photo by steed media service

Economists estimate that by 2010 spending in the black community is going to reach 1 trillion dollars. But only a paltry 5 percent of those dollars will be funneled to black-owned businesses. “Imagine if that was raised to just 20 percent and how much more the black community and their businesses would be able to grow,” proffers James Parker.

Parker is the creator of GoBlackBiz.com, the fi rst fully advertised Web directory for black-owned businesses. His goal is to support and connect black-owned businesses around the world.

“Everyone knows where all the Chinese businesses are. Hispanics know where their businesses are. The black community is spread out,” explains Parker. “GoBlackBiz.com gives that small, home-based business and large business the opportunity to use the Internet much like large corporations use Yahoo! and MSN to advertise to millions.”

Whether you’re looking for a black accountant in Tyler, Texas for income tax season or a black clown in Chicago for a birthday party, GoBlackBiz.com is dedicated to creating an international infrastructure to circulate black dollars within the black community.

“Our goal for the site is to have all 1,197,000 black-owned businesses listed,” explains Parker. “Whether you need a doctor, caterer or construction worker, we’ll have all the little things that you need. We have a company in Wisconsin that makes blankets that fi t under the bed so the person on the bottom [bunk] won’t have to stare at a wooden board. Everything we need we can fi nd in the black business community.” - adam jones

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