ESIT Racial Equity Corner
Angel Baby by Jahla Brown, DCYF ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Specialist. Illustrated re-imagining of the two cherubs featured in Raphael's iconic Sistine Madonna painting.
"So our people not only have to be re-educated to the importance of supporting black business, but the black man himself has to be made aware of the importance of going into business. And once you and I go into business, we own and operate at least the businesses in our community. What we will be doing is developing a situation wherein we will actually be able to create employment for the people in the community."
- Malcolm X, American Muslim minister & human rights activist
August is National Black Business Month, and we recognize the Black-owned businesses across the country.... Black business owners account for about 10 percent of U.S. businesses and about 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. Learn more, a brief history and how to observe.
Discover more on the Black Business Month website:
It can be difficult for any business to succeed, but Black entrepreneurs have historically faced unique challenges. Despite, buy-black campaigns, grants, and other resources, 8 out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months. So why do Black entrepreneurs continue to lag behind whites and other minority groups in terms of market share, and what will it take to keep them in business? (watch time 18:36):
We've read stats showing that Blacks have a buying power of $1.2 Trillion dollars and that Black women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other group, but is this enough to change the economic inequalities that plague Black neighborhoods? Mandy Bowman discusses how it's time to focus on creating and supporting Black businesses to build long term/generational wealth.
Hear Mandy Bowman's TEDxDover talk (watch time 7:55):
A short video on the History of African American Entrepreneurs in America by Dr. Len Cooper and Latasha Cooper. Both are successful Executive Marketing Directors at PHP Agency out of Riverside, CA (watch time 5:43):
Below are resources and opportunities to learn more and engage with your kids:
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The History of Black Business in America: Capitalism, Race, Entrepreneurship to 1865 by Juliet E.K. Walker: Despite almost four centuries of black independent self-help enterprises, the agency of African Americans in attempting to forge their own economic liberation through business activities and entrepreneurship has remained noticeably absent from the historical record. Juliet Walker's award-winning book is the only source that provides a detailed study of the continuity, diversity, and multiplicity of independent self-help economic activities among African Americans. (More details here. Reading age: teens, adults.)
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Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day by parents and actors Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice: New York Times Best Seller, comes a picture book filled with beautiful, inspiring affirmations reminding kiddos of their infinite wonder. Perfect for children of any age! I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough. Every child, no matter their age, needs to know how loved they are and, more importantly, should love themselves. In this gorgeously illustrated book of affirmations, young readers are told how cherished, deserving, and gifted they are. (Reading age: 2 - 6 years.)
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Mo's Bows: A Young Person's Guide to Start-Up Success: Measure, Cut, Stitch Your Way to a Great Business by Moziah Bridges, Tramica Morris, foreword by Daymond John: A Young Person's Guide to Starting Your Own Business Written by a Successful Kidpreneur! Running a successful business can be hard for anyone, but seventeen-year-old Moziah Bridges has become a pro at it. His company, Mo's Bow's, is what today's "kidpreneurs" dream of achieving--a successful business selling a product that one loves and is passionate about. Mo shares with young business-minded readers his BOWS of Business: Believe in yourself, take the Opportunity to give back, work hard/study hard, and have Support from friends and family. (Reading age: 11 - 14 years.)
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Kyng & Kyren's Generational Wealth Building Activity Book (Kyng & Kyren's Generational Wealth Building Activity Books for Kids) by Kyren Gibson, illustrated by Corey Wright: It’s never too early, or too late, to learn and apply knowledge! And that is exactly what this amazing book will show you. You may have noticed how schools teach a lot of different things, but somehow, they miss certain important aspects of adult life, such as personal finances, how to build wealth and general financial literacy. That is where this book comes in, as this book will teach your child everything that was mentioned, and more.
By buying this book, you’re investing in your child’s future, and giving them a springboard from which they can be successful and prosper in this modern, but often complicated world. (Reading age: 6 years and up.)
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