Let's just say we intend to be different. Different, beginning with what we conclude are appropriate answers to questions "about us".
We are BLACK AND PROUD, unapologetically "in love" with our people, culture, and history. We are BLACK AND PROUD and equally outraged by the irresponsible, dysfunctional, and self-defeating behaviors currently being foisted upon us by some as unavoidable products of the same people, culture, and history. We have listened to others (and will continue to do so). We have listened to ourselves (and will continue to do so). We have observed and experienced the psychosis caused by being both Black and American.
All of which led to asking ourselves two questions. First, were we only engaging in meaningless pontification for personal amusement and/or aggrandizement? And second, if we were not, what role did we then intend to play in the future of the Black community, or were our concerns purely about self?
Though we are not apolitical, we believe government(s) can only provide a framework for meeting the challenges we, as Blacks and Americans, will each face in the 21st century and beyond. Success or failure in meeting these challenges will hinge upon the cumulative effect of actions taken by each of us as individuals. We must understand the fact that "movements" are only an aggregation of individual actions. Regardless of the course of action taken, an undeniable truth stands in every path. Ever-increasing economic resources will be required. Where will those resources come from?
BizBlack.info is a direct response to what we have heard and observed. While we do not have all the answers to the challenges that face Black America, we have a few answers for ourselves. Through BizBlack.info, we have chosen to focus on contributing to the economic well-being of the Black community.
While we are unquestionably a for-profit enterprise, our effectiveness, in our minds' view, will not, and cannot, be measured by our balance sheet. Instead, we will define our success by the growth of traffic to, and patronage of, the businesses, organizations, and professionals found on this site; by the mental, spiritual and physical well-being of the families these entities serve, support, impact, and protect; by the opportunities, self-esteem, and pride resulting from a vibrant Black business community; and by the benefits each of the preceeding, in turn, engender in the Black community at large.
We take the view that all actions taken today will become a part of tomorrow's Black History, whether lauded and regaled, or not. To those who have arrived at answers different from ours and taken other pathes, we wish you well. We stand ready to assist you and your efforts whenever possible. We believe success is not a limited commodity. Your success does not come at our expense.
Finally, each of us realizes that we are the beneficiaries of the efforts and sacrifices of those, well-known and anonymous, who came before us. We are "standing on their shoulders". Some of us, at a point in our lives, had to "get back up"... with the help of others. Whatever measure of success each of us has enjoyed is as much a result of the efforts these benefactors as our own. Now, we are attempting to use our assembled experiences, knowledge and skills to pass on the "blessings" bestowed upon us.
We will be different... and we promise to do our very best to stay that way. We invite, and expect, you to hold us accountable.