Ensuring Tallahassee’s legacy of Black economic empowerment

As deputy director of the Office of Economic Vitality for Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises, I am honored to continue the legacy of trailblazers like Booker T. Washington and Whitney Young.

These leaders championed economic empowerment, recognizing entrepreneurship as the foundation of Black progress. Their vision laid the groundwork for Black business success despite systemic barriers.

Today, I carry forward their mission by fostering inclusive economic growth and empowering future generations of minority entrepreneurs. Washington’s philosophy remains relevant: “At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion itself, there must be… an economic foundation.”

His belief in economic independence continues to inspire Black entrepreneurs, driving job creation and upward mobility.

Steve Beasley, founder of the Capital Outlook newspaper, recalls the impact of the Frenchtown Merchants Association in the 1950s. Black business owners overcame financial barriers by leveraging relationships with local banks and the FAMU Credit Union—Florida’s oldest credit union. Instead of competing, they built a self-help network, recognizing their collective power.

Beyond business, they gave back. Forty years ago, the association launched the Soul Santa initiative, providing Christmas gifts for working-class families. Visionary leaders like Beasley, Howard Roberts (Economy Drug Store), Charlie Dobbins (Super X Food Store), and Joseph Franklin (Modern Day Cleaners) embodied community-driven economic empowerment.

Florida leads the nation with 21,064 Black-owned businesses as of 2022. Nationally, Black-owned employer firms generate $133.7 billion in sales and provide over 1.18 million jobs. In Florida, these businesses employ 77,136 people, with an annual payroll of $2.63 billion.

Yet, challenges persist. Black business owners face loan denial rates three times higher than their white counterparts, limiting access to capital. While Black-owned businesses make up 11.3% of all U.S. firms, only 2.7% have employees, reflecting barriers to expansion. Limited venture capital, fewer networking opportunities, and historical lending discrimination hinder sustainability.

Expanding access to microloans, grants, and alternative financing is essential. Increasing procurement opportunities, mentorship programs, and technical assistance can help Black entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Prioritizing equitable access to capital fosters job creation and long-term economic success.

Leon County’s Black business community has long championed economic empowerment.

In the early 1990s, Charles Cyrus and Frank Williams Florida Developers Inc. of Tallahassee —one of the state’s oldest Black-owned construction firms— and others, established the Capital City Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, attorney and lobbyist Sean Pittman founded the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce (BBMC), serving Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties. BBMC and its members have donated over $200,000 to local schools, continuing the tradition of community uplift.

Both chambers of commerce are still very active, with full-time staff and directors and serving more than 100-member businesses.

Through partnerships with Florida A&M University’s Small Business Development Center, Black businesses have received training to secure government contracts. This effort, initiated by the late Mayor James Ford with the City of Tallahassee Minority Business Enterprise Office, has expanded access to public construction projects.

As the current MWSBE executive for the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, I am committed to ensuring Black businesses receive the support needed to thrive.

The Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise division of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality expands opportunities for Black-owned businesses. OEV supports these businesses through a local business directory, the SmartSteps microloan program, and educational resources.

Recognizing ongoing challenges, OEV actively promotes inclusive economic policies and procurement opportunities. Over the past five years, OEV has facilitated over $15 million in Leon County government spending with minority-owned firms, primarily through subcontracting on major county construction projects.

City of Tallahassee projects—including the Tallahassee Police Department, Senior Center, and StarMetro Transit Center—have awarded millions of dollars in contracts to Black-owned firms. These investments support economic participation and job creation, ensuring continued inclusion of Black- and women-owned businesses in future development projects.

Engineers like Aaron Milner and George Johnson of Johnson + Milner, Inc., and construction firms like Frank Williams’ Florida Developers Inc. of Tallahassee, are expanding their businesses and creating more jobs in our local economy through these projects.

The solution to cyclical poverty in areas like Leon County’s 32304 zip code lies in job creation. This requires recruiting new businesses, strengthening local enterprises, and maximizing workforce development pipelines. Both the city and Leon County commissions remain intentional in crafting policies that drive economic opportunity.

Black economic resilience remains strong in Tallahassee and Leon County. Organizations like OEV and local chambers of commerce continue working to increase access to capital, enhance business operations, and expand opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Through strategic partnerships and community support, Black business owners continue shaping the local economy while upholding a long-standing tradition of self-determination.

As we honor those who paved the way, our collective efforts will ensure Black businesses grow, innovate, and create lasting economic impact for generations to come.

Darryl Jones is deputy director of the Minority, Women, & Small Business Enterprise Division of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality. He also represents District 3 on the Leon County School Board.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ensuring Tallahassee’s legacy of Black economic empowerment | Opinion