Black-Owned, Long-Standing, Still Standing Business: A Pillar of Economic Liberation
As “No Kings” protests erupted across the country in response to Donald Trump’s king-like administration and mass deportations, the question of Black presence in this political moment keeps coming up — and with Juneteenth tomorrow, it’s got people asking: where are we?
I’ve written before about the “black absence”, even though our absence is actually because we’re present somewhere else.
Since our efforts with Kamala Harris went awry, the urgency isn’t in the streets right now. It’s the Du Bois vs. Washington argument in real time. We’ve shifted from the social justice to economic liberation because being on the frontlines comes from lived and historical concerns.
So, as we reflect this Juneteenth and lean into our economic power, let’s honor the progress, stability, and peace Black businesses have already built in our communities. Remember to support them as we pursue this new era of economic justice, because it seems they may have already found a piece of it.
Black Media: A Pillar of Economic Liberation
The black press and media has always been our highest and most trusted medium of business in the community—historically and still today—especially as there’s always been a up-hill battle behind free press and information for us in the community.
First, we have to recognize the longest-serving Black business in history: The Philadelphia Tribune. Still operating since 1884 as the oldest continuously published Black newspaper in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the home of one of the largest catalogs of Black history—The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture—just turned 100, holding down generations of archives and cultural memory.
Other media outlets such as The BET Awards reaching 25 years, ESSENCE Magazine celebrating its 55th anniversary, and even our own local newspaper The San Antonio Observer hitting 30 years. All showing the resilience, stability, and the foundation that we already have as we lean towards economic justice.
Beyond the Media Headlines– Milestones Are Power in Motion
And it’s not just media— The National Business League just turned 125 and launched a national digital push to uplift one million Black-owned businesses. Snoop Dogg’s NFL youth league just hit 20 years, and there are 49 Black players in the major leagues such as C.J. Stroud, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Romeo Doubs, and others.
The 15 Percent Pledge—calling on major retailers to dedicate shelf space to Black-owned brands—just hit its five-year mark. In Charlotte, Black Wall Street is celebrating two years of rebuilding local Black economies.
And Uncle Nearest Whiskey—the fastest-growing Black-owned distillery—crossed $100 million in sales and keeps expanding its global reach.
Celebrate Liberation With Awareness
As we gear up for Juneteenth celebrations—parades, cookouts, festivals—let’s remember these economic spaces that have held us down when politics didn’t.
No need to build from scratch– We already have the platforms, the dollar, and the voice.
Support it. Use it. Protect it. Happy Juneteenth.
