you love what you do, youre going to make it work. Youre going to fight and youre going to make it work.Click the links below if youd like to contact 12NV Events or Designed by Chalcee.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. Regina Donald, with Trans-Style Interiors, LLC, formed her unique style early on. From her childhood bedroom to her first apartment, she turned her passion for interior design into a successful West Bloomfield Township business. She wanted to change that and started networking with other interior designers who were Black women. She works with you to design a workspace that flows with your own sense of style.Donald wants to make sure the next generation of Black interior designers reach new heights. Thats just the best part of my life.More information on Trans-Style Interiors, LLC can be found on its official Facebook page here.

“My father and his partner actually developed the entire block, the physical block,” explains Stephanie. She called the development a “labor of love” for her family, so they called the restaurant “The Block” to commemorate that. They are very proud to be Black developers and like to use their success to help promote other Black-owned businesses. That is a part of their Black Wines and Spirits Happy Hour, along with the McBride Sisters Estate Wine “Black Girl Magic Rose,” Uncle Nearest Whiskey, and Anteel Tequila. All Black brands are $5, and Happy Hour is weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

DETROIT – The landscaping outside of The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood senior living facility on McDougall Street in Detroit was done by a Black-owned business. “Landscaping is the first impression that people get when they pull up to your facility,” explained Dexter Erves. HD Landscaping, a full services landscaping company, does it all. Dexter explained the challenges they’ve faced being a Black-owned business. “I was fortunate enough to do some work for the federal government as a GSA contractor,” Dexter explained.

“If you want to end the school to prison pipeline, you have to educate,” Banks said. Her business isn’t about profiting off of people who’ve been arrested, but educating them on the judicial system so they can navigate it successfully. “My heart hurts when I put these people in a jail and they don’t know where to go, they don’t know what lawyers to hire, they don’t know anything about the system,” Banks said. “So, what happened?”Banks created a program called Sticky Situations, a program to educate others on how the judicial system deals with financial literacy, behavioral issues, racism and more. “You’re brilliant enough to figure out a scheme on credit card fraud, but you don’t know how to own a credit card,” Banks said.

DETROIT – Most would consider handwriting a lost art, but Andrea Williams was interested in calligraphy and writing since she was a little girl. She has a business is in the Fisher Building, which she says is a work of art in of itself, and business has never been busier. “People are more sending more cards,” Williams said. She went from making cards for her friends as a hobby to founding Paisley Paper Co. in 2016. More information on the Paisley Paper Co. can be found on its official website here or its official Facebook page here.

DETROIT – Rhonda Morrison is an expert in the art of shoe repair. She’s been at House of Morrisons Shoe Repair, located on Livernois Avenue, near Seven Mile Road, for 37 years. She’s been around the trade longer than that if you count all the time she spent watching her father, a shoe-shiner turned cobbler who started House of Morrisons Shoe Repair in 1954. Morrison’s father made sure she understood all the tricks of the trade. She said she’s looking forward to starting some training and letting some other people have a shoe shop in town.

DETROIT – Detroit Dough, a Black-owned business, is continuing to grow and give back to the community despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Inspired by a New York-based edible cookie dough company, Detroit Dough came to the city when owner Autumn Kyles decided Detroit needed something similar. She opened the edible cookie dough company, which serves five different flavors without the eggs and raw flour, making it safe to eat. “We have five flavors -- chocolate chip, brownie, sugar, peanut butter and no chip, which is chocolate chip without the chocolate chips,” Kyles said. “It’s one of my favorites.”Through Detroit Dough, Kyle has been able to fulfill her dream of giving back.

DETROIT A Detroit mom of four has spent years helping vulnerable teen parents in the city. Rodnesha Ross of the Youth Community Agency says she was determined to give back after so many others helped her achieve success. Her story inspired Ross to start a non-profit called Youth Community Agency. Youth Community Agency helps teen moms complete their GED, connects them to local businesses for internships and helps build skills that can prepare them for college or the workforce. And if there is any young, vulnerable teen mom in Detroit, Ross is ready to help.

He started selling frames from his apartment in 1994 before opening up shop 20 years ago on Livernois Avenue, near the Lodge. “I love to see the expressions on their face when they see their piece framed,” Vaughn said. The name of his shop -- Eric’s I’ve Been Framed -- came to him while pursuing a career he wasn’t excited about. “He came back in about two weeks with business cards and said, ‘You’re in business!’” Vaughn said. He has advice for the next generation of Black business owners trying to turn their dreams into a reality.

DETROIT – First Independence Bank, founded in May of 1970, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. And a lot of community activists, business leaders, got together and went through the process of getting a bank charter and formed First Independence Bank,” said Dimitrius Hutcherson, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Technology Officer at First Independence Bank. “We initially were targeting and wanted to be here to service, African American, African Americans and African American home business owners, but the bank grew and evolved. We are a full service bank with products to serve all of the Metro Detroit community,” he added. They want to see our bank in the community, and they want to do business with us.

DETROIT – For Black Owned Business Month, Local 4 caught up with two women who have made a name for themselves in the beauty industry with some big-named clientele. “This is not just makeup for me, Evrod,” LaShawn said. “It’s tough,” LaShawn said. “Cuticle Couture is the fashion,” Williams said. Both women have overcome the obstacles and are using their success stories to encourage other future black business owners this month and beyond.

DETROIT In the past few weeks weve heard a lot of talk about supporting Black-owned businesses especially during the month of August. Local 4s Evrod Cassimy sat down with several Black businesses owners and they explained why its so important now more than ever. In the Black community often times I think we dont really push entrepreneurship the way that we should, said Detroit District 5 Councilwoman Mary Sheffield. Mary Sheffield is an advocate for supporting Black owned businesses. These business owners believe in supporting Black-owned business so much theyre even putting their money where their mouth is.