Unity as Key
ALIBI— The only way Black businesses can survive and thrive is when they work in cooperation instead of competition, said organizers of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Annual State Convention held recently. Under the leadership of Larry Ivory, the Chamber’s president and CEO, the organization celebrated 25 years of empowering Black businesses in Illinois and beyond with a variety of workshops, one-on-one corporate matchmaking sessions, and informative panels. This year’s gathering was held in conjunction with the National Black Chamber of Commerce. “The only way from poverty to prosperity is normally through entrepreneurship. If we strengthen Black businesses, we strengthen Black communities. We want to empower our people,” said Mr. Ivory. Black businesses do much more than possibly create generational wealth for themselves. In many cases, Black-owned businesses address problems with systemic oppression and lack of access, such as the restaurant or coffee shop in a struggl...