ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – As we celebrate Black History Month, KTTC is highlighting Black-owned businesses in our community.
Jersey Jo’s, Greenhouse Grafix and BCS Creative Solutions are black-owned businesses in Rochester that continue to make an impact on their community through different events, fairs and other contributions.
“I have clients that have been coming here for nine years, and it’s a very good thing we try to stay netted with the community and involved with events doing fairs and things of that nature but it’s a challenge like anything else, small business in itself is a challenge,” Jersey Jo’s owner Joseph Phillips said.
As the businesses continue to grow, their owners hope the city of Rochester will continue to diversify and that their work will inspire others to pursue their passions.
“There’s a lot of people of color and a lot of people not of color, that are looking to, they want to see somebody that looks like them that’s doing some of the things that they want to do, so by that awareness I think it helps younger people to get motivated and have confidence that they can also do this,” Greenhouse Grafix and BCS Creative Solutions owner Lee Green said.
Both Phillips and Green said it’s important to remember the significance of Black history, and how it goes beyond the parameters of one month of recognition.
“To understand the experience, the black experience you have to understand the American experience,” Phillips said. “We’ve been netted and entwined in America’s history since America’s been here. there is nothing that you can talk about that you can’t find African American’s stamp or footprint or involvement in and the community is the same way.”
Lee Green of Greenhouse Grafix is also part of the team that presented city hall’s black history traveling exhibit as a consultant. The exhibit is open until Feb. 9.
Find stories like this and more, in our apps.
Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.