How come there is an EXTREME Lack of Support for "Black Owned" Businesses?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 10:37:27 -0500

How come we don't see more support for Black Owned Businesses?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 10:39 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 10:39:08 -0500

Defining something as Black Owned or White Owned is inherently racist. American Owned is perfectly acceptable.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 5 at 2015 10:41 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 10:41:10 -0500

This is not meant to sound condescending but:

1) Does it matter who owns the business?
2) Shouldn't a business be viable on it's merits of lack thereof?
3) I don't care who owns the business generally. I care about the goods, services, and prices a business provides. Not the color of the skin of the person who owns it or runs it. Maybe I'm alone in that philosophy though.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 5 at 2015 10:44 AM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 10:44:27 -0500

Probably due to a lack of awareness, as in my case for example.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 5 at 2015 11:08 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:08:37 -0500

Because race is not a big thing in our lives? I support ALL small businesses wherever I can do so.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 11:12 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:12:50 -0500

Frankly I have very little knowledge of and I care even less who owns a business.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 11:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:37:08 -0500

Is there? Do you have any reference? I've never seen any/nor heard of any. If it's a business I need to use I don't care if the owners are black/white/yellow/or even pink with purple polka dots. As long as the product/service are good I'm happy.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 5 at 2015 1:08 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:08:21 -0500

Three words... Location, location, location...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 1:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:13:42 -0500

Why are we still highlighting someone's skin color? I will patronize any business as long as they provide a good product and service at a reasonable price.

This may anger some people but it proves my point. Personally, I DO NOT patronize ANY business that advertises it's "Black" owned, or "Woman" owned, or "Minority" owned, or anything else owned. Why? Because the business is NOT interested in creating an excellent product or service for society but is looking to be patronized based on the owners skin color, gender, or ethnicity. It is WRONG. If you still don't get it, read my first paragraph.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 2:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:04:51 -0500

I think that is something that has to do with the area in which the business is in or the potential customer base. I don't think there is anything wrong claiming that. My wife is half Creole. Creoles from Louisiana have an unique culture. So when someone says they have Creole Food and they are not Creole we won't go there. I don't think this is racist by any means. But if the sign say Creole Owned I would I might try it out. This is the same for me. I am Portuguese. If I could I would frequent Portuguese establishments if there were any where I live at.

But what you so often find is a lack of community or a false sense of community in areas. If someone claimed a Black Owned business, good for them. We claim to have Veteran Owned businesses. I don't see the difference really. I see it as a sense of pride. Without getting to far into the weeds in some of the predominantly African American areas in cities you don't find much opportunites. I would say the same about the predominantly white areas in the Tennessee where they are coal mines.

Regardless of their ethnic group or what they want to be identified as they should be able to claim what they want. Now if they overboard and frown on another group then it turns into something completely different.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 5 at 2015 3:28 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:28:57 -0500

What is the implication of such a sign? If I saw a sign, "White owned business.", I would not patronize the establishment. Location is very important also.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 5 at 2015 3:45 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:45:24 -0500

I would think many "black owned" businesses would belong to small business (assuming they are small) organizations and would get some exposure through them. Not all "black owned" businesses are small.

A few years ago I met with a company called WWT headquartered/near in St Louis. The gentleman that owned the company was black. He was also highly successful and his company is the largest black owned business in the country. Why, because his company is very good at what they do. His name is David Steward and I spent some time with him and caught a Cardinals game in their suite. He is a very humble, capable and a spiritual man. He also has a presence when he enters a room, you know who he is. He also wrote a book called "Doing Business by the Good Book". I have a signed copy of his book as well. It is a great story about a guy that did it the right way.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Dec 5 at 2015 6:39 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 18:39:38 -0500

i cant stand the term "black owned business"
I feel that if we treat blacks like they need all this help...we are sorta telling them that they are incompetent.
I don't know of any black owned businesses...I bank at Wells Fargo, I buy stuff at WalMart, I pump gas at a Shell, I am typing on a Lenovo computer...about to go to a pizza joint and watch some college football, not sure who owns it, don't care.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Dec 5 at 2015 8:12 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 20:12:59 -0500

How many people ask what color the owner of a business is before they shop or accept services? I bet none.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Dec 5 at 2015 10:10 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 22:10:41 -0500

I don't know. But if I could have invested with that woman who made cosmetics for women of color. I would have. Now she corners that market.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Dec 6 at 2015 9:41 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 21:41:42 -0500

I don't know what color the owners of practically any business that I patronize are, and I don't care. I give my business to the business that gives me the best service. Giving business to a business because of the color of the owner's skin is just as racist as withholding business from a business because of the color of the owner's skin.

Response by SMSgt Nina Swanson made Dec 9 at 2015 2:38 PM

SMSgt Nina Swanson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:38:58 -0500

If your a Black owned business you need to teach people how to become small business owners with ever opportunity you have each person that comes my way and wants to learn how I teach.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 2:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:44:45 -0500

There is plenty of support for black owned businesses. The US govt has a special program, Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program, that is dedicated 100% to supporting minority owned businesses.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Dec 11 at 2015 8:42 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:42:53 -0500

Why would anyone care what color skin a business owner has?

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Dec 11 at 2015 8:43 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:43:35 -0500

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/flashback-morgan-freeman-ending-racism-stop-talking-about-it

FLASHBACK: Morgan Freeman on Ending Racism: ‘Stop Talking About It’

(CNSNews.com) – Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, who endorsed Barack Obama for president in 2008, said that having a Black History Month was “ridiculous” and that the best way to end racism today is to “stop talking about it.”

Response by MSG Wally Carmichael made Dec 11 at 2015 7:45 PM

MSG Wally Carmichael — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 19:45:23 -0500

I focus on Veteran Owned Business and help all veterans and family members start their own business in my chosen industry, regardless of race.

As others have said, there are programs, resources and classes available for minorities, women and veterans to start their own business. Labeling my business as Veteran Owned has been beneficial. However, I suspect labeling a business as Mexican owned, Black owned, White owned, Asian owned etc. would tell me they prefer doing business with those people exclusively. But that's just me.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 11 at 2015 9:10 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 21:10:02 -0500

With a few exceptions I have no idea who owns the businesses that I do business with. I try to use small businesses as much as possible and a number of them in my area are minority owned but they belong to all sorts of people. As long as they give good service I don't care who owns them.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 11:01 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 23:01:35 -0500

Like almost everyone else here I really don't care what the race of the business owner is. I choose where I do business for practical rather than racist criteria.

If I saw a "Black owned business" sign I would have two thoughts:
1. The quality of the product or service does not measure up so the owner is using race as a primary selling point.
2. The owner is a racist who believes the black race is superior and I would be considered and treated as inferior if I went in that business.

How would you feel about a "White owned business" sign? Would that make you feel welcome?

I think you don't see support for advertising black owned businesses is because business owners understand that advertising racial bias can be bad for business. When I think of these signs I think of them as a relic from the '70s. I would like to think we have moved past that but things seem to be moving in the wrong direction lately.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 15 at 2015 3:25 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:25:46 -0500

I admit to being confused. Just what are you asking?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Dec 15 at 2015 5:24 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:24:43 -0500

Big flaw in the argument. I see what you mean, but how can you expect support for a black owned business from others when blacks don't even support them? There are many good minority owned businesses out there (BET, JET, EBONY and a few small defense contracting companies in VA), but when you get down to some, do I want to go to the strip club, a club, stand and drink at the local liquor store, and many others that aren't the best to even quote. Now in DC going to some of the alley markets, you get some GOOD food at some GOOD prices. If it wasn't that I dislike DC so much, I'd go to them on the regular. But we have to support them, before folks are willing to take a chance on them. Ben's Chilli Bowl was better 30 years ago according to my family who remembers it before. They say it was a victim of it's own success. Almost 40 years in this area and I still haven't had it yet.

Response by SGT Brian Richardson made Dec 29 at 2015 8:08 AM

SGT Brian Richardson — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 08:08:10 -0500

It's good to see so many positive comments. As a business owner, I do actually like to know who the owner of a place I frequent is. Not to know their skin color, but to learn about them. Business ownership has always been of interest to me.

There are fewer (good) resources for military entrepreneurs compared to job placement organizations. So I lean toward helping vetrepreneurs. It's tough to own a business...but I love it and encourage people to do their due diligence when looking into business ownership. The more positive support Americans and Vets can get in that area, the better.

Response by LCpl William Amos made Jan 12 at 2016 11:00 AM

LCpl William Amos — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:00:05 -0500

I started VeteransList.US to support Veteran Owned business regardless of race, color, creed, etc. but I do know there are some support functions similar to Veterans List for black owned businesses. I guess the onus is on the businesses to use this support to grow it, or come up with a better option.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jan 13 at 2016 12:39 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:39:20 -0500

Probably more than 99% of the time, I have NO IDEA who owns a business. If I knew, I wouldn't care. It's all about the best product or service for the money. Capitalism is ruthless and rewarding. Ruthless to those who can't compete on their value proposition. Rewarding to those who break out a new process or technology or idea, which provides more value at a lower cost.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 1:49 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:49:49 -0500

The vast majority of people, myself included, do not care who owns a business. If I go to a restaurant and the food is good, reasonably priced, and they provide good service, I will go back. If I do not like the food, service, or price, I will not go back. Provide the best goods and services at a reasonable price, and you will attract customers.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 13 at 2016 4:22 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:22:16 -0500

I have never heard of a black owned business. I patron businesses for what they can do for me and my family. Sometimes I ask if they are veteran owned if I am extremely curious...that means more to me than anything. Race is not an issue unless you make it one. If I saw a sign that said Black owned, Chinese owned, Native American owned White Owned etc, I would probably not patron there because to me that owner is trying to make a statement that doesn't need to be made...a business is a business. Quality customer service, prompt response, fair pricing and delivery are what I believe most people are concerned with.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 8:36 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:36:23 -0500

Why does there need to be a separate "support"for black owned business? You are race baiting

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 12:42 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 00:42:38 -0500

As many have said here, I'd rather seen "American Owned," "Veteran Owned," or "Locally Owned" as identifiers to the businesses I support.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 1:16 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 01:16:16 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin Is this a serious post? What does one's color have to do with supporting a business? I could understand if you were asking about "Veteran" owned business, as we would be supporting our own, but "black" owned?? How about "American" owned?

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Jan 14 at 2016 9:21 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 09:21:53 -0500

What business? Where? Who? What kind of support? Personally, I have no idea who owns most of the businesses I frequent unless they tell me. Either way, I could care less who owns it, much less their race or origin. You may not have the intention of race baiting here but it sure does seem like it. What answer are you looking for? What do you expect someone who is not black to say? Do you accept my answer? Would you be inclined to believe it could be the same general opinion held by most non-black people?

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Jan 14 at 2016 9:32 AM

1LT Aaron Barr — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 09:32:29 -0500

I would generally think that the race of the owner should not be important but sadly, it seems like it is in this country today. Wasn't aware that there was a problem of support for black owned businesses but I'd posit the following as reasons for a lack of support if it exists. My guess is that its a combination of location and average income. Blacks generally have less income than whites so there's less of an economic base to support them. Moreover, I'm guessing most black-owned businesses are in majority black neighborhoods so there's less, if any white people who have more money to spend there to patronize them.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 2 at 2016 1:29 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 01:29:45 -0400

Never cared about their race. Can they deliver what I need, when I need it, with decent quality, service and price? I don't need any more information than that.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2022 6:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 18:12:07 -0400

Not enough know about them or care to do so. I'm doing my part.
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/businesses-improving-the-black-community
https://jtspratley.com/blog/black-owned-compression-shorts-businesses-champ-boxers-and-drawlz
https://jtspratley.com/blog/black-owned-tech-businesses
https://jtspratley.com/blog/black-owned-workout-shoes-businesses-enda-and-negash83

Let me know if you have any experience with any others.

For those curious about why I care about this, read the blog I've shared here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/complex-layers-of-racism

Businesses Improving the Black Community | RallyPoint

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2022 7:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 19:42:26 -0400

I'm not even sure why the you even posted this in here because you ever contributed to the conversation other than agreeing with everything other people said. I don't know if you're aware Griffin but the median wealth of white families is about 12 times that of black families. I suspect that the reason most of your respondents answer the way they (i.e. never heard of it or not aware) is that it's usually announced to appeal to black customers or those that want to grow wealth in the Black community just as announcing veteran owned is to elicit support from those that support veterans. I'm sure both types of businesses will take green from anyone though.