Juneteenth - A time to reflect and recommit

A thriving Black-owned small business economy is key to economic justice

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On the commemoration of Juneteenth, Main Street Alliance Executive Director Chanda Causer had this to say:

 "Juneteenth is a moment to reflect on our collective history, acknowledge the nation’s legacy of enslaving people, celebrate freedom from bondage and move to jubilee. 2022 marks the one-year anniversary of Juneteenth being recognized as a federal legal holiday. Once known as a celebration among Black American families, it has now become a national day for reflection and honoring ancestors. It is not lost on us that a private community celebration of jubilee has become somewhat co-opted by large corporations.

 "We at Main Street Alliance are working towards building an inclusive small business economy, one that invests in BIPOC businesses. We know that Black American businesses, in particular, often don’t receive the access to capital, that would aid in the creation of jobs, generational wealth, and support of a circular economy. In addition, most Black-owned businesses are led by women, and at this moment, we still do not have the public investment in paid leave and child care that would support small businesses and their employees. As corporations aim to profit off of a communal celebration, we at MSA remain committed to honoring a resilience legacy and working towards economic justice."

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