‘Checking the Box’ helped uncover 4,500 more Black-owned Delaware businesses

In September 2022, after advocacy efforts by the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC), the State of Delaware began offering businesses the option of reporting demographic information. Soon after, Technical.ly published a five-part series called “Checking the Box,” underwritten by the DEBCC, aimed at spreading awareness about the newly implemented feature via OneStop.delaware.gov — and why advocates believed it could make a difference in equity in the First State. Today, we have the first data report showing the numbers since the checkboxes, which allowed business owners to share information about their race/ethnicity, gender, disability and veteran status. So far, the results are pretty staggering. Through the most recent census, the DEBCC was able to identify 583 Black-owned businesses in Delaware. By leveraging the resources available at OneStop.gov, DEBCC identified over 5000 Black-owned businesses. Through the most recent census, the DEBCC counted 583 Black-owned businesses in Delaware. But by leveraging the resources made possible through the demographics boxes on OneStop.gov — resources that wouldn’t have been possible without the DEBCC’s advocacy — the organization ultimately identified over 5000 Black-owned businesses. “This invaluable data translates into increased support and resources for these businesses, enabling them to thrive and contribute more meaningfully to...