1. iZania.com

Founded by former IBM employee named Roger Nelson, this site was created by him to be a “virtual Black community” that embraces  strong African principles, and aims to unite the global Black Family via group economics.

2. HBCU Money’s 2015 Black-Owned Directory of Banks

Perhaps one of the most sought after Black-owned businesses when it comes to Black Society, this directory will serve as a guide for your future Black banking needs. Let the dollar circulate…this time in the hands of Black bankers.

3. We Buy Black

This site is prime location for practical products (and cool miscellaneous items alike) that can be utilized by Black consumers on an everyday basis.

4. Melanoid Nation

To some, this entry might come off as being a shameless plug, but to those in the know, our organization has promoted Black economic empowerment since our inception in 2014. From featured stories on up-and-coming businesses, to young aspiring entrepreneurs, we will continue championing the resurgence of Black businesses (as well as Black entrepreneurs).

As listed above, these are just a few more ways that you as the Black customer can keep your money in Black hands as much as possible by supporting Black owned businesses. Stay tuned for future stories that will continue to show you who and what to support so long as it leads to the uplifting of Black businesses.

B. Clark

In fact, the lion’s share of Black people’s ability to combat the systemic evils of racism/white supremacy are deeply rooted in building a thriving and respectable economic base. In doing so, we in Black Society are not only enabling ourselves to experience individual financial  success, but we also position ourselves to do business with other like-minded and thorough Black business owners, thus building a thriving Black Community in the process..reminiscent of the grandiose vision of Black economic empowerment originally spearheaded by Black leaders such as the Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

One man lives by the economic-centered principles of Garvey–a man by the name of Delxino Wilson de Briano. In August of 1994, Delxino and his wife Debbie Wilson de Briano founded TAG TEAM Marketing in Atlanta, GA. Even though the company’s title includes the word “Marketing”, there is no need for alarm–which is justifiable based on consumers’ long-held suspicions with companies that operate with such a moniker.

According to TAG TEAM Marketing’s website,TAG TEAM Marketing is a “Black-owned and operated marketing company that specializes in marketing the products and services of Black-owned businesses to Black consumers.” In a nutshell, this means that if you are a Black entrepreneur with a quality product or service to offer prospective customers, the the platform that TAG TEAM Marketing has provided is the perfect place for you to “set up shop” online.

As you can see by following this link, TAG TEAM Marketing’s online store offers a plethora of products that are Black owned, operated, and manufactured. From cleaning supplies to financial services, this virtual store for all things Black appears to be well on its way to becoming a one-stop shop for Blacks who possess the good intentions of spending their hard earned Black dollars with other Melanoid people.

For more on the founders of TAG TEAM Marketing, follow this link.

B. Clark

Gwen Jimmere is the CEO and Founder of NATURALICIOUS, a natural hair care company that refers to themselves as a “beauty innovation company”, according to the company’s website. After what started out as a passion project, Ms. Jimmere has grown her company exponentially, with her products now on the shelves of major retailers such as Whole Foods Markets throughout the U.S., Trinidad, Indonesia, and she’s looking to have distribution in South Africa. If that wasn’t enough, she owns the patent on her collection of products.

With a background in marketing and communications, she wanted to create something that “to ensure ownership, as well as a legacy for my company” she said in a recent interview that she had with Black Enterprise. In addition to being the CEO of her own company, she also co-owns Pitch Proof, a program where she coaches coaches and trains small business owners on how to prepare for, enter and win business pitch competitions, as well as how to successfully attract equity investment opportunities. She also she consults entrepreneurs on business strategy, marketing, advertising and distribution.

Gwen Jimmere has taken her destiny into her own hands by taking the initiative to pursue ownership of a collection of products that she has created.

B. Clark

Follow this link to read item #2 of this story which further explains the notary business.

This is just one of the purposes of becoming a notary public professional, and in Black Society–like the rest of society–there is a big demand for these professionals to serve on many levels of government, business, law, etc. Andre Hatchett has built a notary service from the ground up which has proven to be a huge asset to countless people. Mr. Hatchett, a longtime Black entrepreneur and philanthropist from New York, has decided to share the knowledge that he gained in his 10+ years of notary experience to form an online notary school that will give you that jumpstart to launch a successful notary career of your own.

With economic volatility, a shaky job market, and the public’s ever-increasing need for legal/documentation services and representation, a career in the notary business would be a good choice as it would be an alternative to the 9-to-5 grind.

To register in Hatchett’s notary school, follow this link.

For more about Andre Hatchett’s notary service, please view this short video clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPBTQcwsZU8

B. Clark

Surprisingly, there have been many of Black Society’s notable figures who have taken an opposing stance on reparations for the descendants of Melanoid people who served as slaves to the wealthy white slave owners. Concurrently, white supremacists–and suspected white supremacists alike–are vehemently against Black America’s case for reparations as compensation for our racial group’s subjugation in this country.

In spite of whether detractors of reparations exist or not, the fact of the matter is that slavery in America was an oppressive and demonic institution that has traumatized the descendants of its immediate victims to this very day. That being stated, Those who are pro-reparations often debate what we in Black America should receive as stipulations of what is due to us. Here are a few suggestions, listed below:

1. Counseling/Therapy

As previously mentioned, slavery “did a number” on us in Black Society, and because of the system of racism/white supremacy that exists to this very day, our overall morale is severely wounded, despite recent attempts to recover from the lingering effects of systematic white supremacy. Because of this, counselors of our sorts should be at our disposal to aid us in our attempts to recoup our historic greatness as a people.

2. Money

This is hands down the most popular–and obvious–proposed provision of reparations due to Black America. With non-Black groups in America such as the Japanese already having received financial compensation for their own collective mistreatment, reparations in the form of cash payments could definitely serve as a direct path to empowerment for Black America.

3. Real Estate

The supposed “American Dream” includes home/land ownership. With groups such as the Native American Indians having received land allotments in the form of reservations which include wealth-generating businesses such as casinos and hotels, Melanoid people in this country deserve similar compensation. With gentrification posing as one of the primary factors for Melanoid people being shut out of neighborhoods and cities across the country, the right to own our own shares of real estate shouldn’t be in question. After all, the same people who cultivated the land of America  (Black people working under free slave labor) are entitled to the land as well.

4. Instant Credit Repair

Although the United States as a corporate entity recently saw a reduction in its credit rating, its individual citizens are still encouraged–and in many cases required–to maintain excellent credit. For Black America, credit repair for those in dire need of it would enable us to do anything from buying a home to starting our own businesses, thus putting us back in the race to be competitive with our counterparts in the dominant American society.

5. Business Start-up Initiatives

In order for Melanoid people to protect ourselves from a recently heightened level of racism/white supremacy here in the States, it has been widely recognized and agreed that building an economic base isn’t a luxury, it is necessary. With other racial groups setting up shop with their businesses in the States going through little or no red tape involved, every other group has a leg up on Black America when it comes to creating the necessary businesses that constitute a viable economy in their respective communities.

6. True Rehabilitation of Blacks Returning to Society 

Melanoid people in this country are by far the most affected group of people who suffer from mass incarceration. There are an overwhelming number of Blacks who are contrite about their former lives on the “other side of the law”, and seek to start new chapters in their lives as productive and beneficial members to society upon their return from the prisons. It is wrongfully assumed that the countless institutions across the country “rehabilitate” criminals, when we in fact know this to be false. The numerous Brothers and Sisters who return home from incarceration often find themselves entrapped in the same vicious cycle that saw them get “locked up” before. The solution? Provide sustainable options for these unfortunate victims of mass-incarceration in the form of an extensive (and accredited) college educations, an abundance of trade programs, job placement services, in addition to a host of other legitimate incentives for true rehabilitation….BEFORE their release from prison. This properly prepares them for society, and enables them to avoid the pitfalls that polluted the environments they were brought up in.

7. Protection From Race Soldiers

Since the long-standing problem of law enforcement officials murdering Melanoid people en masse has garnered global exposure, it is only fitting that policies be implemented to specifically eliminate the unjust killings of innocent Melanoid people. If animals such as the bald eagle are protected by law, then it is only fitting that human beings in danger of being eradicated–such as Melanoid people in this country–be protected as well.

The items listed above are a few scenarios of Melanoid receiving our well-deserved reparation compensation as a result of centuries of subjugation under such an unjust and murderous system of racism/white supremacy. A consensus has been reached in Black Society that we were by far the most mistreated group of people to ever reach the shores of the U.S. To further state our claim, this country was built off of our blood, sweat, tears, and intellect. It’s time to pay up, America.

 B. Clark

Who are the previously mentioned business owners, you might ask? First, let’s start with the business. Taharka Bros. is a Black-owned business that serves ice cream to Baltimore from a truck that is just as colorful as the personalities of the young Melanoid men who operate the business. Lead by one of the co-founders, Devon Brown, the company creates and sells ice cream with the premise of serving “as a vessel for the continuous flow of conversations in support of cultural understanding, economic and social justice, civic involvement, and actions of uplift for the powerless”, according tits mission statement on its website.

In summer of 2013, a short documentary was made to highlight the Taharka Brothers’ campaign to raise the capital to finance their company, via their Kickstarter page. Celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Shaquille O’Neal, and Russell Simmons either publicly endorsed their campaign, or they donated to finance it. You can view that film in the video below.

https://vimeo.com/127608534

Perhaps greater than the fact that this group of young Melanoid men have worked collectively to make Taharka Bros. a great success throughout the Baltimore area, is the heartfelt significance of the company’s name. The dessert company received its name in honor of Taharka McCoy, a 25-year-old Melanoid man who served as a mentor to the youth in Baltimore. McCoy lost his life in 2002, after being gunned down. The staff of Taharka Bros. seek to erase the wrongs of not only systematic white supremacy in their local communty, but also society’s assumption that Black males–especially college aged Black males–indulge in counterproductive behavior.

Now that’s food for thought.

B. Clark

Detroit, Mich. – Who says that Melanoid people don’t support their own? Those naysayers should swing over to the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Ellsworth Street and see what our people are flocking to on the weekends.

Detroit native Bruce Muhammad, along with his wife, Lakeisha, have been operating a produce outlet, called Eat 2 Live Produce, with their two daughters since mid-May. Like many urban cities across the country, much of the harvest is grown and sold by non-Melanoid families. The local markets don’t have fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance either. Most rely on a Kroger or Meijer (Michigan retail store) to purchase their groceries for the family.

Muhammad saw an entrepreneurial opportunity to serve his community after receiving insight from local farmers.

“They were telling me how there’s not enough retail outlets to sell their crops to,” he said. “That immediately rung a bell in my head that something can and be should be about the health and economic situation here in Detroit.” After a ten-year career as a Mortgage Broker, Muhammad quit and decided to go into business for himself. Since their opening on Mother’s Day weekend, the response from the West Detroit area has been phenomenal. “Once the stand went up, people in the community came out to support us and they kept on coming,” Muhammad said. “We’re pushing to close theirs mouths from McDonald’s and open their minds to eating healthy.”

His vision was to bring life to the community. Ironically, he set up the stand directly across the street from a medical marijuana dispensary and a meat market.

“We’re so immune to death around here,” Muhammad said. “And we resort to the quick fixes when we don’t deal with the real problem, which is our diets.” The subliminal message was simple to those around him – your key to health is in the food. “As a nation, we spend an average of $92 Billion on fast food every year,” Muhammad said. “From that, our people remain sick and the pharmaceutical company are sitting rich based off our bad habits.”

Muhammad and his wife, who met during Saviour’s Day weekend last year, understand that this mission is bigger than themselves.

After Lakeisha moved from Tulsa, Okla., they wasted no time formulating a plan to help employ some of Detroit’s residence with the expense of people eating healthy. “With her being from the place of Black Wall Street and Detroit being home of the Nation of Islam, the energy between us was definitely astounding,” Muhammad said. The stand may be small now, but the family is looking to expand. Their goal is to move into a building in Highland Park, Mich., by the fall season. As the business expands to two locations, the family will be looking for help with delivery, customer assistance and other possible positions that are needed.

Along with fresh fruits and vegetables, Eat 2 Live Produce has featured item as Ginger Lemonade, jams and jellies, Bean Pie and Curry Chicken (at least that was for the featured meal for that day). The stand is open Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Muhammad was asked about the myth about Melanoid people supporting their own and he responded, “come see us,” with a smile.

]]> https://www.melanoidnation.org/a-produce-oasis-in-a-fast-food-desert/feed/ 88 https://www.melanoidnation.org/shaun-c-robinson-is-making-power-moves/ https://www.melanoidnation.org/shaun-c-robinson-is-making-power-moves/#respond Thu, 28 May 2015 19:35:51 +0000 http://melanoidnation.org/?p=1820 As the old saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” To add to that, the actual application of knowledge is power, and one young Melanoid man is showing us that he is a living testament of this principle.

Shaun C. Robinson is the Founder, CEO & President of Strong College Students, a franchise that employs hard-working college students from local colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida. “My goal was to change the negative and poor perception of movers common in this industry. I also wanted to give college students the opportunity for employment that allowed them to balance the rigors of every day college life.” Mr. Robinson states.

The work that Robinson has put in has not gone unnoticed. He’s become the youngest Black franchisor in the United States, and has received a steadily growing list of awards that you can see here.

What’s great about the franchise is that college students are given employment, and it serves a wide array of clients, especially residential and office-based clients. One extension of the franchise, Dorm Room Boxes, operates as an independent entity of the Strong College Students brand, yet it provides equally great service to clients having their moving needs addressed.

For more information about Strong College Students and their services go to http://strongcollegestudents.com/

If you are interested in becoming a Strong College Students franchise owner and entrepreneur visit http://strongfranchise.com/

by B. Clark

As its website reads, Freedom Paper Company LLC is committed to providing quality paper products to its commercial clients and vendors. Not only does the company offer paper products, but it also offers an impressive variety of industrial products that are considered necessities in order to make our lives a little easier, as the catalog shows here.

In addition to the company’s mission to serve with quality and environmentally-friendly products, the Baltimore-based company is doing another great deed for the community. If customers purchase any Freedom Brand Bathroom Tissue package of 48 rolls or more, then the company will donate 10% from those purchases to the family of Mr. Freddie Gray, the young and unarmed Melanoid man who was senselessly  murdered last month by cops in Baltimore.

Let us stand by our words and good intentions of Melanoid Empowerment, and be sure to show continual support for the Freedom Paper Company.

by B. Clark