The Detroit Historical Society (DHS) is taking a big step to recognize area Black-owned businesses. They’re asking for help from local citizens to give a web-based shout-out to companies they admire.
According to the DHS, of the 60,000 small businesses in Detroit identified during the 2012 census, almost 50,000 were Black-owned. Unfortunately, few of those companies actually grew large enough to hire one employee, with only one in 30 having at least one paid worker, compared to one in three white-owned businesses.
To help shed light on this statistic and Black-owned businesses that are making a difference in their communities, during May and June 2022, the DHS will be looking for nominations for inspiring Black entrepreneurs. Those chosen will be featured in the Detroit Historical Museum’s newest project: The Hustle. The Hustle will celebrate the unsung innovators in the Detroit community and showcase the passion and potential in the city’s Black businesses to the more than 150,000 adults and children who visit the museum every year.
To nominate an entrepreneur, you can click here or call 313.833.4727. Those entrepreneurs selected will be able to tell their own stories in a dedicated oral history interview (that will become part of the Detroit Historical Society’s permanent collection) and be photographed in a professional portrait (to be displayed in the museum).
You can learn more about the program in this WXYZ-TV 7 story highlighting the program.
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