National Effort to Support Black-Owned Businesses This Saturday – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. This weekend brings “Dig In Day”.
It is part of a national movement to support black-owned restaurants that have been badly hit during the pandemic.
Big Rays BBQ in Allen credits its food, service, and customers for surviving the pandemic.
“We just stuck with it and kept pushing and the community supported us, the community gathered around us and we recovered,” said Jonathan Cotton, co-owner of Big Ray’s BBQ.
While most small businesses don’t survive a decade, 8 in 10 black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months and the pandemic has made the situation worse.
Black owners closed their doors more than twice as fast as their white counterparts. Businesses fell 41%.
Minorities often have difficulty obtaining credit, are not always in high traffic areas, and lack marketing tools to do business with.
To help, Pepsi Co. plans to generate at least $ 100 million in revenue for Black-owned restaurants.
Chef JJ Johnson, a “Dig In Day” ambassador, spoke to NBC 5 to discuss the importance of the movement helping small business owners.
The ‘Dig In Day’ Saturday encourages everyone to search for Black owned restaurants through partner apps, dig in and upload their receipts.
“Without getting too emotional … it’s incredible,” said attorney Taylor Redmond.
Redmond is committed to empowering black-owned businesses in DFW on their own by using Instagram and TikTok to gain support.
“That’s what normal people can do. You can of course support the businesses you go to by spending your money, but share the word! I’ve got so many comments and messages and I’ve met business owners and they’re so grateful, ”said Redmond.
“When you see people who don’t necessarily look like you come and support you, it makes you feel good and it just helps us keep moving and moving forward,” said Cotton.
Both stress, hashtags, and efforts like “Dig In Day” are not about turning down other business owners.
“It just says, ‘Hey, despite all the downsides, despite all the problems and hurdles you may have to overcome, we were still able to get this going and provide service to the people,'” Cotton said.
“These are small business owners in your community. Black, white or something and I’ll do my best to make sure companies that are hard working and maybe have a slightly tougher road ahead of them can clear something on their way to make sure.” they endure, “said Redmond.
You can learn more about the national Dig In movement by clicking here.
[ad_1]
