By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Family, food, friends, and football! I wish you the best this holiday season. May you enjoy the wonders of this festive time of the year.
I appreciate your readership! As the publisher of OhioMBE, I am thankful for the opportunity to provide news and information to Ohio’s small businesses. I take this role seriously. I believe OhioMBE and its activities are leaving a positive footprint in the economic development and growth of our state. The goal of OhioMBE is to provide Black business owners with the tools and resources to compete and thrive.
Economic empowerment is vital to the Black community. Self-sufficiency is key. We need to keep Black dollars in the Black community. Black businesses need to support each other. As Black business owners, we desperately need to hire Black people and mentor Black youth. We need to buy from each other. We need to partner on projects. I will continue to say that there is power in Black dollars and votes. Let’s collectively flex that power in 2020.
Reports and polls say the economy is booming. Are Black businesses benefiting? Every year I issue a challenge to OhioMBE readers. Please consider spending at least $50 with Black-owned businesses during the holiday shopping season. How are you doing? Take a picture at the business or of your purchase and post it on our Facebook page. Use the hashtag #shopblack2019.
As we enter 2020, how will you help demonstrate that Black businesses matter and are important?
Just my thoughts…rwb
