TAMPA, Fla. — August is National Black Business Month. Many businesses use the time to bring in support year-round. Sherryl Jennings-Cusseaux runs DSI Black Pages.
Through the publication, Jennings-Cusseaux has connected businesses in Tampa Bay Area to the community.
“I am all about Black-owned businesses. I worked in corporate America for over 20 years and when I left, I knew where my calling was,” Jennings-Cusseaux said. “DSI Black Pages is the longest-running, minority-focused publication in the Tampa Bay Area. What I would love to see, is during the month of August, not just Black folk, if all of us look for a Black-owned business. Because we have not had the same privileges as other businesses.”
Jennings-Cusseaux introduced 10 Tampa Bay to some of the people in her network who are featured in DSI Black Pages.
Kerrick Williams works just feet from Jennings-Cusseaux's office. He is one of many business owners in Tampa’s Collaborative Exchange. He’s the co-owner of his photography company.
Williams insists we should all take some ownership in supporting Black businesses.
“It gives startup businesses and established businesses and established businesses a place to collaborate,” Williams said. “It’s not just about the month. We do business all year long.”
Jennings-Cusseaux said there's an event on Aug. 30 called The Power of 31. It will be held at The Well in Lakeland. Jennings-Cusseaux said DSI Black Pages is hosting 31 ways in 31 days to spend at least $31 with Black-owned businesses in the Bay Area.
To subscribe to DSI Black Pages: https://dsiblackpages.com/