Keepin' the Money in the 'Hood

by Isaac Little

A short time ago I read an article in the Chicago Tribune about a Black couple who purposely set out to do what some of us have said we’d do more of, patronize Black owned businesses. During 2009, as part of an effort they dubbed the “Empowerment Experiment,” Oak Park residents John and Maggie Anderson both with post-graduate degrees from Ivy League schools, set out to spend their discretionary income exclusively with Black owned businesses.

As with many well intentioned endeavors, John and Maggie found the job wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be. Maggie confessed trading only with Black owned businesses was challenging. Not only was finding these businesses a challenge, an even greater obstacle was finding businesses close to home. For instance, the nearest Black owned grocery store was fourteen miles away and eighteen miles separated them from the nearest Black owned health food store.

Despite the challenges they encountered, the couple is hopeful that what they did for a year will spark a sympathetic reaction in others. The Anderson’s noted that African-Americans pump billions of dollars into the economy, but little of that circulates in the neighborhoods of color. They contend that if more African-Americans were to direct more of their discretionary dollars into their own communities, impoverished neighborhoods could be revitalized resulting in less crime and drug abuse. There would be more jobs and stronger families.

The Andersons estimated they spent nearly $70 thousand dollars in 2009 with Black owned businesses during their “Empowerment Experiment.” Impressed? Me too.

Impressed enough to try it out myself but on a smaller scale--a much smaller scale, mind you. Without really thinking about it, I’ve already begun the experiment. When I have taste for coffee or a mid-day sweet I head for Bronzeville Coffee & Tea, my favorite coffee house. Not only do they happen to be Black owned, but is the best coffee house I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. Bar none.

On a Sunday morning, if we’re in the mood for good food and people watching, you may find me and the wife at Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles.

What if each one of us made it a point to trade with Black owned businesses as part of our spending cycle? Do we have to make the commitment the Andersons made? No. But each of us could adopt a Black business or two to trade with. Individually our spending my not rival what the Andersons contributed to the community, but collectively…..

Source: Gregory, Ted. “Adding up a family’s year buying Black.” Chicago Tribune. January 11, 2010

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