I've Got the Power.....the Buying Power!

I love supporting black businesses!!!!

I love the customer service, the thought and care that goes into the products and just the overall feeling I get afterwards knowing that I handed a dollar bill to someone that looked like me ::sigh:: Oh! How I wish I could spend 100% of my income exclusively with black businesses (honestly, its one of my personal goals)!

But sadly, present day, I haven't been able to do that. I still haven't found a black owned airline company, cell phone company, or car manufacturer. But if you know of any, holla at ya girlie!

Ok..I have to be honest with you though, sometimes convenience takes control and I stop by my local  ::cough:: non black owned store to pick up a few items every now and then.

I just had the scariest thought!! What if a few items at a non black owned store multiplied by a few other conscious girlies (also overcome by the "convenience monster") turned into 1.1 trillion dollars spent at a non black owned business?!"

What a scary thought right? But according to The Nielsen Company study entitled “African-American Consumers: Still Vital, Still Growing,” the African American population is an economic force to be reckoned with, with a projected buying power of $1.1 trillion by 2015!!

So what does this all mean? It means we've got the power....the buying power! 

Now all we have to do is shake that convenience monster off our backs and use our power wisely.

I had to bring this news to you conscious girlies because most black consumer purchases are made in the following categories:

· household items

· health and beauty
· travel
· smart phones
· child related items

These are all items that I'm sure the average girly out there has purchased in the last 30 days. We are the ones that contribute to this buying power the most. So here's my challenge to you and myself:

First, let's try our best to purchase that next throw pillow or dress for our niece at a black owned store and second, lets begin creating the businesses that produce these items. 

Are you an entrepreneur or do you know one? Suggest producing items from the list above to keep the black buying power in our favor. Also, if you know of any black owned business that already produce these items list them below.

I am ready to act, if I can find brave [conscious girlies] to help me.
- Carter G. Woodson (Conscious Girly version)