Kearney Launches Initiative to Support Black-owned Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Apr 30, 2020

CINCINNATI -- Today, Cincinnati City Councilmember Jan-Michele Kearney announced the launch of a citywide public campaign called #CincyBuyBlackThursdays, calling on all Cincinnatians to shop from and support Black-owned businesses that are impacted by COVID-19.

The Confetti Room is one of many Black-owned businesses in Cincinnati

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALISON SUN | CINCINNATI MAGAZINE

Data shows that the Black population in America is being impacted by the COVID-19 crisis at the highest rates — not just in terms of health, but economically as well. Many small and minority-owned businesses did not receive their funds as part of the federal stimulus package, have fewer resources for securing investors, and face significant barriers in securing the capital needed to keep their businesses alive. That’s why Kearney is calling on all people to support Black-owned businesses. The next time you support a Black-owned business on a Thursday, mention them on social media and use #CincyBuyBlackThursdays.

As part of this campaign, Kearney re-launched the Black Business Directory - an online directory originally created by former city councilmember Tamaya Dennard that helps the public get connected with Black-owned businesses and professionals in the Cincinnati area. Business owners can sign up to have their business name, contact, website, and a short description of their business listed in the Black Business Directory at no charge.

It’s Kearney’s goal to help Black businesses – licensed or not, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified or not – to be more visible to the public. All Black-owned businesses, including those not licensed or MBE certified, are invited to submit their information to the directory. If a business is not currently MBE-certified but would like to be, they can visit the City of Cincinnati Business Enterprise Certification page for more information about how to get certified. Businesses currently listed include professional services, childcare, therapists, beauty salons, photographers, law firms, bakeries, boutiques, and more.

By all means, Kearney encourages people to support all local businesses. But the decision to highlight Black-owned businesses was reached because the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing economic disparities that Black-owned businesses are faced with. This is a campaign that calls on all of Cincinnati to come together in support of our city’s small business owners so they not only have the means to merely survive this crisis, but also to thrive.

Visit the new Black Business Directory website to learn more about #CincyBuyBlackThursdays and how to sign up to have your businesses listed. There is no charge to search for or list a business on the directory.

Many thanks to the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, The Collective Empowerment Group, The Center for Closing the Health Gap, and P&G Cincinnati Music Festival for serving as partners to help advance this initiative.