August is National Black Business Month, sometimes called Buy Black Month. It was founded in August 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan as a way to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African-American businesses.”
By 2018 the number of Black businesses nationwide had grown by 164 percent.
By 2020, in Chicago, there were 1,875 Black-owned businesses, accounting for a little over three percent of all businesses. Then came the looting, following the George Floyd protests. Black businesses, with windows broken, stock depleted, had to close their doors – most temporarily, some permanently. While they were still hurting, the pandemic came along, forcing many Black businesses to close. Harold’s Chicken Shack, on 87th and State, which had become a staple in Chicago’s Chatham community, was forced to close its doors permanently. We had to close the Quarry temporarily because of the pandemic, but we were able to reopen Jazz earlier this year. Now, with the Delta variant surging and the city seeming to be headed for another lockdown, we’re once again making your health our priority by canceling Jazz for the remainder of August. We’re excited about this month’s issue, starting with our exclusive interview with Michael Strautmanis, Chief Engagement Officer of the Obama Foundation. Michael shares some interesting details about the work the Obama Foundation is doing in Chicago and what the Obama Presidential Center is going to be like, with a much-needed play area for Chicago’s children.
As you turn the pages of this month’s issue, you’ll find a lot of emphasis on our children and their safety during these very violent days, where we hear of youth and even babies being senselessly shot down on a weekly basis.
Kwabena Sakidi Jijaga Rasuli sees the direct correlation between Chicago’s Black on Black crime and the gangsta rap that seems to have infiltrated and sabotaged Hip Hop music, and he along with colleagues Dwight Taylor, Bernard Creamer, Terry Delk and others formed the Clear the Airwaves Project to try to get radio stations to stop playing the violent and disrespectful rap. Kwabena shares the journey he’s gone through, trying to get gangsta rap off the air.
Sister Diane Latiker of Englewood is helping children in another way. Her Kids On the Block program shows that there is hope for our children with the right programs, and she also tells of the dangers associated with trying to positively intervene into the lives of children in gang-ridden neighborhoods, such as Englewood.
Buying Black means buying Black books, and there are two new ones on the market for your reading pleasure.
Dr. Harold Pate’s book, simply entitled Education, consists of two volumes within one book. In this interesting and educational book, Dr. Pates makes the distinction between “education” and “schooling” in simple and understandable terms. However the book’s main emphasis is on the importance of recognizing our ancestors.
Most of us did not know that Sasha Daltonn, jazz singer best known for “Sasha Sings Dinah” actually founded the Chicago Gospel Festival under the administration of the late Mayor Harold Washington. But what you didn’t know, you will soon find out after reading Unplugged, a thoroughly entertaining and informational book, with touches of Sasha’s well-known humor throughout.
Also, in this issue you’ll get to meet Kristina Wynne, a dynamic young lady whose Wynner’s Club LLC business development consulting company has helped so many with a dream of entrepreneurship become full-time business owners.
You’ll find our magazine in businesses, cultural institutions, even Aldermen’s offices, and you can also access the full issue at http://southsidedrivemag.com. Please visit and share!
