On February 20th, Commissioner Marleine Bastien of Miami-Dade County, in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, organized an event highlighting the significance of backing black-owned enterprises throughout Black History Month.
The event, titled “Forging Our Own Path,” gathered around 40 attendees at the Miami Dade College North Campus to discuss wealth creation and entrepreneurship within the African American community.
Embracing Dr. King’s vision
The narrative of American entrepreneurship often paints a picture of boundless opportunity and the “self-made” success story. Yet, for Black entrepreneurs, the reality is a landscape riddled with systemic barriers, historical inequities, and a persistent lack of access.
While the challenges are undeniable, they also serve as a powerful catalyst for a new era of Black economic empowerment—an era defined by resilience, innovation, and a collective determination to forge our own path.
The panel highlighted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s goals for Black economic freedom and equity, noting that despite the nation’s prosperity, significant racial disparities persist, with 18% of African Americans living below the poverty line versus only 8% of white Americans.
At the forum, attendees like Anabelle Duncan expressed enthusiasm about learning from established Black leaders to strengthen their own ventures. Panelists offered valuable insights into success strategies, including sessions with licensed therapists to ensure founders are mentally prepared for challenges.
A call for action
Events such as that mentioned above highlight real change happening if everyone’s got to pitch in. That means trying to buy from black-owned businesses, whether they’re right down the street or online. Investors can look for black-owned businesses to put their money into. That’s how they can really grow.
If you’ve got business experience, you can help someone new out! Share what you know. We need to push for laws that make it easier for black businesses to get loans and funding. You can build strong groups where black business owners can connect, find help, and get opportunities.
We need to teach more people in our communities how to manage their money well. This isn’t just about making money. It’s about taking back our economic power, building something for the kids, and making America fair for everyone. It’s about showing that our hard work and ideas are worth just as much.
