August is National Black Business Month, local businesses share impact

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – “Highlighting the people who have really bootstrapped and really been able to do something, it makes it so that other people want to try and that we aren’t just accepting what’s offered to us. We go, and we get what we deserve,” said Ali Bennet, a Black business owner in Lansing who is looking to empower others through networking and collaboration. Black-owned businesses increase more than 7% annually. National Black Business Month acknowledges not only the economic contributions of Black-owned businesses but also the social and cultural impact of these businesses. According to the Department for Small and Local Business Development, about 3% of U.S. businesses are Black or African American-owned—a small number, about 3 million businesses, generating over $130 million in total sales. Black businesses are continuing to open, offering several goods and services to the communities where they hope to thrive. Domonika Tipton owner of Uplift and Inspire Counseling and Consulting in Lansing says representation motivated her to start her business. “There is definitely a disparity when it comes to what we receive as sometimes African Americans in the mental world. As an African American person that has to also be involved personally within...