As Black Business Month draws to an end, it’s a good time to be reminded how important it is to support Black businesses throughout the year, not just during the month of August.
Black businesses in Memphis are plentiful, yet there aren’t as many success ones as there should be. Some of the enterprises are doing very well, but many are barely surviving from day to day. It is estimated that there are roughly 10,600 to 40,000 Black-owned businesses in the Memphis area. The actual number depends on whether you count all self-employed sole proprietors or incorporated businesses with paid staff. The Black Business Association of Memphis and other local advocacy groups broadly estimate up to 40,000 total informal and formal Black businesses. These
enterprises range from restaurants to retail as well as service providers.
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022 there were 194,585 businesses in the U.S. with majority Black or African American ownership. The gross revenue of Black-owned firms soared 66 percent from an estimated $127.9 billion in 2017 to $211.8 billion in 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available.
Health care and social assistance accounted for 26 percent of Black businesses. Other sectors with Black businesses were professional, scientific and technical services (14 percent of all Black businesses); transportation and warehousing ( 9 percent); administrative, support, and waste management and remediation services (8 percent); retail trade (7 percent), and accommodation and food services (7 percent).
Imagine how these businesses would thrive if we all tried to support them? That was the motivation that inspired the establishment of National Black Business Month in August 2004. The goal was to encourage the Black community to support African American-owned enterprises.
Frederick E. Jordan Sr., an engineer and business owner, had struggled to secure money to launch his business in 1961. That experience made him knowledgeable of the challenges confronting Black entrepreneurs in general. Jordan worked with John William Templeton, a historian who was president and executive editor of the scholarly publishing company eAccess Corp. Their purpose in designating August as National Black Business Month was to drive the “policy agenda affecting African American businesses and empowering Black business owners across the country.”
While the observance has expanded, this goal is not emphasized as much and as broadly as it should be.
That’s why Paula Anderson Coaching and Consulting firm and Alpha Memphis Education Foundation partnered to host an event in Whitehaven to recognize and celebrate local Black-owned businesses. Anderson said founders Jordan and Templeton were “two visionary entrepreneurs who recognized the need to spotlight the economic contributions of Black-owned enterprises in the United States.”
The Whitehaven event Anderson co-hosted provided educational information on financial statements, communication strategy, general contracting, intellectual property, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Anderson’s co-host, Daryl Lewis, vice chairman of the Alpha Memphis Education Foundation, viewed the Black Business Month event as far more than a celebration. “It was a strategic moment for Memphis’ economic future,” he said. “In a city where Black entrepreneurs form a powerful but often under-supported backbone in our local economy, creating intentional space for connection, education and collaboration is not optional. It’s essential.”
Lewis emphasized that Memphis has one of the highest concentrations of Black-owned businesses in the country, but too many of those businesses operate without the networks, capital access, and institutional support needed. “By convening entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and community partners under one roof, we helped close that gap,” he added.
Anderson emphasized that Black-owned businesses have been negatively impacted by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion restrictions over the past year.
After graduating from high school in 1968, Memphian Harvey Denton found a job at a warehouse before working for a roofing contractor. In 1974, he started his own business, Quality Roofing Company, which “has been going for 52 years.” Denton’s son Brandon says he grew up “learning the trade as well as the practice of successfully managing the business, employees and subcontractors.” Brandon has been working with his father since he graduated from high school in 2001.
Harvey Denton said the key to his success is always being fair and honest with customers. “And treating each client’s home as if it were ‘my’ own, no matter how big or small a project may be. Always taking pride in the service you provide. And always being kind, patient and understanding with your clients.”
Denton added that historical and economic barriers often hinder Black businesses, “factors such as venture capital, lack of contract awards and lack of professional connections,” as well as unfounded doubts about the credibility of Black business owners.
Regardless, Denton says he tries to persevere through barriers and chart his course in a positive direction. He also advises others on how they can be successful in business and in life no matter what obstacles may come in your path.
Another Black business thriving in Memphis is Tate Computer Systems, founded by President and CEO Sylvester Tate more than 34 years ago. The business initially repaired typewriters, calculators and cash registers before it grew to include MLGW, Kroger, University of Memphis, and UT Medical Billing. The company evolved into servicing custom computers. Today, Tate Computer Systems offers computer repair, IT staffing, remote backup, network management, and hardware solutions.
Tate Computer Systems now has million-dollar clients and 35 employees, with son Sylvester Tate II serving as COO and son Ricky Tate as service lead for Apple at Tate service business on Hacks Cross Road in East Memphis. The company services Windows and MAC computers and is a Zebra Authorized Service Provider. Sylvester Tate says the key to his success is “consistency.”
Of course, there are many well-known, Black-owned Memphis restaurants, including The Four Way, Neely’s Interstate Barbecue, and Alcenia’s Restaurant, as well as Makeda’s Cookies and Frost and Graze. And then there are the Hattiloo Theatre in Midtown and DeMoir Books & Things.
Yes, there are thousands of Black-owned Memphis businesses that offer various products and services. We all should make an effort to support them.
Lynn Norment, a former reporter and editor at Ebony Magazine who lives in Memphis, is a columnist for The Commercial Appeal.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Black Businesses need our Support throughout the year | Opinion
