TGR: Despite Trying Times …
A Special Blessing for the African American Entrepreneur
(BALTIMORE – August 9, 2008) – Each week on our Tuesday morning radio show – “Empower Hour” (10 am on WOLB 1010 AM in Baltimore – Radio One), we push the envelope as it relates to black business. Our team strives to remind black people – mostly descendants of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – that between Baltimore and Washington, DC, we garner an estimated $45 billion in annual disposable income. Nationally, that figure is estimated to be around $800 billion.
Hence, there is no reason why any black business worth its salt should be struggling – at least from a numerical perspective.
Many have noted the famous quote: “We are beggars sitting on bags of gold.”
Actually, I believe in my heart of hearts that there is a very special blessing for the African American entrepreneur who insists on success. You see, entrepreneurs are the ones who have figured out that 10, 20, 30 dollars an hour just can’t match the vision upstairs. We, as entrepreneurs, simply cannot settle for anything less than the best. It is antithetical. Sorry, but to only work for somebody else just won’t cut the mustard.
This is also true in Africa. The breadbasket of the world, few can intelligently argue against the fact that mother Africa’s people and natural resources have built the wealth of the West.
In America, the same is so. Yet, many black businesses today – in 2008 – find themselves floundering amidst a national economy where entities like Exxon are clocking record profits.
Hell, even the three last bastions of historical black economic power – the barber shop, the beautician, and the funeral director – find themselves and their industries under economic attack. Mind you, these entities have been %100 black supported. Even more, many of these businesses have taken care of us even when our money was short.
So, what do black business owners do? How do we survive when it seems so much easier to just thrown in the towel, close shop, and start pumping out that resume? And what about those bills and issues that seem to keep piling up - from gas to BG&E to meeting payroll to taxes to the mortgage?
Well, people – this entrepreneur refuses to quit - no matter what.
Come hell or high-waters, I have made a promise to keep going.
Despite the assortment of challenges, there is no turning back. Just like Harriet Tubman had that attitude when trying to free slaves, failure is not an option.
Actually, I believe in my heart of hearts that there is a very special blessing for the African American entrepreneur who insists on success. You see, entrepreneurs are the ones who have figured out that 10, 20, 30 dollars an hour just can’t match the vision upstairs. We, as entrepreneurs, simply cannot settle for anything less than the best. It is antithetical. Sorry, but to only work for somebody else just won’t cut the mustard.
From The Forum to All Staffing to dEVNIX to The Jewel Salon to gREIBO Media to The Tuxedo Zone – I am thoroughly encouraged by fellow entrepreneurs to keep it simple, keep it focused, and keep it moving.
Now, that’s not to say I won’t pick up some part-time work here or there. But, for now – I hear the calling to stay in business. I hear the ancestors saying, “Don’t stop now!”
It’s like the old story of the fly that fell into a cup of water. He kept peddling and peddling and peddling to stay afloat. And then, the cat came along and inadvertently knocked over the cup of water and the fly was free and flew away.
What God has for you …
People – we have to keep our heads up, tighten up our belts, play to our strengths, and beat our drums louder and louder. Like Mickey D’s, we have to continually market ourselves.
Whatever we do, we must not quit!
On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 from 6 to 8 pm, The HARAMBEE (Swahili for “all pull together”) Dinner Club will convene at Milton’s Grill, 336 N. Charles Street in Baltimore. The cost of admission and dinner is $20. All are welcome.
The theme for this very special event is “Surviving Trying Times.”
Our speakers include:
*Kenneth Clark, President of the Maryland-DC Minority Suppliers Development Council
*Henry Garner, Principal Consultant, BVFR & Associates
*Carla Tucker, Baltimore County Minority & Small Business Marketing Manager
*Boyd K. Rutherford, Esq., Assistant Secretary for Departmental Administration at the USDA,
*Kenny Abrams, Baltimore Ravens' PR specialist and owner of Abrams Insurance Agency
*Laura Jones, Financial specialist
*Mark Spencer, Inspector General for Prince George's County
*Attorney Jean Fugett, Esquire (and brother of the late, great Reginald F. Lewis)
*Denise Murphy, Executive Director of the Liberty Road Business Association, and keynote speaker
*Michael Williams, Registered Communications Distribution Designer and Pastor.
Further, emceeing is Shelonda Stokes, CEO of gREIBO Media.
The goal is to motivate business owners and would-be entrepreneurs to persevere until success is in hand.
So, if you are thinking of closing the doors to your business – stop, drop and roll by Milton’s on Tuesday, August 16th before you do anything. Give yourself a break!
Delivering the keynote is Michael Williams, IT guru and pastor. Personally, I believe he is going to bring a message that will touch your spirit and reinvigorate you to keep going.
My late father had some words of wisdom on his bedroom wall that might provide us all with a special bit of encouragement: Don’t pray for an easy life. Pray to be a tough person.
Remember, tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
To RSVP for this HARAMBEE Dinner Club on August 19th from 6 to 8 pm at Milton’s Grill, call Phenomenal Events at 1.443.223.8759 or email: contact@phenomenal-events.com. This event is well worth your time!
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