A Few Thoughts About Black Philanthropy

Aug 29, 2024 | Mindset

HOUSTON, TX — This August, in celebration of Black Business Month, the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) is launching The Power of Us: Growing Black Business Together, a monthlong campaign highlighting the entrepreneurs, innovators, and companies driving Houston’s economy forward.

Throughout the month, GHBC will feature member businesses through interviews, industry spotlights, business visits, testimonials, networking events, and social media campaigns designed to encourage the community to shop, support, and invest in Black-owned businesses.

“Black businesses are not only creating jobs and generating wealth, they are strengthening neighborhoods and shaping Houston’s future,” said Dr. Asheli S. Atkins, President & CEO of the Greater Houston Black Chamber. “The Power of Us celebrates what we can accomplish when businesses, consumers, and community partners intentionally support one another.”

Black-owned businesses continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned employer businesses generated nearly $250 billion in annual revenue in 2023. Research from the Brookings Institution found that the number of Black-owned employer businesses grew by nearly 57% between 2017 and 2022, while the U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly 46% of the nation’s workforce.

Houston’s economy also continues to expand. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas projects continued employment growth across the region in 2026, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

As one of the nation’s oldest Black chambers of commerce, GHBC remains committed to helping businesses grow through access to contracts, capital, connections, and capacity-building programs. During Black Business Month, the Chamber invites the community to discover new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and experience The Power of Us in action.

To learn more about the campaign, become a member, or explore upcoming events, visit www.ghbcc.com.

 

Sources:

Brookings Institution. Driving Prosperity: How Black-Owned Businesses Fueled Recent Economic Growth. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/driving-prosperity-how-black-owned-businesses-fueled-recent-economic-growth/

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Houston Economy and Employment Indicators (2026). https://www.dallasfed.org/research/indicators/hou

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual Business Survey: Characteristics of Business Owners. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/abs.html

U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy. Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business (2024). https://advocacy.sba.gov/resources/the-small-business-data-center/

AUTHOR

<a href="https://ghbcc.com/author/admin-blkchamber/" target="_self">GHBC</a>

GHBC

Greater Houston Black Chamber

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