Preceding Juneteenth, the New York City Department of Small Businesses Services (SBS) unveiled an online business directory listing over 3,300 Black-owned businesses across the city. The SBS’s Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC) spearheaded the endeavor.

While Black people comprise 22% of the New York City population, they only own 2% of the city’s small businesses. Supporters of the website called the Shop Black initiative positive for the community, entrepreneurs, and the general economy. The launch of the directory also coincided with the historic Black holiday, Juneteenth, which celebrates the liberation of slavery for all people across the United States. 

“When we support our Black-owned small businesses, we support the entire city,” said

Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services Kevin D. Kim. “The Shop Black NYC directory serves to boost Black entrepreneurship by encouraging New Yorkers and tourists alike to shop Black and shop local, which in turn allows our neighborhoods to grow and prosper as new businesses take root.”

SBS created BE NYC in 2019 to address racial disparities between entrepreneurs and generate more Black-owned businesses. The organization obtains this goal by developing Black entrepreneurs in emerging industries, connecting with community members, and giving access to equitable financing.

Before the inception of this director, there was no central list of Black-owned businesses in New York City outside of the state’s certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Kenneth Ebie, BE NYC’s Executive Director & Chief Development Officer, was tasked with creating the comprehensive list of companies.

He said this initiative will help Black-owned businesses generate revenue through an online presence. BE NYC will add businesses to the directory through social media promotions and its relationships with the borough chambers of commerce, as well as from its engagement with communities at events and activities across the city.

“The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as it announces that it has reached an outstanding milestone of having 300,000-plus businesses to be listed on its Shop Black NYC Directory,” said President of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Lloyd Williams. “Congratulations to the amazing SBS Commissioner Kevin Kim and his outstanding associate, Kenneth Ebie.”

Growing Black businesses is an arduous and necessary task to reach equity in one of the largest economies in the world. More than one in five New Yorkers are, yet they still lack the necessary funds, education, and experience to survive in this market, according to BE NYC’s 2020 report.

The report found that while the majority of Black-owned businesses started with a passion for business ownership, many vital factors challenged success. Access to capital, guidance, customer outreach, and affordable workspaces were the critical limitations to starting their businesses. With the help of BE NYC and its community partners, the initiative aims to demystify the process and help entrepreneurs follow their passions.

“Knowledge is power,” Ebie said. “With Shop Black NYC, we are empowering all New Yorkers with access to information on over 3,300 local Black-owned local businesses that they can support during this important holiday and throughout the year. Equally importantly, listed businesses will benefit from a direct pipeline of valuable information and business resources available from SBS, supporting their ability to survive, thrive and continue to enrich the fabric of our great City.”

The post NYC launches Black-owned business directory appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

The stands at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn were packed for Sunday afternoon’s New York Liberty game against the Phoenix Mercury. No doubt, people were eager to see Britney Griner’s first game in the city since being released from a Russian prison last December in a prisoner swap after being detained in the country for 10 months. Griner was arrested on February 17 and found to be in possession of vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia. The 32-year-old from Houston, Texas was subsquently sentenced to nine years imprisonment in a penal colony. 

Back in comfortable surroundings, Griner shared warm hugs with Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who previously coached the Mercury, and her Olympic teammate Breanna Stewart. Griner sat out the game due to a sore hip. Also sidelined for the Mercury was long-time Mercury star Diana Taurasi, one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, who was nursing a sore hamstring.

RELATED: Starting the season strongly, the Liberty show championship potential

“It was definitely great seeing BG; it was my first time seeing her since she’s gotten back. So, it was a little emotional seeing her, but also I’m really proud of the way she’s kind of handling everything on and off the court,” noted Stewart. “She’s an inspiration to really everybody, and I’m just happy she’s home safe and back with us in the WNBA,” said Stewart.

The Liberty prevailed over the Mercury 89–71 to improve to 7-3. When the WNBA schedule began on Tuesday night, the Liberty had the third best record in the 12-team league behind the 10-1 Las Vegas Aces and 9-3 Connecticut Sun. The Mercury were last at 2-8. Stewart continued her MVP-worthy season with 28 points, seven assists and 14 rebounds. Jonquel Jones, the 2021 WNBA MVP with the Sun, had her first double-double with New York, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds.

All 10 active Liberty players saw minutes—Sabrina Ionescu did not play due to a hamstring issue. “I thought they’ve been doing well in practice, so they should be rewarded for that,” said Brondello of her bench. “They competed well. We’re going to need them as we move forward.” The game also marked the return to the roster of Brooklyn native Epiphanny Prince. She was re-signed by the team to a hardship contract late last week after starting the season with the Liberty then being released  

Marine Johannès continues to show impressive play, contributing 10 points, three assists and three steals. “I made some mistakes, but I think I tried to not think about the last action too much and I just played confident,” said Johannès. Stewart praised Johannès’ ability to see the floor and find the open player.

The Liberty is on the road for a game tomorrow against the Atlanta Dream and then return to Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon to take on the Washington Mystics.

The post Liberty continue to remain near the top of the WNBA standings appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here