It was a crowded Monday morning at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St., as local Black business owners, residents and politicians gathered for the African American Business Owners Recognition Brunch.
The event, presented by the Kenosha Black Business Directory, celebrated two Kenosha residents; Anthony Jefferson, owner of Five-Star Moving Crew and The Green Team junk removal company, and John Baldwin, owner of two Cricket mobile phone franchises.
Owens
Alvin Owens, owner of Regimen Barber Collective and an active member and advocate of Kenosha’s Black business community, emphasized the importance of such events for networking.
“The one takeaway I want is the conversations, to make sure African American businesses feel supported,” Owens said. “We want more than just attention and recognition, we want to feel really supported.”
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The event was part of broader efforts to build “infrastructure,” a system of support, whether monetary, social or educational, that Owens said Kenosha lacks for Black business owners.
The impact of such “infrastructure,” built over many years, was clear Monday.
The Kenosha Black Business Directory now boasts over 80 businesses, including over 20 brick and mortar stores, Owens said. And Jefferson, while on stage being recognized for his two businesses, thanked Owens for taking him on the first Spring Break College Tours decades ago.
Jefferson said such events help boost Black businesses’ representation in the public.
“Because of the lack of representation by media, what you see when you turn on the news and social media is the stereotype,” Jefferson said. “We know as Black people it’s not the case.”
Jefferson, whose own son was in attendance, said that it was critical the next generation see such opportunities were possible for Black residents.
Anthony Jefferson Sr., owner of two businesses, speaks during the African American Business Owners Recognition Brunch Monday. The event highlighted local Black businesses.
“It’s great we have a great crowd, this is empowering,” Jefferson said. “We’re filling in for that lack of representation … If you want it done right, do it yourself.”
Baldwin, noting the local politicians attending, said he hoped local leaders would also help support Black business owners.
“I think its the beginning of a fresh new look for Kenosha,” Baldwin said. “We need to start supporting African American businesses in Kenosha.”
One such business was Blak Coffee, next door to the Creative Space, which helped cater the event. Owner DeShaun Foster said the event was important for acknowledging Black businesses.
John Baldwin accepts an award during the African American Business Owners Recognition Bunch at Kenosha Creative Space Monday. Local business owners, residents and politicians gathered to recognize Black businesses.
“We want that recognition that we’re here and for people to support us,” Foster said.