Economics
SF Celebrates Black Business Month
On the eve of August’s 11th annual National Black Business Month, co-founders Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and John William Templeton discussed how to increase economic growth in Black neighborhoods at a meeting of San Francisco Travel’s Diversity Advisory Council.
Jordan noted the “31 Ways 31 Days” strategy that urges all to visit at least one Black business each day of August.
Since they started National Black Business Month in 2004, it has been featured in such media as Black Enterprise Magazine.
Templeton reported the approval of San Francisco Supervisor Malia Cohen’s resolution endorsing the 400-site African-American Freedom Trail, the first on the West Coast, and the August launch of limousine and bus tours of the trail.
Service will be provided by Bay Limousine, a 20-year-old, Bayview-based, woman-owned firm.
Bay Limousine owner Lea Sweet is a third generation San Franciscan and cousin of the late Otis Redding. Sweet’s father remembers how thrilled Redding was to see the Pacific Ocean, during a week performing at the Fillmore Auditorium when he wrote “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”
A familiarization tour of the African-American Freedom Trail will take place Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. Tickets are available at www.blackbusinessmonth.com.
To familiarize Muni bus and train operators with the trail, an exhibition on the African-American Freedom Trail is currently on display in the offices of Transport Workers Union 250-A, which represents 2,000 drivers.
The exhibition is co -sponsored by San Francisco Travel, the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel and Holiday Inn Civic Center plus Park SFO and H.C.A. and Associates, C.P.A.
The co-founders of National Black Business Month encourage local hospitality professionals to increase their cultural competence by attending the eighth annual Preserving California Black Heritage Conference on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Ingleside Presbyterian Church. Registration is available at www.blackbusinessmonth.com
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Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024
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Business
Special Interview: Rep. Barbara Lee Discusses Kamala Harris’ Plan for Black Men
On Oct. 16, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Harris-Walz campaign surrogate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who shared more insights on Harris’ agenda and the importance of securing the Black Male vote. “She has said very clearly that she wants to earn the vote of everyone. And that means earning the vote of Black men,” said Lee of Harris. “She understands the systemic and historic challenges that Black men have. You haven’ t heard of a presidential candidate coming up with a concrete actual plan and policy agenda.” The agenda includes five focus areas based on insights she gleaned from hosting discussions with Black men during her Economic Opportunity Tour.
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Last week, the Kamala Harris campaign released its Opportunity Agenda for Black Men.
On Oct. 16, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Harris-Walz campaign surrogate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who shared more insights on Harris’ agenda and the importance of securing the Black Male vote.
“She has said very clearly that she wants to earn the vote of everyone. And that means earning the vote of Black men,” said Lee of Harris. “She understands the systemic and historic challenges that Black men have. You haven’ t heard of a presidential candidate coming up with a concrete actual plan and policy agenda.”
The agenda includes five focus areas based on insights she gleaned from hosting discussions with Black men during her Economic Opportunity Tour:
- Provide 1 million loans that are fully forgivable to Black entrepreneurs and others disadvantaged groups to start businesses.
- Champion education, training, and mentorship programs that help Black men get good-paying jobs in high-demand industries It will also develop more accessible pathways for Black men to become teachers.
- Support a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and other digital assets so Black men who invest in and own these assets are protected.
- Launch a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men that addresses sickle cell disease, diabetes, mental health, prostate cancer, and other health challenges that disproportionately impact them.
- Legalize recreational marijuana and creating opportunities for Black Americans to succeed in this new industry.
“[Vice President Harris] knows that Black men have long felt that too often their voice in our political process has gone unheard and that there is so much untapped ambition and leadership within the Black male community,” the language in the agenda states. “Black men and boys deserve a president who will provide the opportunity to unleash this talent and potential by removing historic barriers to wealth creation, education, employment, earnings, health, and improving the criminal justice system.”
Diving into Harris’ agenda, Lee says, reminded her of her own record of supporting Black men over the years as an elected official. In the 90’s, she established the first California Commission on African American Males through which she pressured the state to address urgent economic, health and social challenges specific to Black men.
“No group of people are a monolithic group of people,” said Lee She’ s not taking any vote for granted. I’ve known her over three decades and I believe she is being herself. She’ s authentic,” Lee added.
Each of the 5 key points addressed in the Harris Campaign’s agenda, Lee says, has additional clauses that can potentially help Black men and their families thrive. This includes lowering rent; up to $25,000 in downpayment help for first time homebuyers; and cutting taxes for Black men in lower-wage jobs by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit maximum to $1,500.
“I think the messages is one of empowerment for Black men — regardless of whether they’ re a blue-collar worker, if they’ re not working, if they’ re in business, if they’ re an entrepreneur, whatever background or whatever they’re doing or experiencing life. I think the authenticity of their experience can only be articulated through them,” said Lee.
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Oakland Post: Week of October 23 – 29, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 23 – 29, 2024
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