Black-owned businesses were the focus of the Black Ownership Movement Tour, an initiative founded by Benito Lubazibwa, a native of Tanzania and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas who is now a local entrepreneur and the founder of ReMix Ideas. Lubazibwa has made a name throughout the state of Arkansas for his impact investing initiative to support Black entrepreneurs.
Pine Bluff police are warning residents about an increase in breaking and entering reports— one local business owner reacts to damages from a failed break ins.
At the start of the covid-19 pandemic, local businesses were forced to close or significantly reduce operations for long stretches of time and experienced much hardship through no fault of their own. Multiple small businesses in Pine Bluff received $275,000 in financial relief through grants provided by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Women's Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) during the pandemic.
On March 8, International Women's Day, the Pine Bluff chapter of The Links Inc. hosted a virtual session recognizing females of color who own businesses at Pine Bluff.