Black In America: Silicone Valley The New Promise Land

Last night I watched the latest series of Black in America: Silicone Valley The Next Promised Land. I enjoyed this segment and agreed that there is a need to address the lack of Black entrepreneurs. In conversations with my mother, she expressed how disappointed she is with the generations that followed hers. We as Black people have become so dependent on other people to provide us with an income and a way to earn a living. Black people in the 60s and 70s owned businesses and hired other Black people from the neighborhood to work in their business and kept money within the family.

I personally come from a family of entrepreneurs. My maternal grandfather, rest his soul, owned his own trucking business. He would receive contracts from the city of Cleveland to haul trucks of dirt and materials to various sites. He also fixed cars in his spare time from his garage. My Aunt took over the business when he passed to do contracting. She would make it a practice to hire young Black men to help with contracting and to keep money circulating within the Black community. From there she opened a family garden center and we all grew flowers, arranged pots and hanging baskets to sell. At a young age I witnessed my family work hard and earn money themselves.

We are missing this entrepreneurial mindset in this generation and today’s Black society. It seems like everyone has their hand out expecting people to give them opportunities just because. My freshman year in college when my course load was insane but I wanted to earn some money on the side. I didn’t take the working part-time approach. I started my own graphic and web design business and earned money by designing and creating sites for small businesses, in particular north east Ohio. I personally wanted to work in corporate America, I love the environment.

Black in America pointed out that we don’t help each other out and we have this sense of entitlement. If you look at the Asian culture in America, many of their families own restaurants and beauty supply stores. Next time you stop in for your favorite dish or hair product take a look around. All of the workers there are either family or friends of the family. They start businesses and keep everyone in the family employed.

So the question is, why can’t more Black families and individuals become entrepreneurs? Maybe it’s the lack of capital and start up costs? Black in America pointed out that there is plenty of opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to apply for grants and investments along with people willing to invest in good ideas. The missing piece of the puzzle is actual Black entrepreneurs with a business plan or idea. Maybe it’s the lack of security? Starting your own business can be scary and unpredictable. People find security in receiving a check monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly to take care of their living expenses. Relying on yourself or others to generate an income can be stressful. At the same time no job is ever guaranteed, especially in this economy. Some fields are more secure than others but at the end of the day you never know.

I hope the Black in America segment influences more Black people to think about taking the entrepreneur approach.

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