“31 Ways 31 Days”: Celebrating National Black Business Month
August 1st marked the beginning of the 14th annual National Black Business Month (NBBM), an observance that highlights the importance of African-American businesses to the Black community as well as our national economy. This celebration also generates awareness for the policy issues affecting African-American entrepreneurship. Economic empowerment is one of The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.’s focus areas, and you will hear more about our efforts in this arena at our 40th Annual Symposium next month.
Data from the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau indicates that there are approximately 2.6 million Black businesses in the United States, employing nearly one million employees and generating annual revenues of roughly $187 billion. National Black Business Month Co-founders Frederick E. Jordan, President, F.E. Jordan & Associates – a prominent engineering and construction management firm – and John William Templeton, President, Venturata Economic Development Corp., believe that supporting African-American businesses is key to lowering the rate of Black unemployment. During August 2017, individuals, institutions and businesses are encouraged to visit at least one Black business per day. According to Templeton and Jordan, patronizing African-American-owned establishments, including restaurants, manufacturers, theaters attorneys, doctors, auto dealers, newspapers, book publishers, breweries, farmers and churches, could result in “more than 40,000 additional jobs during the month and as many as 450,000 if the patterns are continued over the course of a year.” To learn more about NBBM’s “31 Ways 31 Days” to stimulate spending with Black-owned companies and its strategy for increasing economic growth, visit http://blackbusinessmonth.com/.
OTHER NEWS
FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH
This year, as our hearts fill with pride while we celebrate Black History Month, let us also remember to focus on our heart health. And not just on Valentines Day – the entire month of February is American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and certain minority groups face a greater risk than others. Deaths from heart disease are higher in Black Americans than in White Americans and other ethnic groups, and heart disease develops at a younger age in African Americans.
But, heart disease can often be prevented when people know their risks, make healthy choices and manage their medical conditions. So this month, learn the signs and symptoms and the steps you can take to make a difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones at https://www.goredforwomen.org
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
According to The American Cancer Society, “Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test for screening. But the death rate has not changed much over the last 15 years.” And several studies show that a disproportionate number of women that die each year from cervical cancer are Black women.
The American Cancer Society also stresses the importance of regular screening for the disease, emphasizing that, “Screening tests offer the best chance to have cervical cancer found early when successful treatment is likely.
I AM THE CHANGE FORUMS
The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is taking its “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” town hall on the road! Introduced with support from AARP at its 41st Annual Symposium in September 2018, the forum encourages participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, educational and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities.
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