< PreviousBUSINESS NEWS For the descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, entre- preneurship represents more than just owning a business and pursuing the proverbial American Dream. Instead, the ability for Black people to participate in local, regional, and global markets represents a dream deferred by systemic racism and discrimination. Consequently, an analysis of Black business ownership can off er insight into the degree to which America is truly the land of opportunity. Inspired by the work of the Path to 15|55 initiative, this research explores the state of Black-owned employer businesses (hereafter referred to as Black businesses). Using the Census Bureau’s 2018 Annual Business Survey (ABS), which replaced the Survey of Business Owners (SBO), we analyzed data at the national and metropolitan levels to compare Black and non- Black businesses. Th e purpose of this research is to provide the empirical context that will make way toward a set of business development goals. Future goals will provide a shared vision among key players that can drive capital to Black entrepreneurs to start, maintain, and grow their businesses. Th is includes capital from corporations and philanthropies, support from political lead- ers, investment and products from financial institutions, and venture and startup capital investment from high-net-worth individuals. Th e potential economic and social returns that strategic investments in Black businesses can have for individual business owners, local communities, and the overall economy warrant an analysis. According to the most recent Census Bureau data available, Black people comprise approximately 14.2% of the U.S. population, but Black busi- nesses comprise only 2.2% of the nation’s 5.7 million employer businesses (firms with more than one employee). Black-owned businesses are much more likely to be sole proprietorships. According to the 2012 SBO (the last year reported), 4.2% of Black-owned businesses had employees, compared to 20.6% of white-owned businesses. Black adults are much more likely to be unemployed, and Black businesses are much more likely to hire Black workers. Th is shortage of Black busi- nesses throttles employment and the development of Black communities. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of Black businesses is costing the U.S. economy millions of jobs and billions of dollars in unrealized revenues. We have yet to experience an economy that is inclusive. We can’t predict what would happen if the drag of racism were removed from various mar- kets, but if Black businesses posted similar numbers to non-Black business- es, the country would realize significant economic growth. We assume an expansion in the size of the economy such that no gains in Black business revenue or size come at the expense of non-Black businesses. Th e Black Business Leadership Coa- lition of Greater Philadelphia called on Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council to prioritize strengthening the Department of Commerce with a $10 million invest- ment that would fund the coalition’s stra- tegic plan to build wealth in communities through prioritizing the development of Black businesses. Th e coalition also asked for an addi- tional investment of $10 million for major Black-owned and led projects through the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. Th eir focus on securing targeted funding comes as the U.S. has lost an estimated 40% of Black-owned businesses due to the pandemic. “Th e pandemic has really exacerbated the problems that Black businesses face and our problems are greater than just about any other business out there,” said John Childress, the coalition’s president. “What we are looking for is Philadelphia City Council and also the state to invest in a new infrastructure to develop Black businesses and to grow it and to ultimately build wealth. So, we feel that this is the prime time with the ARP money coming from the federal government to make an investment, which is going to produce dividends going into the future. Th at’s our focus, prioritizing our needs and doing something with these funds which is going to an investment which generates more money down the road and is not the same approach that has been used for 10 or 20 years,” he continued. John T. Childers by Ayana Jones Call for Investment in Black Business Black Business Leadership Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Leaders A coalition representing hundreds of business owners, advocates and experts is urging city leaders to invest American Rescue Plan funding into Black businesses and communities. 8 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2021 TO EXPAND THE ECONOMY INVEST IN BLACK BUSINESSES BROOKINGS ESSAYBUSINESS NEWS WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 9WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 9 STATISTICS Th ere are 124,004 Black businesses, accounting for 2.2% of employer businesses. If Black businesses accounted for 14.2% employer firms (equivalent to the Black population), there would be 806,218 more Black businesses. Black businesses create an average of 10 jobs per firm, compared to 23 for non-Black businesses. If the average employees per Black business increased to 23, it would create approximately 1.6 million jobs (1,583,268). Black businesses pay their employees an average of $29,882, compared to non-Black businesses’ average pay of $51,357. If Black businesses paid as much as non-Black businesses, then those employees would see an increase in pay by approximately $25 billion ($25,947,313,541). If the number of Black businesses matched the population size and the revenue of each of those firms matched non-Black businesses’ revenue, then the total revenue of Black businesses would increase by $5.9 trillion ($5,904,952,124). If the number of Black businesses matched the population size and the employees per firm matched non-Black businesses, it would create more than 19 million jobs (19,732,593).LATINO NEWS Increasingly, Historically Black Colleges and Universities are serving more diverse populations. According to a 20-13 report from the University of Pennsylvania, about a quarter of HBCUs in the U.S. have student bodies that are at least 20% non-Black. Hispanic and Latino enrollment at HBCUs has grown more than 120% since 1980. Now, one of Atlanta’s oldest HBCUs, Morris Brown College, has formed a partnership with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The idea is to increase diversity while the school tries to rebuild. Antonio Molina, the chair of the Chamber, and Morris Brown President Kevin James spoke with WABE’s Martha Dalton about how and why the partnership came about. In an expanded interview, James talks about Morris Brown’s attempt to regain accreditation after almost 20 years without it and about how he plans to revive the school. Jacqueline Romero moved to the United States from El Salvador when she was 8 years old. Now 30, living in York, Pa., Ms. Romero runs a real estate business with her mother. The operation manages 10 rental properties and has four homes on the market. The two women are both able to work in the United States legally through a temporary permit program, but they have to reapply about every two years. Every application is nerve-wracking, Ms. Romero said. “We can’t continue asking folks like myself and my mom to keep renewing their permits,” she said Monday during a virtual panel discussion hosted by the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to advocate for federal legislation designed to create pathways to citizenship for immigrant workers. “Pennsylvania is our home now, and we can’t wait any longer to live as we have earned and deserved,” she said. “It’s about time now that the conversation gets taken seriously. We need the workers; we need the money. It’s time to do something about it, and the time is now.” Business owners, workers, lawmakers, and activists have long disagreed over how the U.S. immigration system should work. Now, a group of activists in Pittsburgh and around Pennsylvania is arguing any delay in making changes to the system is only going to hurt the state economically. Pennsylvania has about 891,000 immigrant residents, according to 2019 data from the New York-based research and advocacy organization New American Economy. Those residents paid about $9.9 billion in taxes and accounted for $24.9 billion in spending power. The American Dream and Promise Act would provide a pathway to per- manent legal status and eventually citizenship for certain immigrants who were working or learning in the United States. That bill would largely help immigrants who are a part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Also known as Dreamers, those in- dividuals often came to the United States when they were young and had to meet certain education or employment requirements to be eligible for the program. DACA began in 2012 under the Obama administration, though then-President Donald Trump moved to change the program during his administration. The American Dream and Promise Act would also apply to people who have Temporary Protected Status. TPS allows some individuals to stay in the United States for a short period of time. Ms. Romero, the real estate agent from York, said she and her mother both have TPS permits and that the program allowed them enough stability to start their business. But starting a business is a risk not many immi- grants are able to take, she said. She has watched a friend who used to be a dentist in El Salvador now spend his time picking up trash for his brother, who works on a construc- tion site. The friend doesn’t have the same papers his brother does, or Ms. Romero does. “The undocumented population doesn’t have that certainty to be able to fully realize their potential—same with Dreamers and TPS…If you’re living on this two-year life, two-year renewal, it’s very difficult to plan ahead of that,” said Kevin Hernandez, director of policy with the LIBRE Initiative, a grassroots organization based in Virginia that advocates for the Hispanic community. “The status quo, it doesn’t benefit anyone.” by Lauren Rosenblatt Activists Call for U.S. Senate to Pass Immigration Reform Hispanic and Latino Enrollment at HBCU Increased Antonio Molina, Chairman of the Board Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Kevin James, Interim Morris Brown President, Photo by Nick Nelson 120% 10 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2021LATINO NEWS Latino leaders from across the state said Th ursday the 2021 Pennsylvania Latino Convention will take place in Reading this fall. Norman Bristol Colon, the chairman and founder of the convention, was joined by elected officials and others outside Reading City Hall to make the announcement. Th e convention took place in Reading last year, mostly virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bristol Colon said he wanted to return to Reading for several reasons. First, Berks is a standout area in terms of Latino representation. “We need to make sure that we bring the convention back to a place where Latinos at the state and at the na- tional level are looked at as a community that is standing up, that is really moving forward, that politically is achiev- ing a lot of power,” Bristol Colon said in an interview before the news conference. Reading Mayor Eddie Moran is the first Latino mayor of the Latino-majority city, which is also the fifth largest city in the commonwealth; Berks County Com- missioner Michael Rivera is the first Latino to sit on that board; and State Rep. Manuel Guzman of Reading is the first Latino state legislator from Berks as well as a founding member of the recently formed Latino caucus in Harrisburg. Guzman said the convention, like the Latino caucus, will bring attention to Latino needs and empower Latino candidates in Pennsylvania. “We will continue to put our issues at the forefront, we will continue to encourage our Latino candidates to run for office and one day we may even see a Latino governor,” Guzman said. Guzman encouraged Latinos from across the state to visit the city for the convention. Th is year the convention is slated to be an in-person two-day event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Reading. Th e event will take place Sept. 29-30, which is in the middle of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Bristol Colon said one big goal for the convention is to establish a nongovernmental statewide commission on Latino poverty to “address possibly the number one issue we have that has an eff ect on everything from politics, to education, socially and economically for the Latino community.” Other issues that will be addressed at the convention include education, youth engagement and health inequities faced by Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. While encouraging people to continue to get vac- cinated, organizers said they hope the convention will also be a celebration in which members of the Latino community can reunite after more than 18 months of social distancing. Noman Bristol Colón, Chairman and Founder of Convention Pennsylvania Latino Convention by Anthony Orozco|WITF Returns to Reading WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 11 Tiff any LaVette, CEO of ABC Childcare Center, did not originally set out to become a childcare provider. A federal government employee who worked directly with HUD to manage homelessness for veterans she identified how important housing and employment was for self-sufficiency. However, that knowledge initially lead her in a desire to grow and expand in a career in home healthcare as a consultant. But with funds depleted after a 6-month at- tempt at consulting, she served temporarily as a childcare provider for family as she regrouped in her career path. Her love of providing child- care, and her ongoing passion to help families in need propelled her to obtain an apartment with enough commercial space to accommodate more families in need of childcare services. One day, while handling an emergency childcare need from a homeless mother fleeing a domestic violence relationship and seeking employment, she realized her desire to not merely babysit children, but to provide care for parents and children who depended on childcare coverage for a variety of needs. During that incident, and while waiting to secure her own daycare license, she cemented her purpose in providing childcare services for those in need. Beginning with just 6 children, her daycare soon grew to capacity within a month’s time, securing a second location in 6 months and increasing to a multi figure earning facility holder in under 3 years. As a current Business Coach, Grant Writer and Consultant, Tiff any LaVette works with female daycare providers, churches, corporations, and organizations to help implement growth, start up and scaling business strategies. “We are one of the community’s biggest assets” she says. Her love of children and understanding the needs of society guided her decision in becoming a con- sultant for daycare facility hopefuls and startups. Initially, she set up to serve a small number of children in a low-capacity daycare facility. But as the needs of her community grew, she understood the importance of expansion, but was unsure of how to navigate the upscale of her business. As she reviewed her business model, she quickly learned to expand and become more flexible in meeting the needs of her community. But it did not come without its fair share of obstacles and challenges. Now known as “Th e Daycare Maven,” Tiff any shares her passion, resilience, and personal experiences to help other daycare owners to maximize marketplace opportunities for daycare. “My goal is to help corporations increase the value of their benefit packages by having in house child- care for the staff . I also help churches extend their community impact by having a daycare that serves the community. Lastly, with my coaching, I help daycare providers reach higher levels of success. My story of growing my daycare by more than 2000% in just 3 years is one that inspires and motivates. It shows you can be a successful in this indus- try.” Tiff any’s success does not go unnoticed. She writes blogs, develops grants, engages in speaking arrangements, and provides workshops and seminars to train, consult and train daycare managers nationwide. Personal experience drives her work. Some of her earlier roadblocks of attempting to scale without debt helped to master her skillset around receiving grant funding. Her success in relationship building also proved to be a roadblock, as she had to turn down several people, she knew who assumed her growing success meant employment opportunities for themselves. “As my business grew, more people knew me” LaVette said. “Th at came with people thinking I would give them a job even if they weren’t qualified. It was a little hard to tell people no, at first. When I settled on being a top daycare facility, the no’s got a little bit easier.” Being clear on the mission, acquiring staff with exceptional skillsets and working through upscaling without the onset of debt are lessons she teaches others through her consultation. What started out as a life lesson for her own journey, quickly became a teachable moment she uses in her consulting services. As the years progress, and with COVID and other circumstances changing the makeup of families and communities, Tiff any LaVette is once again learning to adapt to the circum- stances around her and come out on top. When asked about future goals and opportunities she sees that could benefit her business, LaVette replies with clear objectives and even clearer focus on helping not only her own business during this time, but also to those communities she serves. “I will be holding live in person and virtual events for the daycare industry. I also have several products coming out to help Daycare Providers grow their businesses minus the debt and burn out. I am always looking for ways to better serve my community. I’m open for continued growth and expansion.” Tiff any LaVette has become a Daycare Maven, one who has utilized her corporate knowledge to aid in progressing her own entrepreneurial dream, helping women pursue and execute their own dreams within the Daycare industry. When asked about words of advice she would share with other business owners seeking success in a similar field, LaVette response was simple: Be clear and unapologetic about your goals. “Everyone doesn’t understand the sacrifice success requires” she continued “It’s not that you’re being mean or standoffish. You are really busy. I would like everyone to be okay with doing what it takes to achieve their desired level of success. Be courteous and humble...but don’t feel bad for growing.” Th is advice rings true with success stories like Tiff any LaVette, whose clear focus and passion for help- ing to build and maintain strong households led her through her own journey. Her ability to shift from a government job to serving the needs of her community serves as a reminder to all aspiring entrepreneurs to stay true to their dreams and work towards a career that feels like the pursuit of happiness, rather than simply a career. “It’s more than a job for me” she says. “I love what I do.” With that love of children and community in mind, Tiff any has set out to not only remain successful in her own business, but to share those resources with those who could benefit from her life’s lessons in building their own dreams. Her website, https://www.thedaycar- emaven.com/, has blogs and tools for aspiring daycare providers. You can also request consul- tations, identify workshop opportunities, and even hold seminars with Th e Daycare Maven herself. She can also be found on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under “Th e Daycare Maven” for more tools, tips, and opportunities to connect for further inquiry into how you can create a storybook ending, new beginning, or successful plot twist in your own journey within the daycare industry. by Fiordaliza White Lack of adequate daycare services for many is a large hindrance from job seeking, maintaining employment, or ensuring for safe spaces with daycare resources while handling issues around homelessness or even domestic situations. An ongoing national demand for childcare and strong female workforce statistics has always created a need for daycare facilities. Additionally, daycare needs for single parent households and decreased kindergarten facilities in some areas cause a greater need for daycare facilities to exist to fill the voids within disadvantaged and poverty-stricken communities. The Greatest Love of All: How Daycare Centers Serve as Community Resources and Business Opportunities for Female Entrepreneurs 12 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2021WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 13WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 13YOU MUST VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2, 2021 FOR THE WINNERS OF THE PRIMARY 2021 PRIMARY MAYORAL CANDIDATE WINNERS PITTSBURGH Ed Gainey PITTSBURGH Kenya Johns BEAVER FALLS John M. Burwell HOMESTEAD Dontae Comans WILKINSBURG Wanda Williams HARRISBURG Joelisa L. McDonald RANKIN Delia Lennon Winstead BRADDOCK 14 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2021WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 15 2021 PRIMARY judicial candidates winners WRENNA WATSONCHELSA WAGNERTIFFANY SIZEMORE LISA MIDDLEMANSABRINA KORBELNICOLA HENRY-TAYLOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT ELLIOT HOWSIE BRUCE BEEMER JESSEL COSTA MARIA MCLAUGHLINTIMIKA LANE PA SUPREME COURT PA SUPERIOR COURT LORI DUMASDAVID SPURGEON PA COMMONWEALTH COURTHEALTH NEWS The latest research shows the growing disparity between ads aimed at marginalized groups versus their white peers. Fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell, spent over $1.5 billion on TV ads in 2019 to target Black and Hispanic kids. In 2019, Black youth viewed 75% more fast-food ads than their white peers, while no healthy items were promoted on Spanish-language TV. Almost all fast-food ads promoted full-calorie, adult-sized, regular menu items (not kids’ meals) over their more nutritious alternatives. Despite targeting the youth, less than 10% of these ads were broadcast on kids’ TV. Over one-third Trusted Source of children and adolescents in the United States eat fast food on any given day, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. What’s more, the percentage of calories children get from fast food — which generally consists of foods that include burgers, fries, and pizza — has also increased in the last few years, with 1 in 5 kids in the U.S. now classed as having obesity Trusted Source. One factor that contributes to this growth is marketing. Mounting research has found a strong link between rates of childhood obesity and increases in advertising for less nutritious foods, such as fast food. The most recent Fast Food FACTS report published by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut is the latest to add to the literature. First Look at the Findings The 2021 report analyzed data on how 274 fast-food restaurants spent their advertising budgets and how much children were exposed to these ad campaigns. The data also looked further into the 27 top fast-food adver- tisers and how they targeted young white, Hispanic, and Black consumers under the age of 18 years. According to Nielsen 2019 data, which the study was based on, ad spending for fast food has increased by $400 million since 2012, reach- ing $5 billion in 2019. These fast-food ad campaigns were also specifically catered to the youth, and Black and Hispanic groups were disproportion- ately targeted. On an annual basis, the research found the following statistics when ads were distributed into age groups: • 830 TV ads per year targeted preschoolers aged 2–5 years • 787 ads were aimed at children aged 6–11 years • 775 ads were directed to teens 12- to 17-year-olds On average, children and teens saw more than two ads per day promot- ing fast foods or businesses on TV. The research also found that only 10% of these ads were broadcast on children’s programming, and less than 20% promoted kids’ meals. Only one restaurant (McDonald’s) allocated more than 1% of its spend- ing on ads to promote more nutritious kids’ meals. Moreover, programming that targeted Black and Hispanic youth promot- ed low cost, large portion, “value” meal deals and bundles. Among all the findings, according to Dr. Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center and one of the study co-authors, the most surprising was that only 1% of fast-food advertising promoted restaurants’ more nutritious menu items. “That means that restaurants make a big deal about improving the nutri- tional quality of menu items when they talk about their corporate responsibility initiatives, but they still almost exclusively continue to advertise their unhealthy stuff to consumers,” she told Medical News Today. Fast Foods: Black and Hispanic Youth Targeted by Ads A new report examines fast-food marketing practices to children and highlights stark racial and ethnic disparities. BLACK YOUTH Meanwhile, 23 fast-food restaurants spent $99 million to advertise on Black-targeted TV in 2019. Fast food (pizza, burgers, fried chicken, and similar foods), candy, sugary drinks, and unhealthy snacks comprised 86% of food ad spending on TV programming that targeted Black groups. Taco Bell, Domino’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s, McDonald’s, and KFC were among the top, Black-targeted brands. Specifically, Black teens saw 1.9–2.5 times as many ads for these same restaurants compared with white teens. Black preschoolers and Black children viewed an average of three ads per day, or approximately 1,000 fast-food ads on an annual basis in 2019. Black teens saw slightly fewer at 986.9 ads during the same period. Black youth, on the whole, saw 755 more ads than their white counterparts in 2019, recording a 60% increase from figures in 2012. Calling this disparity “deplorable,” Fatima Cody Stanford, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Obesity Communications, said this was one of the many barriers to improve health in the Black community. “It seems as though all forces are against our community to [compromise] our health and health-related quality of life.” HISPANIC YOUTH Fast-food ad spending on Spanish-language TV amounted to $318 million in 2019. This shows an increase of 33% since 2012. McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Domino’s, Popeyes, Burger King, and Little Caesars were the top Hispanic-targeted brands in 2019. The only kids’ meal advertised on Spanish- language TV in 2019 was McDonald’s Happy Meals, but they were primarily aimed at Hispanic parents and not children. No healthy items were promoted on Spanish- language TV in 2019. Among Hispanic youth, preschoolers viewed more fast-food ads than older groups on Spanish-language TV, which was about an ad a day at 342.3 ads a year. Hispanic children watched 251.3 fast-food ads a year, while teens saw 210.4 ads. COMPARING THE DATA Among food and beverage marketing, 40% of the ads for 2- to 17-year-olds promoted fast food. Disparities in ads targeting various ethnicities or races also increased over the years. 16 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2021HEALTH NEWS Dr. David Webster, Vice President and Executive Medical Director, Clinical Services, Highmark According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people of color may have delayed diagnosis due to: • Lower public awareness of skin cancer risks • Fewer regular, full body skin exams due to a lower index of skin cancer suspicion from healthcare providers • Skin cancers tend to occur often on less sun-exposed areas like the lower extremities and soles of the feet—making detection more difficult Th e primary cause of skin cancer is caused by exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light. Some practices that will decrease the chance of getting skin cancer are staying inside during the middle of the day when the sun is shining the most, and most importantly, wearing sunscreen. Th ere are two types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens are made of the minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and look white on skin, which is called a cast. Chemical sunscreens are typically clear and are more popular on skin of color. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and converting it into a small amount of heat. Physical sunscreens work by reflecting and scattering UV light. You should use sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher because they will protect you from 97% of ultraviolet light rays, according to Harvard Health. Apply a teaspoon of sunscreen to your face and neck, and an ounce to other exposed areas on your body. Remember to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you go outside and reapply after being in water and/or every two hours. If you do get a sunburn, it is important to take precautions immediately, such as seeking shade, drinking water, and using gentle moisturizers. If you do suspect you have skin cancer, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Some experts say melanin means we absorb 50% less UV rays. But when we do the math that means we still have significant exposure. Dr. David Webster is the vice president & executive medical director of clinical services at Highmark Why You Should Protect Your Skin this Summer Sun Safety: WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 17 Did you know, famous musician Bob Marley died from skin cancer? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and the world. As African Americans, we can indeed get skin cancer. Th e outcome of skin cancers in African Americans is worse than the general population—primarily because we are diagnosed at a later stage. Next >