During the August 7, 2024 meeting of the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners, Gwen Myers of District 3, issued a proclamation recognizing local organizations supporting black-owned businesses, as well as black entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. Among the organizations honored: our Tampa Bay Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator and the Minority Enterprise Development Corporation. "Approximately ten percent of all U.S. businesses and 30% of all minority-owned U.S. businesses are black owned, serving industries including construction, defense and security, engineering, financial services, healthcare hospitality, information technology and professional services," said Commissioner Gwen Myers when presenting the proclamation.
The proclamation was part of the county's commemoration of National Black Business Month in August. Representing the Chamber during the ceremony were Brian Butler, CEO of Vistra Communications and 2023 Chairman of the Board of the Tampa Bay Chamber, and Avril Stinson, Vice President of Economic Inclusion & Leadership Programs at the Chamber. Asked about the moment at the podium, Butler said "I was honored to stand with the Minority Enterprise Development Corporation and receive the Hillsborough County Black Business Month Proclamation from Commissioner Gwen Myers on behalf of the many Black-owned businesses in our community. These are businesses of all sizes representing a wide range of industries and they work daily to enhance our regional economic viability."
Unlike Black History Month which falls in February, National Black Business Month occurs in August and dates back 20 years. Historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick Jordan Sr. were the moving forces behind the designation, their efforts fueled by the desire to "drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African-American owned businesses" in 2004.
Click here to see the full proclamation.