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The police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last summer reignited the long simmering Black Lives Matter movement and invigorated broader campaigns for Black equity.
Just before that, in February and April 2020, about 41% of Black-owned small businesses closed, devastated by pandemic-related closures and reduced customer traffic, according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Although small companies across the board struggled, Black entrepreneurs were hit hardest. Haitian owned businesses in Miami rode the economic wave.
Yet, these dual crises also inspired new investments in Black businesses, reinforced long-standing traditions for Black communities to look after their own, and spurred some to pursue new opportunities despite pandemic uncertainties.
Marleine Bastien at a campaign launch event Friday./Johania Charles for The Miami Times
The longtime activist and social worker, known for leading anti-gentrification rallies and pushing for the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Miamiâs immigrant families, said she is grooming young leaders to staff FANM during her campaign. Wallace Aristide, principal of Northwestern Senior High School, gives an acceptance speech after receiving the 2020 Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award./Alberto Carvalho via Twitter
Bastien, one of seven residents who submitted qualifying documents for the county commission seat, joins a growing list of candidates that includes the well-respected principal of Northwestern Senior High School, Wallace Aristide, who is already garnering much support from the community.
A new nonprofit organization of Black community groups, faith-based institutions and business and political leaders throughout South Florida is taking a strength-in-numbers approach to combat inequities and promote prosperity for Blacks in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
The South Florida Black Prosperity Alliance held news conferences in all three South Florida counties on Thursday to unveil the initiative. In Palm Beach County, the group met in front of the Martin Luther King Memorial at Currie Park in West Palm Beach, currently being renovated by a Black-owned business. This is different because where there is an issue of economic disparity in Palm Beach County, we know the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will be on the front line. We know the Urban League of Palm Beach County will be on the front line, said Brian C. Johnson, president of the Broward County Minority Builders Coalition. What we re declaring today, though, is when you see the