WAOK’s “Too Much Truth with Derek Boazman” radio program celebrated Atlanta’s Black-owned businesses on Wednesday inside Mr. Everything Cafe on M.L.K.
Nestled in the upstairs bar of the family-owned and operated business that marked a milestone of 30 years in December, business owners gathered to mingle, network and highlight their businesses.
Many of the businesses in attendance were small businesses that ranged from salon and natural skin care products to libraries and at-risk youth support organizations. Joyce Littel, WAOK’s brand manager, recognized that it could be hard for those businesses to afford regular advertising. The event, which started as a way to help local entrepreneurs, allows these owners to use the reach of the radio station to market themselves.
“A lot of times, they can get the business started. If it’s a brick-and-mortar, they can build it. They can do everything to get it up and running but sometimes they don’t save enough for a marketing team,” Littel said. “If we can play a part in their success by giving them an opportunity to talk about their business, talk about their service, talk about their products — that’s what the voice of the community, WAOK, is and will forever be.”
Los Angeles native Jason Aldredge owns Compromising Choices, an at-risk youth organization he founded to help young men in Atlanta make better choices. Drawing from his experiences as an at-risk youth himself and the work he did to change his life, Aldredge said he recognized the power and duty he had to help those in his community see themselves in a different light by mentorship in schools and prisons and hosting events such as an upcoming talent show at Booker T. Washington on March 29.
“A lot of these young dudes aren’t thinking for themselves. They’re allowing other dudes to treat them like crash dummies, and it’s my job to be an interrupter of coffins and jails,” Aldredge said. “These kids have nothing else to see, so I’m here every day. I’m here all the time. I’m here working with them, showing them something different. First and foremost, gaining their trust.”
Henry M. Carter, author, community leader and owner of Conyers book store Tree of Knowledge, made note of a 2019 CNBC report that stated the Black buying power was $1.4 trillion. He emphasized the importance of utilizing that economic power by investing in and showing support for Black businesses and how that could, in turn, make the Atlanta community better.
“We need to start authentically supporting Black businesses and create an ecosystem where we can recycle that dollar. And we’ll begin to see better schools, we’ll begin to see better housing. You’ll begin to see our young people more engaged and empowered because they’re working at these businesses that can mentor them.”
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Laura Nwogu
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