Buy Black Movement to Create 2 million new jobs by 2017
It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. Thus, in an era where a sizable number of black people throughout the United States are under or unemployed—an innovative group of young, creative, and energetic Africans have emerged to help empower the Black community in America.
Powered by ‘Buy Black Economics,’ this new movement is associated with the hash tags #2MillionJobs and #EachAndEveryFriday. This initiative aims to eliminate unemployment by the year 2017, by encouraging Black consumers to spend their dollars with Black owned business.
According to organizers, “Buy Black Economics’ community initiatives involve the locating and allocation of limited resources (e.g., land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship) in a way that has a positive effect on the level of business activity, sustainable employment, economic stimulus, and fiscal solvency within predominantly black communities. Therefore, Buy Black Economics is strongly committed to the creation of wealth in which our communities benefit.”
The creator of this movement Linda P. Smith states, “We are the bridge between ideas and execution, and we are singularly focused upon growing our own economy. Each and every Friday, we are asking people to spend $20 with local and/or online black businesses.”
BBNomics is meaningful to me because when I needed seed money to start my transportation business, at the age of 28, my dreams came true when family pitched together to help me reach my goal. Even when others doubted, my dreams were BIGGER than ever and I was so certain that I was going to make it happen. I then became one of only woman owned transportation company to offer transportation during the 2010 Super Bowl, in Miami Gardens, FL. This was only accomplished with support of friends and family who believed in me said Smith.
She adds, “Statistics show that we currently have slightly over two million black businesses in America, and 1.9 million unemployed African American workers. If we consciously spend with these businesses for 24 to 48 months, then we will collectively generate enough capital to hire all of the people within our community who are currently unemployed.”
The kickoff for the 2 Million Jobs initiative starts on Feb. 1.
Joining this movement is easy! Follow the three steps below to get involved:
- Like Buy Black Economics’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bbeconomics
- Encourage businesses and/or community members take the pledge at 2millionjobs.com
- Share this campaign by tagging two of your friends
One of the inaugural members of the 2 Million Jobs Movement remarks, “Since starting ‘Each and Every Friday,’ I feel uncomfortable spending money anywhere else. In fact, I sincerely believe that if 45 million of us (i.e., Black people) commit to intentionally spending $20 with black businesses—merely once a week—we will reduce unemployment drastically in our communities….”
Interested community members and/or business owners can sign up for a list of businesses near you to support on the movement’s website, or by sending a text at #2MillionJobs to 913.4BUYBLK on your mobile device.
