August is Black Business Month. Find some local ones to learn about.

Did you know August is National Black Business Month?

I first heard of it last year while attending the National Association of Black Journalists in Birmingham, Ala.

Nationally, Black-owned businesses contribute to the economy, entrepreneurship, diversity as well as innovation.

And according to the Center for Family and Community Engagement, Black-owned businesses employ over 920,000 people across the United States and generate more than $150 billion in sales each year, but only account for 7% of businesses in the country, even though Black Americans make up more than 13% of the population.

Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed plenty of businesses popping up in and around Saginaw, many of them Black-owned.

Stroll through the SVRC Marketplace, the unofficial hub for minority-owned companies, and you’ll see a small sample of it.

Black Business Month is an opportunity for the community to learn more about local businesses.

In Saginaw, the CMURC co-working space on the second floor of the SVRC Marketplace provides office space for around 20 Black-owned businesses.

This includes the Randle family, who employs around 150 people through three businesses: PRH Construction, I Heart Mac & Cheese and the recently opened Bloom & Blaze.

This month, while you are out in Saginaw, find a Black-owned business to support or learn more about.

There are some great ones around. You might find a new product or service to add to your favorites.