Atlantic City Community Pushes for More Black-Owned Businesses

by Rafael Pena

February 29, 2024

Atlantic Metropolis, as soon as a hub for Black-owned companies, now sees a mere fraction of what it used to have traditionally.

Press Of Atlantic Metropolis reported that Atlantic Metropolis, as soon as a hub for Black-owned companies, now sees a mere fraction of what it used to. Traditionally, over 300 Black-owned companies thrived within the Northside. Right now, solely a handful stays, surviving integration in sectors like barbershops, magnificence parlors, church buildings, and funeral companies, in response to Ralph Hunter, president of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.

Regardless of the decline, a brand new wave of entrepreneurs is decided to reverse the pattern. Carson Days, co-owner of Swapz AC in Tanger Retailers, sees promise within the diversification of companies, offering alternatives for smaller institutions to compete with main companies. The push for revitalization has garnered help from residents and the area people.

Discrepancies come up in counting Black-owned companies, with Go to Atlantic Metropolis itemizing 15 and Yelp reporting solely six. Nationally, Black-owned companies have seen a notable enhance, reaching 161,031, in response to the U.S. Census Bureau. Gross income for these companies has surged by 43%, demonstrating progress from $127.9 billion in 2017 to $183.3 billion in 2021.

Decided entrepreneurs like Dominic Francis, proprietor of Heady2Go smoke store, really feel the constructive affect of elevated Black-owned companies. “From the responses I get when folks hear that I’m the proprietor, it’s at all times constructive. It’s like a light-weight to them that there’s extra Black-owned enterprise opening in Atlantic Metropolis,’’ mentioned Francis. “We at all times get clients that wish to help and present love, they usually categorical how we want extra Black-owned companies in A.C.”

Nevertheless, Days and Francis emphasize the necessity for added assets comparable to grants, incentives, and elevated consciousness to foster sustainable progress.

Technological developments and academic initiatives, such because the Small Enterprise Academy, are seen as catalysts for achievement. Regardless of the challenges, there’s optimism that, with the precise help and consciousness, Atlantic Metropolis can witness a resurgence of Black-owned companies, reclaiming its historic legacy.

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