Wilmington Black businesses need support to grow stronger

The Stand DE owner Antinette Watson, Trash Porters founder Chris Boozer, Green Box Kitchen owner Jason Aviles and Wilmington Alliance Small Business Program Manage Tish Bracy talk about small business success in Wilmington. | DBT PHOTOS BY JUSTIN HEYES/MOONLOOP PHOTOGRAPHY WILMINGTON — Chris Boozer has two choices – either breaking his back for overtime at a warehouse or take a risk and that risk meant striking out and starting his own business. At age 36, he’s already been on a long road. After serving time in prison, Boozer struggled to find his way with work. Jobs at car dealerships fell through once the background checks came back. Working at a cement factory ended when a coworker referred to him with an offensive racist epithet. Selling old cars on a lot independently in West Philadelphia was not as stable. “I just kept looking for anything, any problem to solve,” Boozer said. “That’s when I noticed the huge inconvenience in taking out the trash while on the third floor of my apartment. People were driving their cars up to dumpsters and taking it out of the trunk. It was craziness. That’s when I realized I could handle this.” That’s where his idea...