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If this is the first that you’ve heard about National Black Business Month then, that’s a wonderful thing!  That means after nine years, we’re finally getting it right.

 

National Black Business Month is being celebrated, today, August 1^st through the end of the month.  According to BlackMoney.com, “National Black Business Month encourages consumers and institutions to visit at least one black owned business on each of the 31 days of August.”

 

On January 31, 2012, in a written proclamation by the sitting President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, February 2012 was announced as “National African American History Month, 2012” with the official theme being “Black Women in American Culture and History.” As Black Americans are given recognition for their contributions to the building of America, culturally and historically, Black business owners should to be recognized for being the backbone of the community and the lifeline of our people, through trying times. 

 

We’ve all got a little catching up to do, if we are to be on the same playing field with Mr. John William Templeton, the editor of BlackMoney.com, who co- founded (with Mr. Frederick E. Jordan, Sr.) and has been celebrating National Black Business Month since 2004.

 

We are being asked to seek out Black businesses and give them our support each day of the month -- 31 Ways, 31 Days.

 

Chicago’s Black Business Network is delighted to invite you, our members, friends and associates to get on broad with a conscious effort to reach out and give support in any way possible, particularly to small business owners on the CBBN website.  And, support does not always come in the form of a financial handout or purchase, although, realistically, that is what pays the bills.

 

Here are a few suggestions and we’re positive that you can come up with hundreds of others that will make this month a prosperous one for all:

 

·         Visit the website or blog of a CBBN member and leave a comment or suggestion;

·         Review the product or services of a business and come up with a way to collaborate on a future joint-venture, no matter how small, that will create a win-win situation for both parties;

·         Sometimes the cash flow is a little low, so think about what you can barter or exchange for services.   After all, folks have been bartering for thousands of years; and 

·         Last, but not least, not by any means, visit some of the small businesses in your community.  Don’t drive pass them.  Walk up to the door.  Go in and say “Hello.”  If you don’t buy anything, that day, look around and maybe you will buy something another day.  It would be great, if you could make even a small purchase, if not, why don’t you leave them with a word of encouragement.  At times, that is more valuable than money.

 

Up in Harlem, Mr. Templeton is planning a great celebration for the month of August, including recognition of the “50 Top Names in Black Food.” 

 

Black America, we expect you to spread the word, so that next year and all year, we make it Black Business Month.

 

 

Sonja Cassandra Perdue is the founder of Chicago’s Black Business Network, “Black Businesses Connecting Across Chicago and The World” since 2008, Executive Producer of Chicago’s Black Business Radio Network and Author of “Black America:  Asking Ourselves The Tough Questions – Book One 2010” now available on Amazon.com.  Listen for special broadcasts throughout the month of August in recognition of National Black Business Month.