Wherever I go, Black businesses GROW!

In 2009, before George Floyd's murder and all the protests and interest in  Buying  Black that stemmed from it, I took a stand to buy Black ONLY for an entire year.  I did it out of love for, and duty and service to, my community.  Not anger or vengeance. It was a major sacrifice.  I had no idea how hard it would be. I never thought my family would be threatened.  No grocery store. My daughters were 2 and 3, and we could not find a Black owned outlet for fresh produce, milk.  See 2 min. inspirational BET video re my sacrifice.

During my yearlong Buy Black stand, I saved every receipt, documented my journey... all the entrepreneurs, products, local outlets and major retailers, and how and where I found them.  My life is a real-life case study on the plight of Black owned businesses; the lack of  Black ownership in markets and industries grounded in Black culture;  the history, racism, and the resultant psychological and structural barriers preventing Black consumers from supporting their own.  I lived and learned so much more than my Juris Doctor or MBA  could have ever shown me. I developed a priceless expertise, an inimitable, hard-earned wisdom chronicled in my book, "Our Black Year" and the landmark study championed by Kellogg, at Northwestern University.  Now, I speak all over the world to spread the good news re historic greatness of Black owned businesses, the tough truths re inequality and injustice, teach the simple solutions, and preach economic solidarity! See my Speaker Vitae for lists of speeches, events, and hosts.